Chundikkulam National Park (Tamil: சுண்டிக்குளம் தேசிய பூங்கா, romanized: Cuṇṭikkuḷam Tēciya Pūṅkā; Sinhala: චුණ්ඩිකුලම ජාතික වනෝද්‍යානය, romanized: Cuṇḍikulama Jātika Vanōdyānaya) is a national park in northern Sri Lanka, approximately 12 km (7 mi) north east of Kilinochchi. Chundikkulam Lagoon and its surrounding area was designated as a bird sanctuary on 25 February 1938 under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (No. 2) of 1937.[1] In January 2009 the Sri Lanka Army's 55 Division, advancing from Nagar Kovil, re-captured the area around Chundikkulam sanctuary from the militant Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.[2][3] Subsequently the Sri Lankan military started building military bases in the sanctuary and barred local fishermen from using the sanctuary and local residents from returning to their homes.[4][5] The army opened the Chundikulam Nature Park Holiday Resort in the northern part of the sanctuary in January 2012.[6] Following the end of the Sri Lankan Civil War the government announced plans to convert various sanctuaries in the Northern Province into national parks.[7][8] An Integrated Strategic Environmental Assessment of Northern Province produced by the government with the assistance of United Nations Development Programme and United Nations Environment Programme and published in October 2014 recommended that Chundikkulam sanctuary be extended westwards towards Elephant Pass and south-eastwards towards Chalai and Pallamatalan and be upgraded to a national park.[9] The recommendation would see the sanctuary's area grow from 11,149 ha (27,550 acres) to 19,565 ha (48,347 acres), partly as a result of absorbing state-owned forests nearby.[10] In May 2015 the government announced that Chundikkulam, along with Adam's Bridge, Delft and Madhu Road, would be designated national parks.[11] Chundikkulam sanctuary became a national park on 22 June 2015 with an area of 19,565 ha (48,347 acres).[12][13] Flora and faunaEdit Chundikkulam Lagoon is partly surrounded by mangrove swamps and sea grass beds.[1] The surrounding area includes palmyra palm plantations, scrub forests and a variety of dry zone flora.[1][10] Numerous varieties of waterand wader birds are found in the park including bar-tailed godwit, black-tailed godwit, black-winged stilt, brown-headed gull, common sandpiper, curlew sandpiper, eurasian coot, eurasian curlew, eurasian spoonbill, eurasian teal, eurasian wigeon, garganey, greater flamingo, gull-billed tern, marsh sandpiper, northern pintail, oriental ibis, painted stork, ruff, shoveler, terek sandpiper and wood sandpiper.[1][14]Mammals found in the park include leopard, sloth bear and deer.[10] Mugger crocodile and saltwater crocodile have also been seen in the park.[15]

It's been really well thought about. There is a lot of space here and different areas for different age ranges. So this means that young children won't get pushed around by older, faster, more able kids. Instead they will be playing over at the larger play area that is more intetesting and suitable for them. It works really well. There are so many slides, swings and climbing structures that there is room for everyone to play, even on really busy days. Our 2 year old son had a great time interacting with the local Sri Lankan children and a handful of other Western kids that were there too. The parents were all really friendly and we had quite a few really nice conversations. It was a really nice atmosphere. There is even a huge bouncy castle with slides etc. Although we felt that our son Leo was still a bit too young to use it on this visit. But for slightly older kids it looked like great fun! The park is completely enclosed by a large metal fence, so you can be safe in the knowledge that your kids can't disappear suddenly. There's only one way in or out.... We stayed for almost 3 hours and really enjoyed our visit. Highly recommended for children of all ages. There's something here for everyone! The only thing to bear in mind is that when you leave you have to walk straight past a very cleverly positioned shop selling toys etc. But a quick little distraction will get you past this if you don't want your child to be drawn in by the colourful selection of tempting toys and treats on display. Unfortunately for us, Leo spotted a big red toy car and ran straight over to it. But we were able to diffuse the situation quickly and leave without purchasing anything. Had we been prepared for the walk past this shop then we would have just carried him whilst pointing at something on the opposite side of the path. It's easily avoided if you know it's there.. .

Chundikulam National Park is situated in east coast of the Chundikulam which is right side A9 highway after Elepahant pass. This is a converting to very beautiful green and wet area after the rainy season. Normally Sri lankan nothern areas are usually dry. Lot of seasonal birds can be located in the wetlands. The villagers in the area are facing to poverty and observed way of living were farming and tapping palmirah toddy..

Amazing place.........Not a conventional holiday destination but if you want someplace get away from all and if you don't mind the heat. This is a perfect place. Birdwatching, beach sports, BBQ are few of the activities & you can have totally different experience......... controlled by military, clean & tidy. AC & Non AC rooms available.

Great place to relax with your family and friends. Amazing place to stay and study the surrounding.

The Chundikkulam National Park is located 12 km north east of Kilinochchi, in the Northern province. The area includes the Chundikkulam Lagoon (sometimes called the Elephant Pass Lagoon), to which a variety of birds flock. The area was designated a bird sanctuary on February 25, 1938 and was only elevated to the status of national park on June 22, 2015, after an Integrated Strategic Environmental Assessment of Northern province recommended an area of 19,565 ha (48,347 acres) is preserved, an increase of 8,416 ha from the sanctuary’s previous 11,149 ha. Water and wader birds including the bar-tailed godwit, brown-headed gull, curlew sandpiper, eurasian spoonbill, greater flamingo and painted stork are found at the Chundikkulam National Park, as well as mugger and saltwater crocodiles.

This is a good place to enjoy the beach and birds. Large number of colourful herons can be seen at the lake situated close to the Army Holiday Resort. Very clean beach, you can join to pull fishing nets 8f you got lucky.

Had a giid lesuire time with my beloved family abd freinds with mind blowing environment . You can experience the beauty of lagoon and birds and few kind of animal spices around it and the other side the beech

A perfect rendezvous. The lagoon almost surrounded by variety of birds . Highly recommend for bird watching. Even the beach side clean and quite. A different experience other than a conventional stay at a hotel.

Chundikkulam Lagoon and its surrounding area was designated as a bird sanctuary on 25 February 1938 under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (No. 2) of 1937. In January 2009 the Sri Lanka Army's 55 Division, advancing from Nagar Kovil, re-captured the area around Chundikkulam sanctuary from the militant LTTE. Subsequently, the Sri Lankan military started building military bases in the sanctuary and barred local fishermen from using the sanctuary and local residents from returning to their homes. The army opened the Chundikulam Nature Park Holiday Resort in the northern part of the sanctuary in January 2012.

The Chundikulam National Park is situated at Eastern side of the Elephantpass and can access by A9 road. It is very close to the Chundikulam Beach which is one of the beautiful beaches of Sri Lankan Coastal Belt.

Nice isolated beach road to drive on. Beautiful wide beaches and not a soul in sight. Not a lot of facilities around. Take everything you need

Great location for a perfect hideout... Only 4x4 vehicles can reach that place. Road under construction

Chundikulam national park is situated in the northern province of Sri Lanka. There is a army resort inside the park. There also contains Palmyra and palm plantations, scrub foreste and other dry zone flora. You can spend your holiday with peaceful mind.