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The Udawalawe National Park is approximately 30,821 hectares in extent. This park lies within the Ratnapura and Monaragala Districts and acts as the catchment to the Udawalawe Reservoir, and is located in the dry zone. It comprises grasslands, thorn scrubs, and many valuable species of trees. Udawalawe National Park is an important national park in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. The reserve covers 306 km² and was established in 1972 to protect the catchment of the Udawalawe reservoir. The habitat is open parkland, with some mature teak trees along the river. This popular reserve has more than 400 wild Asian Elephants, which are relatively easy to see in this open habitat. Udawalawe also has a dozen or so Leopards, although seeing this largely nocturnal carnivore requires considerable luck.
There are many gem mines found around Ratnapura, about 200 of them working mines. Visitors can visit selected gem mines and explore the age old tradition of gem mining, observe the manual process of miners dig, wash and sift the stones whilst looking zealously for the precious stones lying amongst the ordinary. On the way back visitors can also meet the lapidarists who bring out the hidden splendour of the uncut gem stones. It is advisable to verify the authenticity of the Gems you wish to purchase, this can be done at the State Gem Corporation in Colombo or at a government certified gem valuation agencies.