It is a hidden gem in Matara, just a few kilometers away from the town. The sanctuary covers about 750 acres of mangrove forests, marshlands, irrigation tanks and canals. It is home to many species of plants, animals and birds, some of which are endemic to Sri Lanka. I saw the green-faced leaf monkey, the whistling duck, the water lily and the kirala tree. The sanctuary also supports the livelihoods of thousands of people who fish, farm and collect flowers from the wetland. I highly recommend Kirala Kele Sanctuary to anyone who loves nature and wildlife. It is a must-see attraction in Sri Lanka, and a great place to learn about the culture and history of Matara. It is also a great example of how people can live in harmony with nature and conserve its resources. Kirala Kele Sanctuary is a treasure that deserves more attention and appreciation.👍

Kirala kele, situated in Matara district between the Nilwala river is a marshland rich with biodiversity. Kirala kele is a habitat for a vast amount of mangrove plants and therefore is called a "mangrove forest". The residents of the area use to find their livelihood from the wetland. Fishing, cultivating crops and raising cattle have been practiced by them in order to earn a living. Water lily, water snowflake and lotus are among the aquatic flora found in the marshland. It has been surveyed that kirala kele is rich with 83 species of flora, 13 species of mammals (including the Green-faced leaf monkey who is an endemic animal) and abundance of bird species. You can visit Kirala kele during any season for its natural beauty never fades according to the change of seasons. However, the man-made constructions around the area have become a huge threat to the marshland lately. The area has been protected under the sustainable development strategies but it needs to be well preserved with more attention for the future generations. So, if you would like to witness the richness of a wetland, Kirala kele is the best place which suits your intention!

A great place to go for a morning or evening walk or for a bicycle ride. The roads are really beautiful and the scenaries are priceless. There many species of birds in the forest. Bird watching and photography is common in here.

An excellent place to relax located very close to Matara town.

A nice pleace to have a walk in the morning or evening when there has been no rain around. Unpaved road surface is uneven in places and there are many interconnected routes. Most routes border waterways. Calm and cool area with lots of birds. More and more people are using the area to have a walk. Occasionally, there are few groups of people fishing from the banks.

Very good place for bird watchers... You can see hundrads of water birds and other terrastrial birds in one place. Walking track avaiblable.

A beautiful place near the city of Matara that is not seen by tourists is a place where you can easily have a meal and relax while watching some birds and enjoying the environment while traveling through the southern region. Don't pollute this beautiful environment by littering. Remember, don't go into the water, there are many crocodiles because this is a sanctuary. After leaving the Palatuwa highway entrance, after going about three kilometers towards Matara, turn left near the bridge and you will see this beautiful environment.

This is a bird sanctuary located not far from matara city. Not properly maintained. Roads are in good condition and can accessed by a car. No need to take prior permission or tickets. Since this place is not protected by authorities some people use this are as a garbage dumping area. How ever you can see many wetland birds in this area.

Great place for a walk or to chill out with nature.

Amazing ride through the forest. Can be dangerous when rainfalls. Great track for off road vehicals when rains. Consisted with various kind of valuble flora and fauna.

I got there around 10AM and nothing much to see. And also we hardly found our way back home. No map no instructions to which way to go