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This species is a Sri Lankan endemic, and is found over much of the south-west of the island. It has been recorded at elevations between 30 and 1,230m asl.

It is fairly common where it occurs.

It is normally terrestrial, but also sometimes semi-arboreal, and is associated with hill streams in tropical wet forest. Adults have been observed in rock crevices, leaf-litter and decaying logs, and within tree holes. Larvae are found in permanent pools.

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The major threat to the species is habitat loss and degradation due to the clearance (clear cutting) of forested areas, agrochemical pollution, and expansion of cardamom plantations.

• 2.1.3 Agro-industry farming
• 9.3.4 Type Unknown/Unrecorded
• 5.3.5 Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded

The species has been recorded from several protected areas, including the Peak Wilderness Forest Reserve, Sinharaja World Heritage Site, Kanneliya Reserve Forest, Haycock Forest Reserve, Gilimale-Eratne Forest Reserve and Kitulgala Forest Reserve. Continued and improved management of these reserves is recommended.

• 2.1 Site/area management

Listed as Endangered, because its Extent of Occurrence is less than 5,000 km2 and its Area of Occupancy is less than 500 km2, its distribution is severely fragmented, and there is a continuing decline in the extent and quality of its forest habitat.

• Dutta, S.K. and Manamendra-Arachchi, K. 1996. The amphibian fauna of Sri Lanka. Wildlife Heritage Trust of Sri Lanka, Colombo.
• Haas, W., Lehr, E. and Köhler, G. 1997. The tadpoles of Bufo kelaarti Gunther, 1859 from Sri Lanka. Lyriocephalus: 2-6.
• Manamendra-Arachchi, K. and Pethiyagoda, R. 1998. A synopsis of the Sri Lankan Bufonidae (Amphibia: Anura), with description of two new species. Journal of South Asian Natural History: 213-246.