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Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary — Puttalam

Cover photo: Ryan Grewell (Unsplash)

District

Puttalam

Province

North Western

Best for

Birdwatchers and photographers; Ramsar tanks, jacanas, cormorants and migrant ducks

Map

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About this place

Between Chilaw and Puttalam off the coastal road; tuk from Chilaw or the Arachchikattuwa junction, then a bund walk between tanks. Best at dawn December to April for migrants. Small entry fee at the forest-department post; bring binoculars, repellent and sun cover.

Visitor brief

Good to know before you go

• One of Sri Lanka's Ramsar wetlands: man-made tanks with jacanas, cormorants, painted storks and migrant ducks.
• Best at dawn, October to April for migrants; December-March peak.
• Small entry fee reported at the wildlife-conservation post — confirm on arrival as no official fee page was found.
• Bring binoculars, mosquito repellent and sun cover; the bund walk is fully exposed.
• Do not disturb fishermen working the tanks; stay on the bund road.

How to travel there

Between Chilaw and Puttalam off the coastal A3 road; bus to the Arachchikattuwa junction then a three-wheeler, then walk the tank bunds.

Where to stay

Chilaw town — budget to mid-range guesthouses; a Chilaw base makes dawn visits easiest.

Nearby places

Munneswaram Kovil Temple, Kalpitiya Kitesurfing Lagoon, St Anne's Church, Talawila, Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary

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