Wild Nature Reserve to National Park In" Minneriya",Sri Lanka.

Minneriya-Giritale has been upgraded from a nature reserve to a national park because of its popularity with visitors seeking elephants. As it is located in the centre of the Cultural Triangle, it adds in natural dimension to a holiday gazing at ruins. Because it is not so well known, the park attracts fewer visitors, although it is a fascinating introduction to Sri Lanka’s wildlife. Elephants can sometimes be seen beside the main road running close to the park.Naturally, elephant in the national park. For bird life, the Giritale sanctuary is rewarding, ranging from the sparrow-sized Tickells blue flycatcher to the brown fish owl and the black-headed ibis. There are 70 species of bird that can be seen in the National Park.Minneriya National Park is situated in the north-central plains of Sri Lanka, 20 kilometers from Polonnaruwa. Even though it is one of the smallest national parks in the country, covering just 8,889 hectares, it’s a paradise with many natural wonders. The park encompasses the beautiful Minneriya tank, built by King Mahasena (in 3rd century AD). This tank is an incredible place to observe the elephants that come to bathe and graze on the grasses as well as the huge flocks of birds (cormorants, painted storks, open-bills, Pelicans and many other species of waders) that come to fish in the shallow waters.

                                        Distance from colombo to Minneriya:202km.