Hambantota
Hambantota was part of the ancient Ruhuna kingdom which received many travellers and traders from Siam, China and the Mallaccan states who sougth to anchor their vessels known as ‘sampans’ in the city’s natural port. These ships or large boats the “Sampans” and “thota” meaning port or anchorage led to the name “Sampantota” an later “Hambantota.” Historical findings have revealed that Hambantota and the neighboring areas was the centre of a flourishing civilization an era of fertile fields and a sophisticated irrigation network.
The Hambantota district has undergone a remarkable transformation in the recent past with the Mattala International Airport and international port being developed here.
Hambantota is in close proximity to several important attractions, the first of which are two of the largest sanctuaries Bundala and Kumana rich in avifauna including migratory birds from Central Asia, Siberia and the Himalayas. About 28 Km from Hambantota lies Tissamaharama which derives its name from the impressively large Stupa built in 3 rd Century BC. This historic town was the capital of the Ruhuna Kingdom and home to an impressive manmade lake ‘Tissa Weva’ a part of a sophisticated irrigation system.
Tissamaharama is a base to visit the Yala National park and Kataragama.
Kataragama is a pilgrimage town sacred to Hindus and Buddhists. The sacred site is home to a shrine dedicated to god Skanda, son of Shiva and god of war and wisdom and associated with God Katirkamam. Buddhists’ believe that Lord Katirkamam or God Kataragama is the guardian deity of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
The origins of the shrine are obscure, however a fascinating fact of its history is an old pilgrim route that connects Jaffna in the north of Sri Lanka with the shrine that is only a few miles from Kirinda at the extreme end of the south coast. Kataragama is a unique meeting point of two closely connected yet separate religious traditions, Buddhism and Hinduism that have co-existed in the island for two millennia with the temple grounds housing both Hindu shrines and a Buddhist temple ‘Kiri Vehera’.
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