Yala National Park

Lore & Background

The area around Yala has hosted several ancient civilizations, with two important Buddhist pilgrim sites, Sithulpahuwa and Magul Vihara, situated within the park. On March 23, 1900, the government proclaimed Yala and Wilpattu reserves under the Forest Ordinance, initially covering 389 km² between the Menik and Kumbukkan Rivers. The Game Protection Society (now the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society) was instrumental in establishing the reserve.

Reader's Guide

Yala National Park is significant as a protected area that conserves key species such as the Sri Lankan elephant and Sri Lankan leopard, and serves as one of 70 Important Bird Areas in Sri Lanka. Its designation as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and later as a national park in 1938 reflects early conservation efforts in Sri Lanka. The park's diverse ecosystems—from moist monsoon forests to marine wetlands—support a wide range of flora and fauna, including 215 bird species and 44 mammal species. The 2004 tsunami caused severe localized damage, and studies of radio-collared elephants showed their movements were consistent with immediate cues from the tsunami waves rather than a 'sixth sense'. The park also contains ancient Buddhist pilgrim sites, linking natural heritage with cultural history. Its establishment involved early collaboration between the Game Protection Society and the government, and the 1958 photograph of a game ranger with a rescued leopard cub highlights early human–wildlife coexistence efforts.

Did You Know?

• Yala National Park was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and became a national park on 25 February 1938.
• The park covers 979 km² and borders the Indian Ocean.
• The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami caused severe damage to the park, with around 250 people killed and about 5,000 ha of habitat affected.