Minneriya National Park

Minneriya National Park which lies in the Polonnaruwa District was declared a National Park on the 12th of August 1997.The Minneriya reservoir, built by king Mahasen,continues to play a pivotal role in the agricultural activities of the district as it did centuries ago. This reservoir is fed mainly by the Mahaweli irrigation scheme through the Yoda Ela.The forest are home to various animals with the elephant being the flagship species of the park, while the reservoir and its surrounding wetland habitat are inhabited by a variety of aquatic birds.