Description

<ul>The history of the area of the Yala national park goes back to the 3rd Century where an ancient civilization flourished till 10th Century AD. Due to an unknown reason, that has disappeared suddenly and the glory of an ancient past was soon immersed in a mantle of the secondary-growth forest where the present Yala National Park is situated in.</br>
<br>Although the remnants prove an ancient civilization of the 3rd Century BC in the Yala area, there is a mythical belief that the kingdom of King Ravana, an anti-hero of the Hindus, was established at a place called Ravana Kotte long time before the 3rd Century BC. The place is now submerged in the sea where the present Great and Little Basses lighthouses stand on.</br>
<br>Situlpauwa, Akasa Chaitiya and Magul Vihara a cave monastic settlement earlier known as “Chittala Pabbata,” was home for 12,000 Arahat Buddhist monks in 2nd Century BC, located within the park.</ul>