A Coastal wetland of Natural origin located in the Wet Zone of the Southern province. There are 14 islets of varying sizes, forested with mangroves and terrestrial shrubs, within the lagoon. The largest islet is located in the southeast corner of the lagoon near Gurukande Temple. A number of waterways connect to the lagoon although its main freshwater source is the Koggala Oya. The lagoon has a relatively deeper basin and larger surface area with respect to other coastal water bodies in the southern coast. Fringing mangrove and scrubland form the main natural vegetation around the lagoon and its islands. Managed vegetation types around the lagoon include home gardens, paddy fields and plantations (rubber, coconut). The Koggala beach is a popular nesting area for all five species of marine turtles that visit Sri Lanka. The wetland ecosystem serves as breeding and foraging grounds for herons (Ardeola grayii, Nycticorax nycticorax) egrets (Mesophoyx intermedia, Egretta garzetta), waterfowl (Dendrocygna javanica), kingfishers (Alcedo atthis, Halcyon capensis) and terns (Sterna spp.) that feed on the aquatic organisms. Rare mammals include Lutra lutra, and Prionailurus viverrinus.
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