The current area of Wilpattu is a historically very important area that includes "Thambhapanni" (the beach with copper colour sand) where prince Vijaya had first arrived on the island of Lanka and met Kuveni (a princess of the Yakkha tribe that ruled the island). "Kudiramalai" (Horse Mountain) is an ancient harbour in the area, first claimed to be administered by a tribal warrior queen known as Alli-sarani (or Alli-rani, whom some believe to be none other that Kuveni) who controlled the pearl trade in the Bay of Mannar area, through her all-female army. She is said to have traded pearls in exchange to Arabian horses. The tomb of a Muslim saint that was found in the Kudiramalai beach area is believed to be an evidence of the Arab trade links of the area. It is said that there was a statute of a horse on the mound above the harbour that gave it its name 'Kudiramalai'. The Romans had called the port "Hippuros" (also meaning Horse Mountain') and had trade relations since the time of Emperor Cloaudius (41-54 AD). These photos of the brick base of where the horse statue had been and the tomb of the Muslim saint at Kudiramalai were taken in May 2011. Unfortunately now visitors are not permitted to go to this area, the reason been that visitors are said to have vandalised these monuments, and polluted the area....
harithacharika - Travelling Nature in Sri Lanka
This Blog contains Photos taken mainly by Aruna Sylva & Kumari Gamage (& others if mentioned otherwise). For more information please E-Mail harithaaruna@yahoo.com or write to ARUNA/KUMARI, No 24, First stage, Sunnymadewatta, Galkanda Road, Imbulgasdeniya, Sri Lanka.
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
The Wipattu National Park (03 of 03)
The Wilpattu National park is one of the largest and oldest national parks in Sri Lanka, covering an area of 1,317 km2 (131,693 hectares). Situated in the Northwest coastal lowland dry zone of the country, Wilpattu ranges between 0-152m above sea level. One of the unique topographical features of the park is that it has more than one-hundred-and-six tanks and lakes (Willus). “Willu” are natural sand rimmed water basins that area filled with rainwater. While these Willus mainly contain fresh or brackish water, two of Wilpattu’s willus are said to contain saline water. Following the long rainy season, all willus and lakes of the park were full during the time of our visit. Hence instead of the usual tracks that cut across the sandy beds of the willus, we had to take by-roads through the forest areas.
THE WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK (02 of 03)
The Wilpattu National park is one of the largest and oldest national parks in Sri Lanka, covering an area of 1,317 km2 (131,693 hectares). Situated in the Northwest coastal lowland dry zone of the country, Wilpattu ranges between 0-152m above sea level. One of the unique topographical features of the park is that it has more than one-hundred-and-six tanks and lakes (Willus). “Willu” are natural sand rimmed water basins that area filled with rainwater. While these Willus mainly contain fresh or brackish water, two of Wilpattu’s willus are said to contain saline water. Following the long rainy season, all willus and lakes of the park were full during the time of our visit. Hence instead of the usual tracks that cut across the sandy beds of the willus, we had to take by-roads through the forest areas.
Changeable Hawk Eagle |
Blue-tailed Bee-eater |
Blue-tailed Bee-eater |
Black-headed Monarch |
Common Redshank |
Crested Tern |
Lesser Whistling duck |
Great Egret |
Emerald Dove |
Malabar Pied Hornbill |
Malabar Pied Hornbill |
Sri Lanka Jungle fowl |
Common Kingfisher |
Red-wattled Lapwing |
Red-wattled Lapwing |
Lesser Adjutant |
Marsh Sandpiper |
Orange-breasted Green Pigeon |
Orange-headed Thrush |
Orange-headed Thrush |
Little Grebe |
Little Grebe (Breeding male) |
Paddy-field Pipit |
Greater Sand Plover |
Pacific Golden Plover |
Little Ringed Plover |
Pacific Golden Plover |
Indian Pond Heron (juvenile) |
White-rumped Shama |
White-rumped Shama |
Black-winged Stilt (Breeding male) |
Great Thick-knee |
Tawny-billed Babbler [Photo: Dimal Silva] |