Horton Plains National Park, Nature reserve in Central Province, Sri Lanka
Horton Plains National Park is a highland reserve at 2,100 to 2,300 meters elevation in central Sri Lanka. The landscape features open grasslands, cloud forests, and many water sources scattered throughout the terrain.
British colonial governor Robert Wilmot-Horton renamed this area during his administration from 1831 to 1837, giving it the name still used today. This administrative change marked a significant moment in the region's colonial history.
Stone tools discovered in the park indicate human presence dating back approximately 38,000 years to the Balangoda civilization of ancient Sri Lanka.
The park opens daily from 6 AM to 6 PM, with early morning hours between 6 and 8 AM offering the clearest views. Later in the day, mist typically forms and reduces visibility across the landscape.
This area serves as the source of three major rivers of Sri Lanka: the Mahaweli, Kelani, and Walawe. These rivers supply water to communities and regions across the entire country.
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