Geology and soil structure
  • The Forest Reserve lies within the transition zone of two important groups of rock types, the south/western group which consist of metasediments-charnokites and scapolites bering calc granulites and the highland group comprising khondalites of metamorphosed sediments and Charnockites.
  • The most significant geological feature of Sinharaja is the presence of a "Sinharaja Basic Zone" which comprises hornblend pyriclasts, basic charnokites pyroxene amphibolites and scapolite.
  • The soils of Sinharaja largely belong to the group of Red Yellow Podzolic soils, with clearly distinguishable horizons of varying soil depths.
  • The soil is well drained with very little accumulation of organic matter.
         Topography
  • The elevation of the Sinharaja reserve ranges from 200m to 1300m.
  • It has a rolling terrain consisting of a series of ridges and valleys, which assumes an east-west trend in the northwestern part of the reserve.
  • In other parts of the reserve, the ridges and valleys assume a north-west/south-east alignment.
  • The peak of Hinipitigala is the tallest, rising up to about 1150m.
  • Other important ridges in the reserve ranges between 550-800m in height NamelyMoulawella (760m), Kosgulana (797m), Sinharaja (742m), Kohilearambe (575m), Dotalugala (769m), and Tibbottagala (904m).
          Boundaries of Forest Reserve
  • Upto now, the Sinharaja  Reserve covers an area of 8,800 hectares of nature and modified forests.
  • The Reserve lies in the south-west of the island at 6021' - 60 26' N. and 800 21' - 800 34' E.
  • It measures 21 kilometers in length, and if 7 kilometers in width at its widest point and 3 kilometers at its narrowest.
  • It consists of approximately 6,091 hectares (15,054 acres) of Forest Reserves and 2,773 hectares (6,850 acres) of Proposed Reserves.    

    Peaks of Sinharaja

    1. Pinipitigala main complex – 1171 MSL
    2. Pinipitigala west – 1170 MSL
    3. Pinipitigala east – 1168 MSL
    4. Mulawella – 760 MSL
    5. Pathinigala – 605 MSL
    6. Sinhagala – 742 MSL

                                              

  • In Sinharaja rain forest there are several places to visit in Kudawa side. Mulawella is a peak of Sinharaja forest and it's 6.5 km far from main entrence. Sinhagala is center of Sinharaja forest and 14 km from entrance.

             Grant Nawada tree (Sharea stipularis)

  •  The grant Nawada tree (Sharea stipularis) which is endemic species type of Sri Lanka and grant tree at 6.0km from main entrance.

                                             

  • Grant Nawada tree (Sharea stipularis) which is endemic species type of Sri Lanka and grant tree at 6.0km from main entrance. Number of Nature trails we can identified on travel to visit Grant Nawada tree.   

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