Wilpattu National Park is the largest and the oldest protected areas in Sri Lanka. The park lies within the North-central & North-western provinces covering an area of 131693 ha. Wilpattu National Park comprises of a complex of Natural lakes called Villus surrounded by grassy plains, set within scrub jungle. This was declared as a sanctuary in 1905 and upgraded to a National Park in 1938.

The history associated with the national park and its surroundings are dated back to 543 BC. Prince Vijaya landed at Kudirimalai and founded the Sinhalese race. He married Kuveni the jungle princess in a palace at Kali Vill of, which the ruins can be found.  The son of King Dutugemunu, Prince Saliya was lived with his low cast bride Asokamala 2000 years ago. In 47 AD, the Emperor of Claudius who was blown off course by monsoon, visited Kudirimalai or Horse Point. Another important point called Poparippu where sealed urns containing human remains have been found and was probably in pre-Vijayan times.

The mammalian diversity and ecological densities are highest in Wilpattu National Park. A total of 31 species of mammals have been identified at the Wilpattu National Park. The elephant (Elephas maximus), Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) and water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) are identified as the threatened species living within the Wilpattu National Park. Other wetland bird species as Garganey (Anas querquedula), Pin tail (Anas acuta), Whistling teal (Dendrocygna javanica), Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), White ibis (Threskiornis malanocephalus), Large white egret (Egretta alba modesta), Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) and Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) also found at the Wilpattu National Park.