Tucked away in the South east corner of Sri Lanka, almost at the point where the south coast takes its upward curve to the east is the Yala National Park, also known as the Ruhunu National park. The story of this park goes back to the days of the great kingdom of Rohana. Its open, undulating country is studded with rocky formations and lagoons, and it is famous for its elephants. It is also home to the sloth bear, the leopard and the water buffalo. Yala National park is one of the most visited National parks. Yala is also the home for deer, crocodiles, wild bores, monkeys and a multitude of birds including wild peacock and jungle fowl.

Lying south of the central hills of Sri Lanka is this 308 sq. km park establish with the prime objective of conserving the catchments area of the Uda Walawe reservoir. Hundreds of elephants from the heavily exploited jungles around have found protection here and have made it their home. The elephants seen here are magnificent specimens and large herds wander along the river and sometimes in the plains. They are wild and shy. Leopards and bears have rarely been sighted. The park is superb for bird watching especially for the more uncommon species. The park has 32 km of dry-weather road and 10 km of jeep track.

Kumana mangrove swamp is the most spectacular bird sanctuary in Sri Lanka. Usually around June and July millions of birds gather in Kumana mangrove swamp to nest. This is the only place in the island which such large concentrations of resident birds gather for nesting. Kumana is situated in the east cost of Sri Lanka, inside the famous Yala National Park. Most of the  nesting birds in Kumana are water bird species such as ducks, pintails and garganeys.

Though declared a forest reserve and a world heritage Sinharaja is not yet developed fully for visitors. However excursions can be made inside the forest. Being a primeval forest, Sinharaja is teeming with magnificent species of fauna and flora. The vegetation of Sinharaja is worth looking at. Three-fourths of the total of 125 species of trees are endemic. Some of the fauna is also endemic including the species of insects, reptiles and fish.