Episode 6 – Wasgamuwa National Park

Ruins of canals such as the Kalinga Yoda Ela, Malagamuwa, Wilmitiya and Dastota, which are believed to have been built during the reign of King Parakramabahu I era of 1153-1186, can still be seen in the Wasgamuwa National Park which is enriched with water sources.Yudaganapitiya, the battlefield where King Dutugemunu and King Elara are believed to have encamped is also located in Wasgamuwa National Park and the Arahants who suspected that the battle would be an obstacle to the future of the Sasana, the mountain that was created to prevent it iscalled ArahantMavu Kanda (රහතුන් මැවූ කන්ද). The park is considered to be a famous cultural site as 1800-year-old Buddha statue and a number of ancient stone pillars are located.

Climatic conditions akin to arid and intermediate zones are exist and it is mostly affected by the Northeast monsoon rains in October-February. Although the inter-monsoon rains occur in March-May, the best time to visit is June-September, when the rainfall is low. Annual rainfall ranges from 1,750 mm in the north to 2,250mm in the south. The average annual temperature is around 27 degrees Celsius and there are slight variations throughout the year. During the Southwest monsoon season (May-August) the wind speed is high and dry and during the north-east monsoon it is low and humid.

The park is located in three drainage basins of the Mahaweli River i.e., Amban River and Kalu River and is fed by streams such as KarapanaEla, KiruleEla, VeddigeEla, PalugahaEla, MidiraneEla, NawagahaEla and WasgamuOya. The rivers in the park are fed by streams that flow from the spectacular White Mountain, which is usually about 470 m above sea level. Rivers and the upper water catchment areas of the park have reddish brown soil as well as silty soil. The area is also rich in mineral resources such as condolite, thiruvana and marble. The high biodiversity of the National Park is also due to the increase in soil fertility and (topographical?) diversity due to the four rivers that flow through the park.

Wasgamuwa Forests represent the dry evergreen forests of Sri Lanka and showcase the highest biodiversity in Sri Lanka, including primary forests, secondary forests, riverine forests, and grasslands, thorny and rocky areas. More than 150 plant species have been reported from the park. Aquatic herb Cryptocoryne walkeri and medicinal herb Binkohomba are two rare species of plants of economic value. The forest consists of several layers and the upper layer plants are satin, palu, velan, kaluwara, milla, weera and halmilla plants and other layers of plants such as divul, red va and katupila associated with the scrub forest.

Reservoirs and riverine forests support large species, with 23 species of mammals, 149 species of birds, 8 species of amphibians, 17 species of reptiles and fish which are the habitantsof the Wasgamuwa Park.