විල්පත්තු ජාතික උද්‍යානය

Wilpattu National Park (Willu-pattu; Land of Lakes) is a park located on the island of Sri Lanka. The unique feature of this park is the existence of "Willus" (Natural lakes) - Natural, sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that fill with rainwater. Located in the Northwest coast lowland dry zone of Sri Lanka. The park is located 30 km west Anuradhapura and located 26 km north of Puttalam (approximately 180 km north of Colombo). The park is 131, 693 hectares and ranges from 0 to 152 meters above sea level. Nearly sixty lakes (Willu) and tanks are found spread throughout Wilpattu. Wilpattu is the largest and one of the oldest National Parks in Sri Lanka. Wilpattu is among the top national parks world renowned for its Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) population. The Leopard population in Wilpattu is still not yet known. Location 185km away from Colombo, North Western and North Central provinces, Sri Lanka Nearest city Anuradhapura Coordinates 8°26′N 80°00′ECoordinates: 8°26′N 80°00′E Area 131667.1 ha Established December 25, 1938 Governing body Department of Wildlife Conservation HOW TO GET THERE: - Colombo – Negombo – Chilaw – Puttlam – Tabbowa – turn left at the Wilpattu board few Kilometers before the Nochchiyagama town. (4 hours) BIRDS AT WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK Brown-capped Babbler, White-rumped Shama, Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Pintail Snipe, Ceylon Jungle Fowl, Black-tailed Godwit, Great Stone Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Ceylon Green Pigeon, Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Racket-tailed Drongo, Forest Eagle Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Black-backed Yellow Woodpecker, Rufus Woodpecker, Golden-backed Woodpecker, Hoopoe, Common Kestrel, Crested Hawk Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Ceylon Frog Mouth and many more.