The park is situated close to Hambantota, southern province of Sri Lanka with an area of over 6,000ha. It consists of a number of shallow brackish lagoons, marshes, salt pans and inter tidal mud flats. The park also includes arid vegetation largely of grasslands studded with forest scrub. The park abuts golden sandy beaches where nesting sea turtles frequently visit and home to over 149 species of resident migratory birds and the more colorful greater flamenco, reptiles and elephants.