File:Manawakanda Eco-park 02.jpg

English: The “Manawe Kanda”, Protected Area is an isolated mountain, belongs to the Ipalogamawithin KakirawaDS Division beet area. It lies across North/ North central/ Eastern zones and represent Anuradapura division. More precisely it belongs to Hadapidiyagama village, in 518 Heenakwagama GNDivision, in Ipalogama DS division in Anuradhapura district. Being standing in the center of other archeological and environmentally treasured attractions such as Aukana, Kalawewa, Vijithapura, Anuradhapuraya, Mihinthalaya, Nachchaduwawewa, Eruwewa, Eruwewa mountain, Ritigala, Sigiriya and Dambulla.

The Manawe Kanda is an isolated hill forest consisting of 25 ha. The upper parts of this hill forest represent Moiest Mixed Evergreen Forest (MMEF). The endemic canopy tree species, Dialiumovoideum (Fabaceae) is restricted to MMEF. This can be considered as a good indicator of this vegetation type. Endemic tree species Glennieaunijuga (Sapindaceae) has also been found here in high density (356 individuals/ha). In addition to that another endemic Euonymus walker (Celastraceae) which is a shrub generally found in the Wet Zone. It is very rare in the Intermediate and Dry Zones. However, this rare plant record from Manawe Kanda that is the only record in the Anuradhapura District. (Enhancing Biodiversity Conservation and Sustenance of Ecosystem services in Environmentally Sensitive Areas, 2015)

The Manawe Kanda was also found to host a number of endemic animal species, including a butterfly species, Troidesdarsius (Sri Lankan Bird Wing, National butterfly of Sri Lanka), two reptile species, Otocryptiswiegmanni (Wiegmann’s forest lizard), Chrysopeleataprobanica (Sri Lanka flying snake) and mammal species such as Maccacasinica (Toque monkey) and Tragulusmeminna(Mouse Deer) etc. Three bird species were recorded from the base of thee hill including Gallus Lafayetti (Sri Lanka Jungle fowl), Ocycerosgingalensis (Sri Lankan Grey Hornbill), and Megalaimarubricailla (Crimson-fronted Barbet). Those endemic species reported in this site shows the ecological value of the Manawe Kanda. (Enhancing Biodiversity Conservation and Sustenance of Ecosystem services in Environmentally Sensitive Areas, 2015)It has 40 butterfly spp with 2 endemic spp, 4 reptile spp, 2 amphibians etc. Nowadays, remaining archeological ruins and folklores associated with this mountain are occurred the great archeological and historical value of the Manawe Kanda Protected Area. It is considered as the practicing and stationed site of the King Dutugamunu troops fought at Vijithapura battle with the invading South Indian King Elara. Evidence of granite sword stones

and medicinal motor stones believes to have been used by Dutthagamani's soldiers to sharpen their swords and for their medical purposes are preserved among the ruins. As per local legends the famous villages called “Olukarada” “Bellankadawala” where Jayasenas head and rest of body fallen upon bare-hands dual among Gotaimbara (one of the Ten Giant Warriors of King Dutugamunu) located very close to Manawakanda . Manawekanda is believed to be the source which formed stone pillars for the Lovamahapaya made in the king Dutugamunus’ era. (https://jobs.undp.org, 2016)