Yala (Ruhuna or Ruhunu for this part of the park, Yala East or Kumana National Park for that accessible from the east coast) is the most visited national park in Sri Lanka. Ruhuna is divided into 5 parts (blocks I to V), of which only block I, in the southwestern part, is open to tourism.Yala National Park is renowned for its variety of wildlife, characteristic of the dry tropical forest zone. Some 400 elephants, including several tuskers (tusker bears), about 40 leopards and a few lippus bears are the main attractions of the place. In addition, there are many birds, deer and hinds, monkeys, crocodiles, mongooses and other animals. Beware of leopards: although they are more accustomed to human presence in Yala than elsewhere, their observation is not always guaranteed: remember that the park is vast and that you will only have access to a part of it. There are also remains in the park that demonstrate the occupation of Yala by an ancient civilization that would have been part of the kingdom of Ruhunu. Situlpahuwa, located in the south-western part of the park, is said to have been home to up to 12,000 people, including several thousand Buddhist monks. Its temple, now restored, is the object of an important annual pilgrimage. Nearby are Magul Vihara and Akasa Chaitiya, dating respectively from 87 BC and the 2nd century BC.

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