Somawathiya National Park
| Somawathiya National Park | |
|---|---|
| Location | North Central and Eastern Provinces, Sri Lanka |
| Nearest city | Polonnaruwa |
| Coordinates | 8°07′15″N 81°10′08″E / 8.12083°N 81.16889°E |
| Area | 37,645.5 hectares (145.350 sq mi) |
| Established | 1966 (Sanctuary) 1986 (National park) |
| Governing body | Department of Wildlife Conservation |
Somawathiya National Park is one of the four national parks designated under the Mahaweli River development project. Somawathiya Chaitya, a stupa said to be containing a relic of the tooth of the Buddha, is situated within the park. The park was created on 2 September 1986, having been originally designated a wildlife sanctuary on 9 August 1966. The park is home to many megaherbivores. The national park is located 266 kilometres (165 mi) north-east of Colombo.