National Parks in Sri Lanka: 13 % of Sri Lanka's landmass is protected as national parks. The most important parks are:

* Bundala National Park (between Hambantota and Kataragama)
* Gal Oya National Park (north of Yala)
* Horton Plains National Park (in the southwestern mountains)
* Lahugala National Park (west of Pottuvil)
* Uda Walawe National Park (near Hambantota)
* Udawattakele Wildlife Sanctuary (northeast of Kandy)
* Peak Wilderness Man and Biosphere Reserve (at Adam's Peak)
* Sinharaja Tropical Rain Forest (between Ratnapura and Matara) (World Heritage Site)
* Wilpattu National Park (northeast area of Sri Lanka)
* Wirawila Bird Sanctuary (near Tissamaharama)
* Ruhuna Yala National Park (near Tissamaharama)
* Kumana Bird Sanctuary (part of Yala) once acclaimed by Readers Digest as the best nesting and breeding environment in the world

* Minneriya National Park (near Polonnaruwa)
* Kaudulla National Park (near Polonnaruwa)
* Wasgomuwa National Park (near Polonnaruwa)

Sanctuaries
Some of the 50 sanctuaries are located in private lands. Though wildlife is well protected, limited human activity within the sanctuaries are allowed in so as wildlife is respected. Bellanwila Attidiya Sanctuary, Udawattekele Bird Sanctuary in Kandy, Muturajawela Marshes (Colombo Wetlands).

Famous Birds and Animals

Deer
Spotted deer (Axis axis ceylonensis), Barking deer (Munctiacus muntjak malabaricus), Sambhur (Cervus unicolor unicolor), Mouse deer (Tragulus meminna).

Monkeys
Grey langur (Presbytis entellus thersites), Toque monkey (Macaca sinica sinica), Purple-faced leaf monkey (Pithecus uetulus montticola).

Reptiles
Swamp crocodile (Crocodylus palustris kimbula), Estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus menikanna), Iguana (Varanus bengalensis)

Large mammals
Elephant (Elephas maximus), Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis bubalis), Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca), Sloth bear (Melarsus ursinus inoratus), Wild boar (Sus scrofa cristatus)

Others
Ceylon jackal (Tanis aureus lanka), Fishing cat (Felis viverrina), Civet cat (Viverricula indica mayori), Grey mongoose (Herpestes edwadsi lanka), Ruddy mongoose (Herpestes smithi zeylannius), Stripe-necked mongoose (Herpestes vitticollis vitticollis), Giant squirrel (Ratufa macroura dandolena), Porcupine (Hystrix indica indica), Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata)

Birds
Peacocks, painted stork, many varieties of heron, spoonbill, bee-eater, parrots & parakeets, hornbill, kingfisher, woodpecker and many more.