Gampaha Botanic Gardens, also known as Henarathgoda Botanic Gardens, is located on the Gampaha-Minuwangoda main road, about 450 meters from the Gampaha Railway Station. It was established in 1876 by the British to experiment with exotic economic plants such as rubber and to explore the plant wealth and economic development of the colony. The park is home to a wide variety of plants, most of which cover an area of 43 acres in every corner of the tropics. This is one of the oldest botanical gardens in Sri Lanka. This botanical garden is located on the border of Attanagallu Oya.
Henarathgoda Botanic Gardens is actively involved in the development and education of floriculture and botanical research in the country and is considered as one of the most renowned institutions on the island for the conservation of the country. The plant diversity here is also high. The first rubber tree imported to Sri Lanka has been planted in this park. The Japanese garden is a very important part of the landscape. Orchid House and Rose Garden are also beautiful places to explore. Henarathgoda Botanic Gardens has a children’s garden and is a good place to have fun with the kids. The playground can be reserved for sports or other excursions. Another attractive place is the Water Park which was recently added to the park.
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In addition to attracting the attention of its colonial economy, the present park features a boat ride on the Attanagallu Oya and a bridge over the river. The park is home to a collection of endemic palm, orchid, and tree species, 80 species of birds including 10 endemic species, 18 species of mammals including Sri Lankan flying squirrels, 12 species of butterflies, and 10 species of dragonflies. Many of these trees from the 19th century are still in the garden. The best time to visit the Botanic Gardens is after the monsoon season when the foliage is in full bloom and with numerable flowers and is open all year round. A grassy field is also an ideal place for a relaxing holiday.
