Somawathiya National Park

Lore & Background

Somawathiya National Park lies in the deltaic flood plains of the Mahaweli River. The Verugal Oya is a separate river that joins the Mahaweli near the coast, not a branch of the Mahaweli. The central riparian flood plain features many old river channels and dispersed 'villus'—water-filled basins among grassy plains—with 20 such villus located in the park. The high-quality habitat of fertile alluvial underlying layers supports plentiful wildlife.

Reader's Guide

The park's significance stems from its dual role as a protected area for wetland ecosystems and as a pilgrimage site. The historic Somawathiya Chaitya, built by Prince Abhaya to enshrine a relic of the tooth of the Buddha, is increasingly popular due to reported miracles such as beams of light and unusual apparitions. Ecologically, the park is important for megaherbivores like elephants (estimated at 400 within the protected area and adjacent surroundings, though a 2007 study suggested 50–100 individuals) and rich avifauna, including around 75 migrant species. The park is contiguous with Flood Plains National Park and Trikonamadu Nature Reserve, and is part of a systems plan for protected areas within the Mahaweli Region. Despite past exploitation from tobacco cultivation and cattle grazing, the area's moisture and high carrying capacity of the villus allow for quick regeneration once human activity is removed.

Did You Know?

• The park was originally designated a wildlife sanctuary on 9 August 1966 before becoming a national park on 2 September 1986.
• Somawathiya Chaitya is said to contain a relic of the tooth of the Buddha, enshrined by Prince Abhaya.
• The park contains 20 water-filled basins called 'villus' within its central flood plain.
• A 2007 study estimated the elephant herd in Somawathiya at 50–100 individuals, though a broader estimate is 400.