Wilpattu national park is situated on the North-west coast of Sri Lanka in the dry zone. The park is famous for its natural lakes or “Willus.” These are natural sand rimmed water basins that fill up with water. The park is 1,317 sq. kilometers and has over 60 natural lakes within its precincts. Wilpattu is one of the largest and oldest parks in Sri Lanka and is famous for its leopards. Data collected on this park depicts that there are over 49 leopards within the park.
The Mahavansa records that Vijaya arrived at Tambapanni in 543 BC, now known as Kudrimalai Point (Horse Point), created the Sinhalese Kingdom in Tambapanni, and established a Sinhalese country. The area was designated a sanctuary in 1905 and in 1938 it was upgraded to the status of the National Park.’ Kudrimalai, or Horse Point, was visited in 47 AD by Emperor Claudius, who was blown off course by the monsoon. Later, during Pliny’s time, the local king sent his own envoys to Rome during the era of Pliny.
The Wilkpattu national park is also home to many species of birds and reptiles. The park also has its own flora of beautiful trees which are very old in age. The common reptiles found in the park are the mugger crocodile, the common cobra, rat snake, Indian python and pond turtles.
The park underwent a period of turmoil during the civil ethnic war which prevailed in Sri Lanka for 30 years. The situation although has ended, now see deforestation taking place due to political influences over this park. The authorities are trying their best to stop this deforestation and to preserve the former beauty of this park which is world renowned.
Sri Lanka’s beauty of wild life lies in the national parks of Yala and Wilpattu.
