Located in the southernmost corner of the Eastern Province and overflowing slightly into the southeastern corner of the Uva Province, this 357-sq-km National Park, is one of the most picturesque areas of Sri Lanka’s dry zone with a coastline. Best known for the Kumana Villu (a mangrove swamp), where flocks of aquatic birds of varied hues and plumage nest and breed in their thousands. The park is a mixture of wildlife filled plains, lagoons, lagoon shores, jungles, archeologically rich rock outcrops, which house caves and inscriptions from pre-Christian times and miles of rugged desolate beaches inaccessible to travelers due to its protected status. This National Park is a sanctuary for charismatic species and lesser-known species alike, thereby making Kumana one of the island’s hidden gems.
Originally known as Yala East National Park, Kumana was officially declared a National Park in 1969. However, Kumana was a National treasure long before its declaration and enjoyed partial protected status for decades. The Bambaragasthalawa ruins, Bowatagalge cave complex, Lenama, Maha Lenama and Kudumbigala monastery (that lies just North of the park entrance) are some of the most mysterious and legendary sites in this part of the island.
Legend has it that Kumana was closely linked to the existence and disappearance of Sri Lanka’s ‘hobbits’, the ‘Nittaewo’, at the hands of the Lenama Veddahs, the island’s indigenous folk. The subsequent decimation of the Lenama Veddahs by the legendary Lenama leopards (thought to be much bigger and more ferocious than your average leopard), still prevails in whispers amongst villagers.
Each year Kumana opens its gates for two weeks to ‘Pada Yathra’, perhaps the country’s oldest and longest religious pilgrimage, undertaken by Murukan/Skanda (a Hindu deity) devotees. The pilgrimage sees devotees trek hundreds of miles along the East Coast, eventually reaching Okanda (near the park entrance) and traversing the jungles of Kumana and Yala National Park to arrive at Kataragama, a sacred site to devotees of Hindu and Buddhist faith.
The now abandoned Kumana village, one of the country’s only villages to be situated inside a National Park, is said to have been established in 1818 when Sinhalese people fled the upcountry during the ‘Uva Wellasa’ rebellion against occupying British forces. Due to Sri Lanka’s civil war spreading to the East Coast, and the killing of a number of wildlife officers at the park office, villagers evacuated in the late 1980’s and were relocated with government assistance. Remnants of the forgotten village are yet visible today as wilderness slowly reclaims what was once lost.
Kumana Villu
This mangrove swamp of about 500 acres is Kumana’s main attraction and is designated as one of the island’s six Ramsar sites (the highest accreditation a wetland can receive; it is an ecosystem of international importance). The villu is home to thousands of aquatic birds both native and migrant, in which Kirala trees lie, interspersed with Karang and Hambu bushes. It is often visited by many of the other wildlife that reside in the park, making it a must-see.
The villu is a birders paradise. Birds from around the globe arrive between April and June to Kumana to mate, raise their young, and nest. Mid-May and June signals the climax of the nesting season and the atmosphere of the villu is akin to that of a fish market. A hub of activity during these months, it is a site not to be missed. By August many of the young are fledged and with the coming of the North-East monsoon in October, the villu slowly loses the vast number of nesting birds as the flocks migrate on. During the monsoonal months the native birds are visible, yet to witness the spectacle of the thousands of birds, one must return in the drier summer months of the year.
A water-logged intricate maze of roots and reeds, this mangrove swamp plays a vital role in sustaining species, as it acts as a nursery for not only aquatic birds, but many other forms of aquatic life such as fish, reptiles, crocodiles and otters.
Guidelines for Safely Enjoying Natural Habitats
Use reusable bottles and bags to cut plastic waste. Opt for glass bottles or cans instead of plastic when buying sodas. Say no to plastic straws and bags, and bring a reusable bag when shopping.
Avoid bush-meat like wild boar and venison to prevent harm to wildlife. The methods used for capture are illegal and destructive, often harming unintended animals like leopards and fishing cats in snares.
Respect the animals and their habitat. Allowing our natural environment to remain the way it is with minimal disturbance will only make for better sightings and experiences in the wild.
Follow these guidelines and spread the word to friends and family. Engage with your local community and speak out about environmental issues. Your actions can drive real change—don't hesitate to speak up!
