A Coastal wetland of Natural origin located in the Dry Zone of the Southern province. The Lunama?Kalametiya wetlands are two brackish water lagoon systems harbouring rich biodiversity including a wide variety of habitats and species. This complex is also an important wintering site for a large number of waterfowl. Although 700 ha have been designated as a wildlife sanctuary, the water management of the wetland is entirely agriculture oriented, rather than for biodiversity conservation. The Kalametiya lagoon opens to the sea through a narrow man-made outlet and is connected to Lunama through a shallow, 2 km man-made channel. Inland and near-shore wetland habitats include mangrove, reed beds, salt marsh, coral reef, sand stone reef, seashore vegetation, and seasonal ponds. The lagoons are surrounded by sand dunes, scrublands, grasslands, coconut plantations, home gardens, rice fields and chena lands. 209 plant species have been recorded including 12 climbers, 113 herbs, 39 shrubs and 54 tree species. 283 (14 endemic and 17 nationally threatened ) species of vertebrates were recorded; 35 fish, 13 amphibians, 43 reptiles, 168 birds and 24 mammals. About 75 species of butterflies have also been recorded. Birds recorded include 46 winter migrants. Three species of globally endangered marine turtles (Chelonia mydas, Lepidochelys olivacea and Dermochelys coriacea) nest on the beaches of the sanctuary. Mammals in the surrounding mangroves include two endemic species (Macaca sinica and Moschiola meminna) and three rare and locally declining carnivores (Prionailurus viverrinus, P. rubiginosus and Lutra lutra). Endemic plants around the lagoons include Vernonia zeylanica, Cassine glauca, and Memecylon sylvaticum. The mangrove bordering the Kalametiya lagoon is dominated by Sonneratia caseolaris, while those in Lunama are dominated by Excoecaria agallocha. Fisheries, shell mining, chena and paddy cultivation and livestock production and settlements are the major land use activities.

Lunama-Kalametiya Lagoon Related references