From Colombo Sinharaja can be reached using the following route.

Colombo – Kalutara – Agalawatta -  Matugama – Kalawana – Veddagala – Sinharaja (4 hours)

 

Sinharaja is biologically the most unique wet ever green rain forest in the country with an exceptionally high degree of endemism. It is an ancient forest that existed even before the advent of human beings and 11,187 hectares of this once vast forest was declared as a World Heritage Wilderness Area in 1989. The balance area of 6,153 hectares remains as a Forest Reserve. This forest comes under the purview of the Forest Department and a permit is required to enter it. A forest guide will be provided by the department. Even though the ticket office at Kudawa can be reached by a car a four wheel driven vehicle with high clearance is needed to reach the forest entrance from which point bird watching has to be done on foot. There are well defined paths but one has to be mindful of the leeches, especially during the rainy season. Sinharaja is famous for its mixed feeding bird flocks and a high degree of endemic birds can be observed during the bird walks. Basic accommodation is provided by the Forest Department for those interested in staying over night but it has to be arranged prior to the visit form the head office at Jayanthipura, Battaramulla. There are a few private guest houses as well, which would provide meals and accommodation. There is an entry in to the reserve from Deniyaya as well.

 

Birds to look for

Green-billed Coucal, Red-faced Malkoha, Ceylon Blue Magpie, Rufous Babbler, Ceylon Hill Myna, Ashy Headed Laughing Thrush, White Headed Starling, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Spot-winged Thrush, Scaly Thrush, Ceylon Jungle Fowl, Ceylon Spurfowl, Crimson Backed woodpecker, Ceylon Crested Drongo, Layard’s Parakeet, Ceylon Green Pigeon, Ceylon Lorikeet, Serendib Scops Owl, Ceylon Bay Owl, Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Chestnut Backed owlet, Ceylon Frogmouth, Legge’s Flowerpecker, Scimitar Babbler, Ceylon Trogon, Black Eagle, Crested Serpent & Hawk Eagles, Crested Honey Buzzard and many more.

 

www.ceylonbirdclub.org