SINHARAJA RAIN FOREST IN SRI LANKA

Sinharaja rain forest reserve the best kept secret in Asia, is one of the least disturbed and biologically unique 

lowland rain forests in Sri Lanka. This rain forest covers an extent of about 11187 hectares from east to west 

of Sri Lanka. The length of the rain forest is about 3.7 Km. It was declared a national wilderness area in 1988 

and lately a world heritage site in 1989. Sri Lanka has 7 world heritage sites. It is situated in the southwest 

lowland wet zone of Sri Lanka in the districts of Rathnepura, Galle and Matara. The average annual 

temperature of Sinharaja is 23.6 `c. Rainfall figures show values ranging from 3700 to 5000 in and around the 

Sinharaja forest. Average height of the trees varies between 35m-40m. Some individuals rise even up to 50m. 

The vegetation of Sinharaja forest is evergreen forest type with a high degree of endemism. Infect some 

families show an endemism more than 90%. The untapped genetic potential of Sinharaja flora is enormous.