Pigeon Island National Park

This is 1 of the 3 marine national parks of Sri Lanka. The national park is 1 km off the coast of Nilaveli, a coastal town in Eastern Province, encompassing a total area of 471.429 ha. The island's name derives from the rock pigeon which has colonized it. The park contains some of the best remaining coral reefs of the nation. It was designated as a sanctuary in 1963. In 2003, it was re-designated as a national park, making it the 17th such park in the country. The island was 1 of several protected areas affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004.