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Elephant at Yala. Author Satheesinthu.

Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Yala National Park

Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka bordering the Indian Ocean. The area was initially abandoned but later reclaimed by the government.

On 23rd March 1900, the government proclaimed Yala and Wilpattu reserves under the Forest Ordinance. On the first date of March 1938, Yala was transformed into a national park when the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance was passed into law by the minister of agriculture.

Yala National covers nine hundred and seventy-nine square kilometres (378 metres square) and is located about three hundred kilometres from Colombo. The park has five blocks, two are now open to the public, and also adjoining parks.

These blocks have individual names which include Ruhuna National Park (Block one) and Kumana National Park or Yala East for the adjoining area. Yala National Park is situated in the southeast region of the country. It also lies in Southern Province and Uva Province.

This park is best known for the variety of wild animals found here. It is an important area for the conservation of Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopard and aquatic birds. The park is a nice place to tour and have great family experiences.

Here are the top 10 Remarkable Facts about Yala National Park:

1. The Park Area is Composed of Metamorphic Rock and Topographically Flat

Yala National Park is a unique area made of unique features. The area is mostly composed of metamorphic rock belonging to the Precambrian era.

This metamorphic rock is classified into two series, the Vijayan series and the Highland series. The reddish brown soil and low humic grey soil are more prominent among the six soil types at the park.

Yala park is situated in the lowest peneplain of Sri Lanka that extends from Trincomalee to Hambantota. Its topography is flat and mildly undulating plain that runs to the coast with an elevation of thirty metres.

2. Yala had been a Centre of Past Civilisations

Picture of Yala National Park, in Sri Lanka. Author Patty Ho

It is believed that Yala was a past centre of civilisation. The area is strategically located along the Indian Ocean which was an important link during the modernisation and civilisation period.

The Mythical Hindu anti-hero, King Ravana is believed to have established his kingdom around but it was submerged by the sea. Long-distance traders brought Indo-Aryan civilisation with them to Yala.

The evidence for this is the large number of ancient disregarded tanks found in the park. These tanks signify the rich hydraulic and agricultural civilisation that dated back to the 5th century. Agriculture flourished in this area which is full of vegetation during the rainy season.

3. The Park has Five Major Blocks

Yala National park is a large area where tourists enjoy their tours and create new experiences. The large area of Yala National Park consists of five blocks.

Subsequently, four other blocks were incorporated into the Yala park. The five blocks of Yala include Block one which occupies 14,101 hectares, Block two which occupies 9,931 hectares, Block Three which consists of 40,775 hectares, Block Four which consists of 26,418 hectares and Block Five which consists of 6,656 hectares.

4. There’s a Pilgrimage Site that 400,000 Pilgrims Visit Annually

Other than being a national park, Yala park also has another major function which has attracted several people. It is also a pilgrimage area that several pilgrims visit annually.

The Situlpahuwa pilgrimage site is located in the park. It is geographically located in Block III.

The pilgrimage site has a kind of enclave status which is accessible FOC through separate roads from Tissa and Kataragama. At least 400,000 pilgrims visit this area annually.

5. Yala National Park is the Most Visited Park in Sri Lanka

Yala National Park. Author Asirilak

The park has been most frequented by thousands of tourists annually. It is the most visited park in Sri Lanka.

In the year 2002, around one hundred and fifty-six thousand, eight hundred and sixty-seven tourists visited the park. Both local and international tourists usually visit the Yala National Park.

It is reported that Europeans account for thirty per cent of the total visitors. Block one is the most visited area in the National park.

6. The Park has been Susceptible to Terrorist Attacks in the Past Years which Cooled Down

Yala National park is a remarkable place to visit and pass time and enjoy the scenery. However, in the past, the park had been susceptible to terrorist attacks.

On 17th October 2007, a group of LTTE cadres launched an attack on an army detachment in Thalgasmankada in the national park. This attack killed six army soldiers while another one was caught up in a landmine.

Later on 11th July 2008, four people were killed in an attack launched by the same LTTE. This time, the cadres opened fire at a bus which was carrying pilgrims to Kataragama. However, after the end of the civil, calm was restored and there were no more attacks.

7. Yala Park has been a Source of Revenue for the Country and Businesses

Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka, bordering the Indian Ocean. Author Annelicious i.

Yala national park has contributed greatly to the economic growth of Sri Lanka. Income has been generated from the visitors who tour the park.

In 2000, Lodge fees generated a massive income of approximately $468,629. In the period between 2008 and 2009, revenue has been high.

More than ten thousand visitors visited the Yala National Park. During this period, the revenue increased to $235,000 from $154,000.

8. There is a Huge Variety of Ecosystem in the Park

The Yala National Park has an important ecosystem within it. A vast area of the park is covered with ecosystems which include moist monsoon forests, dry monsoon forests, semi-deciduous forests, thorn forests, grasslands, marshes, marine wetlands and sandy beaches.

The block that is mostly covered under forest is usually Block one and rangelands of open parkland. Some area is restricted to tourists and any other people for security purposes.

9. Yala National Park has a wide range of Fauna

Yala National Park. Author Asirilak.

The Yala National Park is also an important area with a wide range of fauna. At least all kinds of animals and birds can be found in the park.

Some of Sri Lanka’s endemic species of birds are found in the park. Other than a wide range of birds in the park, there are different species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. Tourists love spending their time watching the beautiful ecosystem of the Yala National Park.

10. The Park was Impacted by the 2004 Tsunami

Yala National park is found along the Indian Ocean. In 2004, it was greatly affected by a tsunami.

The park lay directly in the path of the Indian Ocean tsunami that impacted Sri Lanka for 90 minutes. It caused severe but localised damage to the park.

Around two fifty people were killed in this disaster. The wave was 20 feet high and reached the inland only through the river-mouth gaps in the coastal dunes.