Famous for its mysterious, fiery-red barren soil and towering coastal cliffs, Ussangoda National Park is a bizarre and beautiful geological wonder steeped in ancient Ramayana legends.

Why visit Ussangoda National Park

• Peculiar Red Soil and Serpentine Geology: Ussangoda is characterized by its distinctive brick-red, quartz-like soil and the rare presence of serpentine rock, which is believed to be due to ancient volcanic activity or even a meteor impact, resulting in a landscape unlike any other in Sri Lanka.
• Unique Flora and Vegetation Patterns: The soil's unusual composition, with high concentrations of heavy metals, supports only a limited number of plant species, primarily short grass and moss, and distinctly circular islands of vegetation, making its flora highly unique and often endemic.
• Mystical Legends and Ramayana Connection: The site is shrouded in local folklore, including beliefs that it is a sacred ground of the demi-god "Mangara" and, most notably, a legendary landing strip for King Ravana's Pushpaka Vimana, an ancient mythical aircraft from the Ramayana epic.
• Designated Archaeological Site: Beyond its natural peculiarities, Ussangoda is also officially recognized as an archaeological site, hinting at potential undiscovered historical significance, and is geographically close to the prehistoric human site of "Miniha Gal Kanda."
• Conservation of Unique Geological and Biological Values: Established as a national park in 2010, Ussangoda is one of Sri Lanka's "mini national parks" primarily protected for its distinct geological features, unusual vegetation, and biological diversity rather than just wildlife, aiming for long-term preservation of its unique characteristics.