The Sinharaja forest reserve is a tropical rain forest in the south western part of Sri Lanka and covers an area of 11187 ha. The reserve is bordered by Galle, Matara, and Ratnapura districts. It is reckoned as a main eco tourism attraction and an evergreen forest in Sri Lanka. The forest is ideal for bird watching, nature loving and exploring the nature.
The Sinharaja forest reserve was commenced as a world biosphere reserved in 1978 and a World heritage site in 1978. Since it was identified for nontimber forest products, genetic resources and the high range of bio diversity, declared as a forest reserve in 1875 under the Waste Lands Ordinance. Even though there was a time where the Sinharaja forest was nominated as one of the 7 world wonders too. The name Sinharaja reveals of Lion King. People believe that the Sri Lankans were originated from descendants of the union the king who lived in the jungle with a princess. Being located at an elevation of 200m to 1300 m you can entertain a cool astonishing climatic condition in the wood (19°C to 34°C). The forest can be easily reached from The Kalawana- Weddagala road from the northwest, The Rakwana-Morning side estate road from the northeast, the Hiniduma-Neluwa road from the southwest and Deniyaya-Pallegama road from the southeast. Thus the ridges and valleys located among the forest with lots of animal acts and bio diversity where you can relax and be free minded. Being the most famous forest reserve of Sri Lanka day by day lots of tourists are visiting the forest. You will be able to identify endemic birds such as Ceylon Lorikeet, Layard's parakeet, Jungle and Spur Fowl, Ceylon Wood Pigeon, Grey Hombill, Spotted wing Thrush, Rufous and Brown- capped Babbler, Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush, Ceylon Blue Magpie, White Headed Starling, Ceylon Hill Mynha, Legge's Flowerpecker easily if you could bring a binocular with you.
The Sinharaja is a great place to study flora and fauna. Therefore being a cluster of endemic species, plants, and a variety of well known and rare plants the forest should be conserved. Currently, the Sinharaja is administrated by the Forest Department. But more and more security and conservation methods have to add on behalf of ensuring the over 60% of the trees are endemic and many of these are rare; and there are 21 endemic bird species, and a number of rare insects, reptiles, and amphibians (IUCN Technical Evaluation).