Sri Lanka is one of those countries in the world that could boast of having the 3 major types of chelonians, the freshwater terrapins, land tortoises and marine turtles. (The word ‘turtle' is commonly used for all chelonians, despite the habit).

Five out of seven marine turtle species in the world occur in the waters around Sri Lanka

• Olive Ridley Turtle - Lepidochelys olivacea
• Leatherback Turtle - Dermochelys coriacea
• Green Turtle - Chelonia mydas
• Hawksbill Turtle - Eretmochelys imbricata
• Loggerhead Turtle - Caretta caretta

Major problem for marine turtles

• Reduction of nesting ground
• Marine debris
• Human consumption (eggs)
• Environmental changes

Fresh water turtles and tortoise species

• Red-eared Slider - Trachemys scripta
• Flapshell Turtle - Lissemys punctata punctata
• Spotted Black Turtle - Melanochelys trijuga thermalis
• Parker's Black Turtle - Melanochelys trijuga parkeri (Endemic sub-species)
• Indian Star Tortoise - Geochelone elegans