The Pigeon Island was opened for the visitors by the Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa on May 28.
The 41.4-hectare Pigeon Island National Park, one of the two marine national parks in Sri Lanka is a tourist hot spot.

Visitors can see rare coral reefs, as well as the characteristic species of Sri Lankan birds and, many varieties of migrating birds visiting this historical island.

Access to the public to the island sanctuary off Nilaweli beach in Trincomalee of Eastern Province was restricted due to the terrorist activities prevailed during the recent past. It was declared a national sanctuary in 2003 through a special Gazette notification.