Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Gardens of Sri Lanka represent a significant national asset of the country. Being established in the early nineteenth century, the National Botanic Gardens have now become major tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. Over 2 million people visit these botanic gardens annually for relaxation, entertainment, recreation, education, botany and horticulture.
Botanic gardens of Sri Lanka have a collection of over 6,000 diverse living plant species on display arranged in attractive, systematic and exciting ways. The gardens are oasis of beautifully cultivated flowers and trees of carefully designed and meticulously maintained environments.
Currently, there are five botanic gardens and one medicinal plant garden in Sri Lanka. Three of the botanic gardens were established by the British; i.e. Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya, Hakgala Botanic Gardens and Gampaha Botanic Gardens. The botanic garden in Mirijjawila is the first botanic garden developed by local experts after 130 years and opened in 2013. Another new botanic garden is being established in Avissawella for ex-situ conservation of Wet Zone plants and will be opened soon.