Sinharaja Rain Forest - World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka.

The word ‘Sinharaja’ means ‘Lion’ (Sinha) ‘King’ (raja). This area was declared as a forest reserve in 1875 and as an International Man and the Biosphere Reserve in 1978. Subsequently it was declared as a National Heritage Wilderness Area in 1988 and in the following year it was declared as  a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The extent of the Sinharaja is 11,185 hectares.

Sinharaja can be accessed through 3 main entry points.

1.      Colombo-Ratnapura-Kalawana road

2.      Colomo-Rakwana-Morning-side road

3.      Colombo-Deniyaya-Mederipitiya road

Main annual rainfall varies between 3000-6000 mm without a distinct dry period. Mean annual temperature is between 20C-25 C. The landscape consists of a rolling terrain with a series of ridges and valleys and some flat plains which contribute to the variety of ecological niches in Sinharaja.

The vegetation type of Sinharaja consist mainly of primary tropical lowland wet evergreen forests. In addition there are sub montane forests and sub montane grasslands. Fresh water habitats, rocky terrains and other associated eco systems contribute to the ecological diversity of this unique rain forest.

Vertical stratification of the vegetation is very clear and can easily be distinguished. The top most layer consists of very tall (over 45 m) emergent trees such as Hora, Boo-hora, Dorana and Dun. The second layer which rises to 30-45 meters consists of Batu-Na, Atamba, Wal-Del, Liyan, and Nawada whose branches are interlock to form a closed canopy. Dawata, Hedawaka, Kitul, and Walukeena are in the third layer with average height of 15-30 meters. Below these layers are under story layer (5-20 m), shrub layer (2-4 m) and ground layer (below 1m).

There are 337 woody plant species in Sinharaja that include192 endemic species, 30 nationally threatened and 116 globally threatened species. This is the highest number of woody plant species recorded in any single forest in Sri Lanka.

Floristics of Sinharaja exhibits the climax or dynamic equilibrium vegetation type where there is no net increase or decrease in the biomass of living organism which is one of the most fragile and least resilient eco system in the world. It also act as a repository of the valuable germplasm of plant species whose usefulness and potential human value is yet to be discovered. Sinharaja witnesses the highest range of floristic richness and the highest proportion of endemics among the woody vegetation having the traces of gondwanic flora that have evolved over a long period of geological time scale.

Sinharaja provides shelter for a wide variety of animals ranging from slow moving land snails to the charismatic leopard. Over 140 families of fauna are recorded from Sinharaja.

There are 19 fish species, 33 amphibians, 71 reptile species, 147 bird species, and 44 mammal species in Sinharaja. About 60% of the country’s native birds and all 33 endemic birds including recently discovered Serendib Scops Owl can be seen in Sinharaja. One of the most enchanting displays of color to be found in Sinharaja is the sight of mixed species foraging bird flocks, a phenomenon found in rain forests.

Two endemic species of monkeys, kalu wandura (black monkey) and purple faced leaf monkey can be seen there. Other mammals in Sinharaja include sambur, barking deer, mouse deer, wild boar, golden palm civet, small flying squirrel, fishing cat and rusty spotted cat. A very lucky visitor can get a glimpse of the biggest cat, Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya), who lives within the deep reaches of the jungle.

Around 65 species of butterflies with several endemics, including Ceylon rose, the tree nymph and the common bird wing are found in Sinharaja. There is a wide array of spiders, reptiles, fresh water fish and amphibian fauna in Sinharaja forest.

An intricate network of waterways that eventually feed two of the major rivers in Sri Lanka, ‘Kalu Ganga’ and ‘Gin Ganga’, originate from Sinharaja. The waterways that start from the southern part feed Gin Ganga while Napola Dola, Kosglana Ganga and Kudawa Ganga feed Kalu Ganga.

Source : Sri Lanka Forest Department.