Weligama

The sandy beach bay is famous for stilt fishermen, standing on the cross bar of stilts embedded into the sea-bed a few meters from the shore, a common method of fishing in the area.

The area is also known for its lace weaving, introduced to Sri Lanka during the time of the Portuguese lace weaving has remained a traditional handicraft in the coastal town.

The most prominent site of Weligama is the islet of Taprobane located just off-shore known locally as Yakinnige Duwa (She-devil’s island). On this island virtually invisible under a cover of thick covering of trees lies a beautiful villa constructed during the 1930’s by the French Count de Mauny. The villa still operates as a boutique hotel.

Among other popular sites in Weligama is a 3 meter high statue carved into a rock on the western end of the town. According to legend, this regal figure is of a provincial ruler who came to Weligama to be cured of leprosy, and it is believed he was cured by consuming coconut milk for three months. Alternatively, carvings of meditating Buddhas on the headdress of the figure lend credence to the belief that this statue is a depiction of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. The stone sculpture is believed to be all that remains of an ancient temple ‘Agrabodhi Vihara.’