Mr.Tissa Kumarasiri Warnasuriya
Hon. Governor of the North Western Province
Mr. I.M.I.Ilangakoon
Chief Secretary of the North Western Province
Location :
Kalpitiya is a coastal town located in the western region of the Puttalam District, 170km away from
Colombo which spreads over an extent of 259 sq. km. This finger-shaped peninsula is bounded to its
west and north by the Indian Ocean, to its East by the Puttalam Lagoon, and to its south by the
Puttalam and Arachchikattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha areas.
Kalpitiya Peninsula consists of 23 islands which has a total area of 16.73 sqkm and is known for its
serene beauty, two of which have been already declared as urban development areas by the Urban
Development Authority. Also, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority declared these 23 islands as
tourism islands under the gazette notification no 1508 / 18 dated on 01st August 2007 under the
provision of Tourist Development Act No. 14 of 1968.
In terms of administrative boundaries, Kalpitiya comprises two Divisional Secretariat Divisions namely
Kalpitiya and part of Mundalama Divisional Secretary’s Division with 31 and 17 GNDs respectively.
Simultaneously, Kalpitiya is known to be a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural town, the
The majority of residents are Muslims, while Sinhalese is the second largest in the area. Other small
groups; Sri Lankan Tamils, Indian Tamils, Burgher, and Malay also live in this area.
Kalpitiya can be easily accessed by road through Palaviya – Kalpitiya road which takes off at the Palaviya Junction from the Colombo – Puttalam Main Road. These roads are forming a network making other modes of transport, such as Palawiya internal AirPort and the lagoon and the harbor more accessible and integrated. Records going far back reveal that it was first colonized by the
Kalpitiya is a finger shape peninsula in North-Western province and its geographical setting, climatic condition, hydrology, and biodiversity (special the beach and lagoon diversity), are elaborated as below.
Kalpitiya lies in the Puttalam district which is considered to be an environmentally diverse area due to its unique geographical features that has the potential for development. Kalpitiya has a latitude of 8°13’46.3″N and a longitude of 79°45’34.61″E or 8.229528 and 79.759614 respectively. Also, the Kalpitiya is considered to be the one of the peninsular which has a chain of 23 islands in Sri Lanka which is bounded by the sea and lagoon. The elevation of the Kalpitiya lagoon is considered to be as 7m (23ft).
The planning area belongs to the Arid zone while the average annual rainfall measured to be 250mm and the average annual temperature recorded is about 28oC – 31oC which is hitting the highest temperature experience. The North East Monsoon season starts from the month of October to December.
Geographical Formation Geologic formations of the coastal belt of Kalpitiya area mainly underlain by unconsolidated sand and Miocene sedimentary sequence.
Geographical Formation :
Kalpitiya is rich in both Coastal and lagoon biodiversity as it entailing of the ocean, the lagoon, and
the islets form an array of diverse ecosystems providing a home to equally diverse life forms of both
fauna and flora some of which are endemic, have naturally become very sensitive and fragile,
besides their scenic beauty and exploration curiosity. Mangrove forests in the lagoon region are
home to many life forms which include a number of birds and fish species, amphibians, animals, and
a host of vegetation.
Further to the above this area also includes a biological network consisting of species such as special
varieties of birds living in the habitat of mangroves and salty wetlands, coral reefs, sand dunes, sea
grass at the sea bed, and a picturesque wide sea frontage. This diverse environment provides a rich
habitat for the species, which are unique to this environment, such as dolphins. This physical
The environment is also rich in 3S, popularly known in the hospitality industry, denoting the sand, sea,
and the sun. This composite physical environment is unique to the Kalpitiya.
Conservation with the concern of conserving this unique marine attraction. Kalpitiya bar reef is the
largest marine sanctuary in Sri Lanka with a total extent of 30,670 ha and 75km.
Bio Diversity :
Kalpitiya is rich in both Coastal and lagoon biodiversity as it entailing of the ocean, the lagoon, and
the islets form an array of diverse ecosystems providing a home to equally diverse life forms of both
fauna and flora some of which are endemic, have naturally become very sensitive and fragile,
besides their scenic beauty and exploration curiosity. Mangrove forests in the lagoon region are
home to many life forms which include a number of birds and fish species, amphibians, animals, and
a host of vegetation.
