World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka – 7 sites

Virgin forests, royal and sacred cities, cliff top citadels, colonial strongholds and temple caves – with no fewer than seven World Heritage Sites declared and listed by UNESCO, Sri Lanka is one of Asia’s richest treasure troves of both natural and man made wonders.

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Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Sinharaja Forest Reserve

The Sinharaja Forest Reseserve This tropical rain forest is a living heritage. Bio diversity of the forest is very high and a large proportion of the flora in this forest is endemic to the country and some endemic to the Singharaja Forest itself. This is a very good place to see many endemic birds such as Ceylon Lorikeet, Layard’s parakeet, Jungle and Spur Fowl, Ceylon Wood Pigeon, Grey Hombill, Spotted wing Thrush, Rufous and Brown- capped Babbler, Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush, Ceylon Blue Magpie, White Headed Starling, Ceylon Hill Mynha, Legge’s Flowerpecker. The clear cut roads in to the jungle provide easy access to the forest. This important forest is a Man and Biosphere Forest reserve and it is considered as a World Heritage Site.[/column]

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The sacred city of Anuradhapura (4 BC)
The sacred city of Anuradhapura
(4 BC)
The Cave Temples of Dambulla (1 BC)
The Cave Temples of Dambulla
(1 BC)
The Medieval capital of Polonnaruwa (10 AD)
The Medieval capital of Polonnaruwa (10 AD)

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The Sigiriya rock fortress (5 AD)
The Sigiriya rock fortress (5 AD)

 

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The Royal City of Kandy (17 AD)
The Royal City of Kandy (17 AD)

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The Duch Fortifications at Galle (17 AD)
The Duch Fortifications at Galle (17 AD)

 

Text Books for G.C.E. Advanced Level Biology

Author: Dr Hiran Amarasekera
Senior Lecturer, Department of Forestry and Environment Science
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Published by Biology Study Centre, Kottawa

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Biodiverstity book by Prof.Hiran Amarasekara
ISBN 955 8601 02 0
First edition (2004) is now available.
The book includes followiing chapters:
1. What is Biodiversity?
2. Classification and Nomenclaure
3. Biodiversity of Five Kingdoms
4. Evolution of Biodiveristy
5. Extinction of Biodiversity
6. Bidiversity conservation
7. Importance of studying Biodiversity
8. Sri Lankan Biodiversity Book is available from leading book stores in Sri Lanka

Price: Rs 200.00

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Man and Environment, book by Prof.Hiran Amarasekara
ISBN 995-8601-00-4
Fourth edition (2004) is now available.
The book includes followiing chapters:
1. Basic Principles of Ecology
2. The Concept of Natural Resources
3. Man’s relationship to the environment
4. Degradation of Environment
5. Pollution of the environment
6. Management of the Environment Book is available from leading book stores in Sri Lanka

Price: Rs 190.00
Contact author
Biomes – Gallery

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National Parks

Compiled By L.A.M.C.Amarasekara
Forestry and environment socitey, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Horton Plains National Park

Horton Plains

 

The Horton Plains National Park is the only national park situated in the wet zone of the country and falls within the Nuwara Eliya district. Situated 2300m above sea level this national park has different climatic conditions and habitat to all the other national parks. Almost all life forms in Horton Plains are adapted to the high altitude conditions. There are a lot of endemic flora and fauna found in the plains itself. The endemicity among fauna is comparatively high. Bear Monkey (race of the Purple Face leaf Monkey), Sambhur and Leopard are some interesting mammals. One would also find several endemic hill country birds in the Horton plains national park. The panoramic scenic beauty of the hill country could be witnessed within the park. The famous “World’s End” and “Bakers Falls” are major attractions. The Kirigalpotta, second highest peak and the Thotapola, third highest peak of the country are also situated in the Horton plains.

Yala National Park

The Ruhunu (Yala) National Park is one of the largest national parks in the Country with 103,882.9 hectares. It is situated 300 K.m. south of Colombo on the southeast shore of Sri Lanka. This National Park has several habitat types such as forests, scrub lands, grass lands, lagoons, beaches and other wetlands. This is the most visited national park of the country and its main attractions are Elephants, Leopards, Sloth Bears, Crocodiles, migratory and resident birds. Most appealing is the overall ‘feel’ of undisturbed jungle. Big rock formations, Tanks, Beaches and the Lagoons amplify the scenic beauty. A safari jeep ride will take you to close encounters with the wild beasts and to the beauty of the park and make it an unforgettable experience of your life.

Kithulgala Forest Reserve

Kithulgala Forest Reserve

The Kithulgala forest is a secondary rain forest situated beside the Kelani River, one of our longest rivers. There is a tributary flowing through the forest to this river. The forest reserve has a high biodiversity. Though it is mostly secondary forest, it’s faunal and floral diversity is very similar to a primary forest. Wild boar, Toque Macaque, Purple faced leaf monkey, and Barking deer are some of the interesting mammal species.Among the interesting bird species Red faced Malkoha, Ceylon Blue Magpie, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Frog Mouth and Layard’s Parakeet are outstanding.

Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe National Park is situated in both intermediate zone and the dry zone. Udawalawe park is adjacent to the Udawalawe reservoir and Walawe river. The extent of the Udawalawe park is approximately 30821 hectares and is situated 170km south east of Colombo. This park lies between Rathnapura and Moneragala districts. Though rain forests, scrub lands, and teak plantations are the habitat types of this park, grasslands with tall grass and occasional trees and bushes decorates the land for the living herds of wild Elephants. Udawalawe, is probably one of the best places to see wild elephants in Sri Lanka!

Bundala National Park

Bundala National Park

Bundala National Park is the only ‘RAMSAR’ site in Sri Lanka, which lies in south arid zone of the country. This national park consists of many large and small water bodies such as lagoons, tanks (reservoirs) and salt pans. Apart from the wetlands, the park consists of dry thorny scrub forest short in height. This type of forest is unique to the dry and arid parts of the country. The water bodies create a good feeding ground for the wetland birds, Migratory birds & Flocks of humming birds which attracts many visitors. Migratory birds can be found in very large numbers during the migratory period. A large flock of Flamingos loitering is also a big attraction.