Wasgamuwa National Park is located in Matale and Polonnaruwa Districts, Sri Lanka. It was originally designated as a nature reserve in 1938 and later upgraded to a national park in 1984 to provide a refuge for wildlife displaced by the Mahaweli Development Project.

Key Features

• Location: Matale & Polonnaruwa Districts, Sri Lanka
• Size: 39,322 hectares
• Climate: Dry-zone with an annual rainfall of 1,650–2,100mm
• Best Time to Visit: November to May (for elephant sightings)
• Wildlife:
  • Mammals: Sri Lankan elephants, sloth bears, leopards, water buffalo, wild boar, sambar deer
  • Birds: Endemic species like Sri Lanka junglefowl, painted storks, and white-bellied sea eagles
  • Reptiles & Amphibians: Mugger crocodiles, estuarine crocodiles, water monitors
• Flora: Dry-zone forests with riverine vegetation and grasslands
• Historical Significance: The park contains ancient irrigation tanks and ruins of Chulangani Chaitya, built by King Mahanaga