Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. A UNESCO world Heritage Site, Sri Lanka’s most beautiful and the biggest rainforest is situated close to Ratnapura, at a distance of 80 km from Galle. A variety of indigenous plants and animals, flowing rivers, and silent streamlets cover up nearly 9800 hectares. This is the country's last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. There is much endemic wildlife, especially birds, but the reserve is also home to over 50% of Sri Lanka'sendemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many kinds of insects, reptiles
and rare amphibians. Out of a total of 830 indigenous flowering plants, in the island, Sinharaja has nearly 500 plants. Out of 21 native bird species in the country, 17 have made Sinharaja their home.Noted as a national heritage wilderness area on October 21st 1988, the majority of the area within the property was originally declared a forest reserve on May 3rd 1875, providing a long history of protection. The property is afforded the highest level of legal protection under the National Heritage and Wilderness Area Act of Sri Lanka
and almost all the peripheral natural forests along the boundary have already been declared as conservation forests or reserved forests under the Forest Ordinance. The values encompassed by the property were further recognised when it was declared a
Biosphere Reserve in April 1978 and subsequently inscribed on the World Heritage. There are three entrances to the forest reserve – Kudawa, Pitadeniya and Morning Side.
Access to the forest is only on foot, accompanied by a ranger or guide. Most visitors base themselves in the nearby settlements of Deniyaya or Kudawa. It frequently rains at Sinharaja. The best months with less precipitation are January- March and August-September. The annual rainfall ranges from 3000mm- 6000mm. Night temperature is above 20 degrees and day temperature are almost 30 degrees
with an average humidity of 85%. Leeches are abundant even in the dry season. Wearing leech socks is advised.