Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary

The Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary situated 20 km away from the Tangalle city has faced a lot of turmoil over the years. However, it still stands as one of Sri Lanka’s key habitats for bird watching. Initially declared as a Bird Sanctuary in 1938, it was abolished in 1946 due to the pressure from local residents. Fortunately, it was declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary almost 4 decades later in 1984. It is celebrated as a haven for weaver birds who nest frequently within the sanctuary. The brackish water lagoon that is adorned with lush mangrove forms the main habitat component of area. The bird composition of Kalametiya consist of over 150 species that include 54 migratory birds. In addition, over 20 species of mammals, 41 species of fish and 38 species of reptiles seek refuge in the sanctuary.