From Colombo this forest can be reached using the following route.

Colombo � Gall � Turn left on to the Udugama road � Go along this road to Udugama � Kanneliya. (4 hours)

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This is a large rain forest which is 6,114 hectares in extent. Even though it offers a rich habitat for many species of birds and rich in bio diversity much of the area is covered mostly by secondary forest. It is protected as a Forest Reserve and comes under the purview of the Forest Department. �Inside the forest there are broad paths for a distance of about 2 km to walk and observe birds. Basic accommodation is available for over night stay inside the forest but the bookings have to be made at the head office of the Forest Department at Jayanthipura, Battaramulla.

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Birds to look for

Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Green-billed Coucal, Ceylon Jungle & Spurfowl, Ceylon Bay owl, Chestnut-backed Owlet, Ceylon Blue Magpie, Scimitar Babbler, Black-capped, Yellow-browed & Black Bulbuls, Spot-winged Thrush, Crimson-backed, Lesser-yellow-naped & Brown-Capped Pygmy Woodpeckers, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Black Eagle, Crested & Hawk Eagles and many more.