Birds

The abundance of Sri Lanka's bird life makes it an ornithologist's paradise. Of the 431 species, 251 are resident and no less than 21 are endemic to the island. Most of the endemic birds -are restricted to the wet zone, e.g. the Ceylon Q rack ie or to the hill - county e.g. the Ceylon Whistling Thrush, the Yellow-cared Bulbul etc. Some, such as the striking Red faced Malkoha and the shy brown-capped Babbler can be found through out the island although confined to small areas of forests. National Parks and Forest Reserves. Among the best areas for these birds are the Sinharaja Forest Reserve and the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary. Around mid August the first flocks of the species begin to arrive with large numbers of sandpipers, stilts, plovers, terns, etc. coming from Siberia, Scandinavia and Western Europe. In the forested areas migratory tree warblers, thrushes, cuckoos etc. can be seen. The large tanks' (reservoirs) in the dry zone attract numerous types of ducks, while the large water birds - the storks, herons and egrets - can be easily spotted in the National Parks. The Kumana Bird Sanctuary in the Eastern Province and Bundala, Kalametiya and Wirawila in the south, abound in these aquatic birds. Bundala is especially famous for its flocks of visiting flamingoes.
An interesting place to visit for more bird life is the Muthurajawela marshes, just outside the northern border of the Colombo city.

Vertebrates

Of the 86 species of mammals the pride of place goes to the majestic elephant. Although rapid destruction of its habitat has depleted the elephant population, sizeable numbers can be seen in Gal Oya and Udawalawe National parks and at Handapangala. Extinction also threatens the island's biggest cat - the leopard, although Wilpattu National park is justifiably proud of its leopard population. Many species of deer - the Sambhur, the Hog Deer, the Mouse deer can also be seen in the Parks.

Other mammals include the Sloth Bear, the protected Dugong, the Wild Boar, the Porcupine and Monkeys, especially the Grey Langur, which are common throughout the island. Of special interest is the endemic purple faced Leaf Monkey, found in the higher hill regions.

Butterflies

To the naturalist, Sri Lanka offers a tantalising array of interesting and unique forms. Of the 242 known species, most are found in the regions of the lower foothills (i.e. up to 910 metres). A few (6 species) can be glimpsed above 1210 metres. A most spectacular scene is the seasonal migration of butterflies during March and April, when tradition has it that they fly towards 'Samanala Kande' (Butterfly Peak), the local name for the mountain more famous as "Sri Pada' or "Adam's Peak'.

Frogs, Fish and Reptiles

All major groups of vertebrates to be found in Sri Lanka, are mostly endemic to the island, especially the amphibians and reptiles. Most of the 54 species of fish are marsh and r iv er dwelling fish,the 14endemic species being restricted to the perennial streams of the wet zone. They are the beautiful fish of the Carplet group. The British introduced 16 species into the island including the Trout Tounatoaay in the clear, cold streams of Horton plains.

Of the 38 species of amphibian, 16 are unique~to~the island. One endemic genus, the Nannophrys, with 3 species, is common in the hill country This frog lives on rock ledges covered by a continuous trickle of water and tadpoles share this habitat. None of the amphibians are poisonous to man.

The island abounds in reptiles of which 75 are engangered endemic species of Crocodile, the commonest is the Marsh f~~le.The beautiful Star Tortoise is the only land tortoise. A 115 Species are protected by law. Of the 83 species of snakes, only 5 are lethal, these being Cobra, Russell's Viper, Tndian Krait, Ceylon Krait, and the Saw-scaled Viper. These are rarely found in built up areas of city or village.

Exotic Varied Flora and Trees

To the botanist this is indeed a land of plenty, the country which cherished the Sacred Bc», the oldest historically documented tree in the world for over twenty centuries and where plants are treasured for their curative powers in its indigenous (Ayurvedic) medical systems.

Many varieties of tress, both tropical and temperate thrive in the diversified climate. The luxuriant undergrowth and tall majestic trees of the wet zone tropical forests - such as Sinharaja Reserve - contrast -with the arid scrub I and and talipot palms of the dry northern and eastern plains. In the hills, vegetation varies from the almost treeless patanas - Moon Plains and Elk Plains - to the dark rhododendron forests wreathed with the protected Spaghnum Moss, of the gorse covered Horton Plains. The Damanas - open parklands - of the Eastern Province add yet more variety with trees such as Aralu, Bulu and IMelli, of great value to the Ayurvedic pharmacopaeia.

From March to May numerous flowering trees such as the fiery Pwncfana regfa, the white Mestia ferrea, the frothy pink tabebwa rosea burst in to bloom. Exquisite orchids including rare endemic species such as the protected pink mauve vesak, and the Daffodil, Primrose and Anuradhapura Orchids maybe seen in their woodland habitats and in collections.

Special Note
The law protects certain endangered species of flora and fauna. Export and even possession of these species as well as live animals, birds, reptiles is illegal. Please also remember that production and sale of items made from wild animals and reptiles is illegal. Occasional exports are however permitted exclusively for bona tide scientific purposes and all applications for any such export should be made to the Director of Wildlife Conservation.

Sri Lanka has a year round abundance of fresh fruits - Pineapple, papaya, banana and mango are plentiful throughout the year. Between the months of July and October, mangoosteen, passion fruit, avocado, pear, durian, rambuttan and oranges are also available. For centuries spices have been one of Sri Lanka's most celebrated exports, among them cinnamon, nutmeg, doves, cardamom, pepper, etc.

The Spice Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya has the most complete collection of spice plants and high quality fresh packed spices are freely available for sale, especially in Kandy. There are also many private spice gardens open to the public.

Tea, Rubber and Coconut

Tea
Sri Lanka is the world's leading producer of high quality tea, which is our main export. Most itineraries which indude hill country resorts also include a visit to a tea estate and factory to see production and processing which is done in some of the most scenic areas of the island. Every visitor is allowed 3 kilos of tea for export, duty free, and it is readily available everywhere. Excess over this quantity is dutiable

Rubber
Another large export item rubber was introduced by Sir Henry Wickham, who cultivated seedlings from seeds brought from Brazil in 1876. The milk like latex is tapped from the bark and made into crape or sheets for export. The plantations are mainly in the south western zone of the island.

Coconut
Coconut grows widely in the coastal regions of -the wet zone. Described as the 'tree of life' every part of it is made use of. Coconut milk, the extract of the kernel, is used for daily cooking. Other products obtained from coconut are oil, copra, desiccated coconut, vinegar and arrack, the local drink. Coconut fiber is used to make rope, rugs, matting, brooms and brushes.