Muthurajawela Bird Sanctuary

Muthurajawela ("Royal Swamp of the Country") is Sri Lanka's largest coastal peat bog and one of the most ecologically significant wetlands in South Asia. Covering over 3,000 acres just south of Negombo, it is a birdwatcher's paradise and a haven for wildlife.

The sanctuary is home to over 190 species of birds — including painted storks, purple herons, kingfishers, sea eagles, and many migratory species that visit between November and April. Crocodiles, water monitors, fishing cats and numerous reptile species also inhabit the wetlands.

Guided boat tours depart from the Muthurajawela Visitor Centre and weave through narrow mangrove channels and open lagoon waters. The experience is peaceful, intimate, and genuinely spectacular — a highlight for nature lovers and photographers alike.