Gal Oya National Park

Gal Oya National Park is a protected area spanning over 25,000 hectares of evergreen forest, grasslands, and water in the eastern region of Sri Lanka. The centerpiece is the large Senanayake Samudra reservoir, dotted with forested islands and varied shorelines.

The park was established in 1954 to protect the catchment area of the Senanayake Samudra reservoir. The reservoir itself had been created just a few years earlier by damming the Gal Oya river.

The indigenous Vedda people live near the park boundaries and maintain deep ties to the forest through their daily practices. Visitors can learn about their perspective on the land through guided walks led by local experts.

Visitors explore the park mainly by boat trips on the reservoir or by jeep on designated routes. It helps to arrive early in the day when wildlife is more active and light conditions are better for spotting and photography.

Elephants wade through the reservoir water between islands while foraging for food, offering rare glimpses of these large mammals in their aquatic environment. This behavior shows how well these animals have adapted to life in the park.