Wetland Cluster in Wilpattu National Park

Situated at the extreme downstream end of the Kala Oya basin, the Wilpattu National Park, is the largest protected area in Sri Lanka, and contains significant biodiversity. The park covers 454 km2 of the Kala Oya basin and receives water from four other river systems. These rivers and rainwater sustain several types of wetlands including ancient irrigation tanks, ‘vil/villus’, water holes, estuaries and lagoons. More than 40 ‘vil/ villus’ (a type of shallow lake) are scattered in the park and these wetlands support a variety of wildlife. Each villu ranges from about 2 to 400 ha in extent, with the largest being the Periya Vila.

Yala East National Park

The two blocks of the National Park are rich in biodiversity and comprise a diversity of habitats including wetlands such as lagoons, water holes, tanks, mangrove, villus and mudflats, and natural rock pools. The main feature is the 200 ha Kumana mangrove swamp and villu surrounded by plains and a dry zone tropical thorn forest. Large saline lagoons are also present along the coast. The park is reputed for its avifauna which congregates in the mangrove and villus areas to nest, while an array of migratory waterfowl and waders also visit the wetlands.

Rekawa Lagoon

Despite being traditionally viewed and referred to as a lagoon, Rekawa is a shallow brackish water estuary, receiving freshwater from the Kirama Oya and connected to the sea via two outlets, one of which is natural in Kapuhenwela and the other a man made canal in Medilla. The presence of mangroves, along with coral reefs and five species of globally threatened marine turtles in nearby coastal waters gives high biological value to the lagoon and surrounding environment. Fisheries are the most important livelihood of the rural village community in the vicinity of the wetland. Lack of employment opportunities has lead to increased dependency on the lagoon resources.