Wilpattu National Park

Lore & Background

The Mahavansa records that in 543 BC Prince Vijaya landed at Tambapanni, establishing the Sinhalese kingdom. In 1905 the area was designated a sanctuary, and in 1938 it was upgraded to national park status.

From December 1988 to 16 March 2003, the park was closed due to security concerns surrounding the Sri Lankan Civil War. Visitor access is currently limited to approximately 25% of the park, the remainder being dense forest or scrub. Popular visiting periods span between February and October, though some private ecotourism groups conduct safaris year-round.

Nearly 106 lakes (Willu) and tanks are found spread throughout the park. Vegetation includes littoral vegetation such as salt grass and low scrub monsoon forest with tall emergents like palu, satin, milla, weera, ebony, and wewarna. Threatened mammal species include the elephant, sloth bear, leopard, and water buffalo.

Reader's Guide

Wilpattu National Park holds significance as one of Sri Lanka's oldest protected areas, with a history tied to early Sinhalese settlement and ancient Roman contact. Its unique Willu (natural lakes) system supports a diverse ecosystem. The park is particularly noted for its leopard population: a 2015 camera survey captured photographs of 49 individual leopards, and a more extensive 2018 survey covering about 660 km² captured 133 individual leopards, estimating a density of 18 leopards per 100 km² and a mean abundance of 144 leopards within the effectively sampled area. The park also hosts 31 mammal species, numerous bird species including the painted stork and Sri Lankan junglefowl, and reptiles such as the mugger crocodile and Sri Lankan python. The park's boundary was expanded in 2012, which has been noted as a significant obstacle for internally displaced people, particularly those affected by the Expulsion of Muslims from the Northern Province by the LTTE. After the civil war, allegations arose that parts of the reserve had been occupied to build houses, though some argue these were people returning to original villages. Aerial images from 2018 reportedly show forest clearing and house construction in the area.

Did You Know?

• Wilpattu National Park was closed from December 1988 to 16 March 2003 due to the Sri Lankan Civil War.
• A 2018 camera trap survey estimated a leopard density of 18 leopards per 100 km² in the park.
• The park's unique 'Willus' are natural, sand-rimmed water basins that fill with rainwater.