Located close to Arugam Bay, the Lahugala Kitulana National Park is one of the country’s smallest parks, centered around three large man-made reservoirs. Its size notwithstanding, the park supports a large population of elephants, sometimes numbering 150, which are drawn to the grass-rich banks of the water bodies. The park is rich in birdlife, supporting a large number of waterfowl and waders, and was the last location where the knob-billed duck, now believed to be extinct, was last sighted.

Written by Jonathan Roelofsz for Travel Lanka Compass