Yala National Park is situated in the south-east region of Sri Lanka and is the 2nd largest National Park in the island, situated some 300 km away from Colombo. It was at first established in the early 1890s as a game sanctuary . The park is located in the dry-zone region where the drought season is very long .The day time average temperature is over 30 degrees which is not uncommon in the region. The parkland makes up most of the reserve but also includes lakes, beaches, jungle, rivers and scrubland. This variety in habitats provides an excellent range in wildlife. The largest concentration of Leopards can be seen in this region though the chances of seeing this animal are very low, and the creature is said to be one of the most endangered species. About 32 species of mammals, 125 species of birds and many reptiles and lagoon fauna species have been recorded in the park. The Yala National Park is famous among visitors as the best place to view large mammals within one territory.
History
The Yala National Reserve was a part of the Ruhuna Kingdom. The Situl Pahuwa temple housed more than 12000 inhabitants. The Magul Mahavihara, which is also another temple within the park was the place where King Kawantissa and Vihara Maha Devi were married.
Cultural Significance
Yala was where Ravana established his kingdom. The many mane-made tanks show that yala was used as an agricultural center with an intensive irigation system. The temple Situlpahuwa is within Yala and was built during the 87 BC and the Akasa Stupa in 2 BC. During the colonial era Yala was used as a place to hunt down game. Even today more than 400,000 pilgrims visit the stupas within the confinements of thepark.
