Udawalawe National Park lies on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces, in Sri Lanka. The national park was created to provide a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River, as well as to protect the catchment of the reservoir. The reserve covers 30,821 hectares (119.00 sq mi) of land area and was established on 30 June 1972.[1] Before the designation of the national park, the area was used for shifting cultivation (chena farming). The farmers were gradually removed once the national park was declared. The park is 165 kilometres (103 mi) from Colombo. Udawalawe is an important habitat for water birds and Sri Lankan elephants. It is a popular tourist destination and the third most visited park in the country.[2] HOW TO GET THERE: Colombo – Ratnapura – Pelmadulla – Kahawatta – Madampe – Colambage Ara – Udawalawa Junction – turn left to Udawalawa. (4 hours) BIRDS AT UDAWALAWA NATIONAL PARK Large prinia, White-browed Prinia, Ashy Prinia, Franklins Prinia, Yellow-eyed Babbler, White-throated Babbler, White-rumped Shama, Brown-capped Babbler, Black-fronted Babbler, Common & Marshall’s Iora, Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Blue-faced Malkoha, White-necked Stork, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Blyth’s Pipit, Crested Honey Buzzard, Crested Hawk Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Black-winged Kite, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Sirkeer, Hoopoe, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Pied Flycatcher Shrike, Black-capped Bulbul, Barred Bustard Quail, Indian Pea Fowl, Alpine Swift, House Swift, Great Stone Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Orange-headed Ground Thrush, Forest Eagle Owl, Brown Wood Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Barn Owl, Little Scops Owl, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Indian Pitta, Common Kingfisher, Openbill, Painted Stork, Spoonbill, Rosy Starling, Ceylon Jungle Fowl and many more. Location Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces, Sri Lanka Nearest city Ratnapura Coordinates 6°26′18.04″N 80°53′18.44″ECoordinates: 6°26′18.04″N 80°53′18.44″E Area 30,821 ha Established June 30, 1972 Visitors 452,000 (in 1994-2001) Governing body Department of Wildlife Conservation