| Kaudulla National Park | |
|---|---|
 A Sri Lanka Green Pigeon in Kaudulla National Park | |
  Kaudulla National Park | |
| Location | North Central province, Sri Lanka |
| Nearest city | Polonnaruwa |
| Coordinates | 8°09′40″N 80°54′18″E / 8.16111°N 80.90500°E |
| Area | 6,900 ha |
| Established | April 01, 2002 |
| Visitors | 10,000[1] (in 2005) |
| Governing body | Department of Wildlife Conservation |
Kaudulla National Park is a national park on the island of Sri Lanka located 197 kilometres (122 mi) away from the largest city, Colombo. It was designated a national park on April 1, 2002, becoming the 15th such area on the island. In the 2004–2005 season more than 10,000 people visited the National Park, generating an income of Rs.100,000 from entrance fees.[1] Along with Minneriya and Girithale BirdLife International have identified Kaudulla as an Important Bird Area.[2]
Historically Kaudulla was one of the 16 irrigation tanks built by King Mahasen.[3] Following a period of abandonment it was reconstructed in 1959. It now attracts and supports a variety of plant and animal life, including large mammals, fish and reptiles.
- ^ a b "Kavudulla National Park nets over Rs. 100,000 in ticket sales". Sunday Observer. 2005-07-31. Archived from the original on 2011-06-05. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
- ^ "Important Bird Areas and potential Ramsar Sites in Asia – Sri Lanka" (PDF). birdlife.org. BirdLife International. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-01-03. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
- ^ Senarathna, P.M. (2004). "Kaudulla Jathika Udhyanaya". Sri Lankawe Jathika Vanodhyana (in Sinhala) (2nd ed.). Sarasavi Publishers. pp. 208–210. ISBN 955-573-346-5.