Sri Lanka · national park
Gal Oya National Park
Gal Oya National Park is a national park in Sri Lanka, established in 1954, covering 259 km² (100 sq mi). It is the #10 largest of Sri Lanka's 26 national parks.
- Area
- 259 km²
- Established
- 1954
- IUCN
- II: National Park
- Nearest airport
- BTC · 64 km
Nearest airports to Gal Oya National Park
- 1 BTC64 kmstraight line
- 2 HRI107 kmstraight line
- 3 TRR148 kmstraight line
More about Gal Oya National Park
Gal Oya National Park is one of 26 national parks in Sri Lanka. It covers 259 km² (25,900 ha) — about 2.5 times the size of Paris, making it the #10 largest national park in Sri Lanka (3% of the country's national park area).
History and protection
The park was established in 1954, 72 years ago — the first national parks in Sri Lanka date back to 1937. It is listed in IUCN category II: National Park — protecting whole ecosystems while welcoming visitors for recreation and education.
Visiting Gal Oya National Park
The closest airport is Batticaloa International Airport (BTC), about 64 km away — around 1 h 23 min by car; alternatively Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI, 107 km). Other national parks within reach include Maduru Oya National Park (589 km²), Lahugala Kitulana National Park (16 km²), Galway's Land National Park (0 km²) and Wasgamuwa National Park (393 km²) — easy to combine on one trip.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Gal Oya National Park?
When was Gal Oya National Park established?
What is the nearest airport to Gal Oya National Park?
What protection category is Gal Oya National Park?
Data: Wikidata (CC0), English Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons.