

The high diversity of plant and animal species within a limited land area, has made Sri Lanka one of the 18 biodiversity hotspots in the world. Sri Lanka represents the richest biodiversity in the whole of Asia per square kilometre of land area. Many of the plants and animals found on this island are endemic. The island is home to more than 3,360 species of flowering plants, 1,920 fungi, 242 butterflies, 78 fresh water fish species, 322 non-migrant birds and 250 amphibians.
The Island also provides critical habitat for internationally mobile species including five species of endangered marine turtles, around 100 species of waterfowl and many other migrant birds.