World Wetlands Day 2016
To commemorate World Wetlands Day 2016, the Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts issued four new postage stamps with four souvenir sheets in denominations of Rs.7.00, Rs.10.00, Rs.35.00, and Rs.50.00 depicting scenes from Anawilundawa Wildlife Sanctuary, Chundikulam National Park, Vankalai Wildlife Sanctuary, and Adam's Bridge Marine National Park.
World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on the 2nd of February to raise awareness about wetlands. This day also marks the anniversary of the Convention on Wetlands, which was adopted as an international treaty in 1971.
Issue Date 02 | FEB | 2016
Dimension 60mm x 30mm
Format Horizontal
Perforations 13 1/4 x 12
Denomination LKR 7.00
SG Number 2348 SC Number 2005
Anawilundawa Wildlife Sanctuary
The Anawilundawa Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the northwestern Puttalam district, approximately 100 km from Colombo, is a well-known destination for birdwatchers. The sanctuary is home to over 150 different bird species, including both residents and migratory birds. The best time to visit the sanctuary is considered to be from October to April.
Large Whistling Teal | Fulvous Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna bicolor)
A winter migrant that resembles the more common Lesser Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna javanica), the Fulvous Whistling-duck has recently been observed with ducklings, suggesting that it is breeding in Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, the extent of its permanent residency needs to be established.
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Denomination LKR 10.00
SG Number 2349 SC Number 2006
Chundikulam National Park
Chundikkulam is located in the Mullaitivu district and situated at the edge of the Jaffna Peninsula and the mainland of Sri Lanka. The Chundikkulam Lagoon and its surroundings were officially recognized as a bird sanctuary in 1938 and upgraded to national park status in 2015.
Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)
One of the most noteworthy migratory bird species is known for its stunning beauty. These birds, with their distinctive pink hue, can be seen in large flocks numbering hundreds or even thousands. Typically, they arrive in Sri Lanka in November and remain there until March.
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Denomination LKR 35.00
SG Number 2350 SC Number 2007
Vankalai Wildlife Sanctuary
The Vankalai Sanctuary, also known as the Mannar Bird Sanctuary, is situated in the North-West region of Sri Lanka in the Mannar District. Spanning an area of over 4,800 hectares, it encompasses various ecosystems such as mangroves, sand dunes, salt marshes, lagoons, waterholes, grasslands, etc. In 2010, the sanctuary was designated a Ramsar Site under the Ramsar Convention, thus earning recognition as a wetland of international significance.
Spot-billed Duck | Indian Spot-billed Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha)
Until recently, this species was thought to be a rare migrant. However, observations of breeding birds and ducklings have led to the conclusion that there is a resident population, which is augmented by migrant birds from India during migration season.
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Denomination LKR 50.00
SG Number 2351 SC Number 2008
Adam’s Bridge Marine National Park
The Adam's Bride, which is also referred to as Rama's Bridge or Rama Setu, is a 48 KM stretch of sand dunes connecting the Pambalm island of India to the Mannar island of Sri Lanka. In 2015, the Sri Lankan government declared a portion of Adam's Bridge as a Marine National Park. The area is in need of protection as it lies along the migration route of various birds visiting Sri Lanka and also serves as a breeding ground for some of these birds.
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)
The largest of the tern species, easily recognizable by its size and striking red beak. Inhabits coastal areas in the arid region. Often, small groups of this bird can be observed on the ground with other terns. Although a tiny population stays year-round, the majority of this species are winter migrants.
