Bundala National Park in Sri Lanka holds significant importance as it is not only the country's first Ramsar site but also the most vital and crowded wetland for avifauna. The park's lagoons are renowned as poignant wintering areas for migratory shorebirds in Sri Lanka.

The National Park encompasses shallow, brackish lagoons with salt pans interconnected by three channels. These picturesque lagoons, along with their tidal mud flats, serve as resting and feeding grounds for wintering birds. The area's golden beaches and sand dunes are frequented by nesting sea turtles, adding to the park's ecological diversity. Additionally, the thorny scrub jungle within the park is home to elephants, spotted deer, and wild buffalo.

The lagoons of Bundala National Park are dominated by blue-green algae, providing a rich food source for various aquatic organisms. As a result, the park's Bundala Biosphere Reserve becomes a magnificent habitat for 149 species of resident and migratory birds. Notably, the rare black-necked stork is known to breed within Sri Lanka, making Bundala a significant breeding ground for this species.

Among the bird species frequently spotted in Bundala Biosphere Reserve are the capion plover, ringed plover, common redshank, broad-billed sandpiper, buff-breasted sandpiper, red-necked phalarope, spoon-billed sandpiper, common avocet, and Eurasian oystercatcher. Their presence adds vibrancy and charm to the park's avian population.

The arid vegetation within Bundala National Park mainly consists of grass flats and trees found in scrub forests. While elephants are occasionally sighted, migratory herds of up to 80 animals have been recorded in the area. Other mammal species that call the park home include the endemic toque macaque, common langur, jackal, fishing cat, rusty-spotted cat, mongoose, wild boar, mouse deer, barking deer, spotted deer, sambar, black-naped hare, Indian pangolin, and porcupine.

The reptile diversity in Bundala is also remarkable. Species such as the mugger crocodile, estuarine crocodile, common monitor lizard, star tortoise, python, rat snake, endemic flying snake, cat snakes, and whip snakes inhabit the park's diverse habitats. Additionally, the beach along the coastal belt is a favored nesting ground for various sea turtle species, further highlighting the park's ecological significance.

Bundala National Park stands as a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, offering breathtaking landscapes, abundant birdlife, and a rich diversity of mammals and reptiles. It serves as a testament to Sri Lanka's commitment to preserving and conserving its natural heritage.