Gal Oya National Park
Gal Oya National Park was established in 1954 and it serves as the main catchment for SenanayakeSamudraya, the largest reservoir in Sri Lanka. SenanayakeSamudraya was built under the Gal Oya Development Project by daming the Gal Oya at Inginiyagala in 1950. An important feature of the Gal Oya National Park is its elephant herd that can be seen throughout the year. Three most important and commonly used herbs of the Ayurveda medicine; Aralu, Bulu and Nelli are amongst the flora of the forest. From 1954 to 1965 the park was administrated by the Gal Oya Development Board until the Department of Wildlife Conservation took over its administration. The National Park is situated 314 kms from Colombo. The protected areas established in 1954 are Gal Oya National Park, SenanayakeSamudraya Sanctuary, Gal Oya Valley North-east Sanctuary, and Gal Oya Valley South-east Sanctuary which accounts for 63,000 hectares of land. Rangers are stationed in four sites: Inginiyagala, Mullegama, Nil Gala and Baduluwela. Additionally in 1974 Buddangala was named a Sanctuary and also designated. Buddangala is a monastery with ruins of a Stupa and other buildings in the nearby Malwatta area.
The vegetation of the forest is of three types; forests, shrubs and grasslands. The national park contains a substantial area of Savannah grasslands called Thalawa in Sinhala and mountainous grasslands called Pathana. Thalawa grassland is dominated by rough grass species, Mana and Iluk. The burnt Thalawa grasslands are known as the Damana grasslands and are used for cattle grazing by villagers. Rare plants of medicinal value are also found in this forest.
Thirty two terrestrial ground mammals have been recorded in the park. The Sri Lankan Elephant, Sri Lankan Axis Deer, Muntjac, Water Buffalo, Sri Lankan Sambar Deer, Sri Lanka Leopard, Toque Monkey and Wild Boar are among them. Included amongst the amphibian species of the park are the Mugger Crocodile and Star Tortoise. More than 150 species of birds have been in Gal Oya. The Lesser Adjutant, Spot-billed Pelican and Red-faced Malkoha are some of the park's resident birds. The Indian Cormorant, Oriental Darter, Grey Heron, and Lesser Whistling Duck are among the common water birds of the Senanayake reservoir. White-bellied Sea Eagle and the Grey-headed Fish Eagle are the notable raptors of the area. Gal Oya National Park's butterfly species include the endemic Lesser Albatross.
Access Route:- Colombo via Ratnapura - Pelmadulla -UdaWalawe - Tanamalwila - Wellawaya - Moneragala -Siyambalanduwa - Inginiyagala - Approximately 300 kms from Colombo.
Gal Oya National Park:- Tel: 063-224 2002
Opening & Closing Time: 7.00 AM - 6.00 PM (Tickets will not be issued after 3.00 PM)
