Wasgamuwa National Park is a natural park in Sri Lanka. The park lies within central and north- central provinces. It was declared to protect and to make a refuge for the displaced wild animals during the Mahaweli Development Project in 1984 and is one of the four National Parks designated under the Project. Originally it was designated as a nature reserve in 1938, and then in the early 1970's the area was regarded as a strict nature reserve. Wasgamuwa is one of protected areas where Sri Lankan Elephants can be seen in large herds. It is also one of the Important Bird Areas in Sri Lanka. As park is almost surrounded by Mahaweli & Amban Rivers, riverine forest area is fairly large. The name of the Wasgamuwa has derived through the words "Walas Gamuwa". "Walasa" is Sinhala for Sloth bear and "Gamuwa" means a wood. The park is situated 225 km away from Colombo. Wasgamuwa can be reached through Matale and Hettipola or from Dehiattakandiya.