Sinharaja is a hilly virgin rain forest hails specific geographical significant land marks situated in south – west lowland wet zone in Sri Lanka. The National Heritage Act of 1988 proclaimed it a national heritage protected by the Ministry of Lands. Sinharaja is the first world heritage forest in Sri Lanka. Legend tells us this vast forest was once the kingdom of the lion, hence the name ‘Sinharaja Adaviya’. which means the forest of the lion king. This forest is about 11187 hectares. The forest at its lowest is 270 metres above the sea level. Its highest point is 1060 metres. Sinharaja has 9 hills of which the tallest is Hinipitigala, Its peak is 1170 metres high.
The forest reserve consists of marvelous geographical boundaries such as ridges and valleys as well as rock type’s characters in the surrounding area. Sinharaja rain forest intakes rainfall about 3500mm – 5500mm annually. Its mean temperature is normally in between 19 – 25 C0. Sinharaja is drained by an intricate network of streams, which flow in to the Gin Ganga on the southern boundary. Many streams start from the high ground of the sinharaja and falls in to bigger rivers. There is a small waterfall called Duhuvilli Ella. Perhaps it is named after the dust like spray of the waterfall and there are many water falls in the sinharaja forest. (e.g. Kakuna Ella, Pathan Ella, Brahmana Ella, Thattu Ella,Urawatunu Ella, Galdora Ella) The rainfall in the area is high throughout the year. It makes the waterways rush and gush adding beauty to the land.
Sinharaja is a forest with a high degree of bio-diversity. The forest floor is dark and silent. Woody climbers and spiny low palms spread over the ground. The attraction of Sinharaja to the visitor is mainly the vegetation. The forest is also the home of many rare birds and the animals and insects, reptiles, fishes and amphibians found nowhere else in the world. In addition 60% of the trees found in the sinharaja are endemic to Sri Lanka. The plants and the flowers that attract the nature lover. For thousands of years the forest has mothered these trees, creepers and streams. It has been home to the elephant – Elephas maximus, the leopard – panther pardus, deer, sambhur, porcupine, mongoose, the wild pig – Sus scrofa ceylonicus and many species of squirrels. Nearly 45 reptiles are featured in Sinharaja and 21 endemic reptile’s species in Sri Lanka can be seen in Sinharaja. Endemism among mammals and butterflies is also greater than 50% (e.g. purple faced langur). It has given protection to the birds, the bees and butterflies. Rare rough nose horned lizard – Ceratophora aspera which is restricted to part of Sri Lanka wet zone and the related verities of lizard living in this North West evergreen forest.
There are vast numbers of endemic plants in this forest area. Pitcher plant (Badura) - Nepenthes distillatoria which is a very specific component to catch insects within its flower like horn. It grows in shallow areas where soil is poor in nitrogen. It attracts insects by its pitcher shaped leaves in which rainwater can accumulate.
Inside the wall of the pitcher there are hairs which are directed downwards so that when an insect goes in to the pitcher it gets trapped inside. Although, it would struggle to come out, it has no escape. The hairs keep it entangles and the insect would die exhausted. Ultimately, the insect is digested and absorbed by the plant.
It also contains a large number of plants used for ayurvedic medicine. (e.g. Veniwel - Coscinium fenestratum , Wana raja – Anoectochilus setaceus, Kakiri Wra – Sschumacheria alnifolia, Iru raja - zeuxine regia, Thapasa Bulath – Apama siliquosa)
Within the plant there are flower trees which are endemic species to Sri Lanka. Orchids and other plants of full with flower makes a pleasant atmostpear to the forest. Mushroom and humus soil can be seen in the shady areas of the reserve. Noteworthy nearly 147 birds are featured in Sinharaja and from the category of 25 out of 26 endemic bird species in Sri Lanka can be seen in Sinharaja.
There are verities of plants which has economically value known benefit to man. Wewal – Calamus rotang which is used for making some handicrafts or furniture also can be seen in this forest.
There are foot paths in the forest created by the people in the boundary villages. There are 22 villages near to the Sinharaja. People who go looking for fruits. Firewood and bees’ honey have all left their foot prints. The forest is theirs. The foot prints are helpful to the visitors too.
The Sinharaja forest Department building situate at Kudawa outside the reserve, is used by scientist and visitors.
It is truly a national treasure. We are really proud of this green land. However, there are some who come to destroy the beautiful jungle. The forest legally protected and no one can destroy the forest in any way. But today, the Sinharaja is faced with many problems. Rare birds, reptiles and butterflies are lost to Sinharaja because of unscrupulous collectors of wild specimens. Many endemic plants too are lost in the same manner. Thus the notice at the entrance to Sinharaja,
“love Sinharaja. Please leave it as you find it.”
