Minneriya National Park

Minneriya National Park which is situated in the North Central province and was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1938 and then designated as a national park on 12 August 1997. The park serves as a sanctuary for numerous species of flora and fauna, monkeys endemic to Sri Lanka, rare and endangered animal species and many migrant and resident species of birds. The Minneriya National Park has a water tank and the historical importance of this water tank is that it was constructed in the 3rd century CE and continues to sustain the various species of life forms till today.

 

The wildlife that can be seen at this park include animal species like the Purple-faced Langur and Toque Macaque, the Sri Lankan Leopard and Sri Lankan Sloth Bear, Sri Lankan Sambar Deer, Sri Lankan Axis Deer , the Gray Slender Loris; bird species like the Lesser Adjutant, Painted Stork, Spot-billed Pelican, Little Cormorants, Great White Pelican, Ruddy Turnstone, Grey Heron, Sri Lanka Jungle fowl, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Brown-capped Babbler, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Black-crested Bulbul and Crimson-fronted Barbet as well as reptiles like the Painted-lip Lizard, Saltwater Crocodile, Indian python, Water monitor and Bengal monitor.