Deep South, Sri Lanka.

Deep South Sri Lanka is the tourism in Hambantota district (area of 2,593 km²) of which the coastal expanse stretches 151 km from Tangalle Beach to Kumana Bird Sanctuary. Deep South Sri Lanka is replete with fine Tropical Beaches, Cultural Attractions and Wildlife reserves: Kataragama, the adobe of God Skanda, Tissmaharama ancient city, Sithulpawwa rock monastery, Mulkirigala rock temple and Kirinda Temple are the most visited cultural sites; Dikwella Beach, Tangalle Beach and Rekawa Beach are the most popular beaches; the wildlife reserves are Kalamatiya Bird Sanctuary, Bundala National Park, Kumana National Park and Yala National Park.

The prominent towns of Hambantota district include Tangalle, Beliatta, Ambalantota, Tissamaharamaya and Kataragama.

Hambantota City

Hambantota city located at a distance of 238km from Colombo can be reached by Colombo-Galle-Matara-Tissamaharama main road.

Hambantota Development Zone, Deep South Sri Lanka

Hambantota Development Zone project launched with Chinese aid amounting to no less than six billion dollars includes a seaport, an airport, oil-refinery. It is expected to cost about US$1 billion and the Chinese are said to be financing more than 85% of the project. While the completion of the first phase of the project is scheduled to be completed in three years, the entire project will span not less than next 15 years.

The mega development project at Hambantota is target to convert the district into an air-sea transshipment hub Mattala International Airport, Hambantota 15 kilometers north of Hambantota, Hambatota harbor, Suriyawewa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota, an Administrative Complex, Star Hotels, oil refinery and other similar commercial initiatives.

Investment Zone, Hambantota, Deep South Sri Lanka

An Investment Zone of 2000 hectares surrounding the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa free port is scheduled to be developed. Magampura is made a free port to attract the investors to the Investment Zone.

Matara-Hambantota-Kataragama new Railway line.
The construction of Matara-Kataragama Railway Line running a distance of 114.5 km began on 5th April 2010 with Chinese aid at an estimated cost of USD366 m is scheduled to be completed by 2015. Following the launch of Hambantota Development Zone, it is now proposed to extend the Matara-Kataragama railway line to Hambantota.

Southern Expressway is proposed to be extended to Hambantota, Deep South Sri Lanka
The Southern Expressway running a distance of 126km from Kottawa to Matara via the southern cities of Panadura, Kalutara, Matugama, Bentota, Ambalangoda and Galle is scheduled to be opened in April 2011 is now proposed to be extended to Hambantota.

Accomodation in Deep South Sri Lanka

Hambantota: Peacock Beach Hotel, Oasis Ayurveda Beach Resort, Rest House, San Rose
Ambalantota: Nonagama Village
Kataragama: Mandara Rosen
Tangalla: Amanwella, Lansiya, Manahara Beach Cottage & Cabanas, Palm Paradise Cabanas, Tangalla Bay Hotel, The Colony, The Kadju House, The Last House
Tissamaharama: Tissa Inn Hotel, Governors Lodge Tissamaharama, Hibiscus Garden, Kadupul Safari Hotel, Yala Safari Game Lodge, Wapi, Hotel Sun Sinda, Priyankara Hotel, My Village, Muhandiram Walauwa
Kirinda: Yala Village, Capitol Bungalow, Mahoora
Yala: Governors Camp Yala, Elephant Reach, Panthera Lodge, Margosa Holiday Bungalow, Tree Tops Jungle Lodge, Wila Safari Hotel Thippola, Tamarind Shade Holiday Bungalow, Aranya Resort

Deep South Highlights

Hambantota Salt Pans

Hambantota is the center of salt production of Sri Lanka. The city is dominated by shimmering expansive saltpans that stretch along bordering the main road for about 15km. Salt is produced by means of allowing the sea water into the pans called Lewayas that makes the seawater evaporates leaving only salt to be scraped up and collected.

Hambantota Bay Beach

Hambantota Bay beach running in a shape of a crescent consists of sweeping palm-fringed sandy beaches.

Tangalle Bay Beach

Tangalle at a distance of 195 km from Colombo at the western edge of Hambantota district, with its lovely palm fringed sandy beaches is one of the main tourist attractions of the southern coast.

Rekawa Beach

Rekawa beach located 10km east of Tangalle is one of the prime locations of Sea Turtles who swim over the oceans into their natal beach for the sole purpose of hatching. Rekawa beach is visited by five different species throughout the year. The best time to see turtles is the period of November to April. Full moon days are the ideal days in view of higher number of turtles and visibility afforded by the moonlight. Rekawa has recorded 23 turtles in one night.

Kalamatiya Bird Sanctuary

Kalamatiya bird sanctuary situated approximately mid-way between the towns of Tangalle and Hambantota. The Access to Kalamatiya Bird sanctuary is from the village of Hunagama. The brackish waters of Kalametiya Lagoon fringed with mangroves and salt marshes afford the opportunity to view large flocks of resident and migratory birds of the southern coast. An outrigger canoe trip on lovely Lunama lagoon is an enjoyable means to view birdlife at the sanctuary. The best time to visit the period of November to March.

Ussangoda

Ussangoda located 5km east of Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary is a mysterious plateau bordered by sheer cliff to the south. The cliffs drop a sheer 20 meters to a fine sweep of turtle hatching beach also safe for swimming. The plateau that spread about 20 acres is of fascinating brick-colored soil that has hardly allowed the growth of vegetation. It is believed the plateau was hit by a meteor in the ancient times.

Bundala National Park

Bundala National Park spreading an area of 6216 hectares is located at a distance of 274 km from Colombo, between the town of Hambantota and River Kirindi Oya. Though Bundala National Park’s main attraction is birdlife, it has a considerable population of mammals and amphibians: Elephants, deer and crocodiles. During the period of September to April, the shallow brackish lagoons of Bundala that make up an area of 2,250 ha, during the period of September to February is swarmed with thousands of migratory birds that arrive at the park seek shelter from the harsh European winter. Bundala National Park is a refuge of the greater flamingo.

Ruhuna Yala National Park

Ruhuna Yala National Park, the most popular wildlife reserve located at the eastern side of Hambantota district is famous for its population of leopards. Yala that affords the sightings of elephant is home to sloth bear, deer, jackal, crocodile wild buffaloes, wild boars and a wide variety of bird species. The gateway to Yala National Park is the ancient southern city of Tissamahara.
Elephants are best seen during the period of October to December. Though Yala spread over an expanse of 127,000 ha, only an area of 14.000 ha called Block 1 is open to the public.

Mulkirigala rock temple

Mulkirigala rock temple is located 16km off the coastal town of Tangalle. The inscriptions carved into the rocks reveal the temple has been a Buddhist monastery for millenniums. On each of the terrace in the ascent to the summit of Mulkirigala are cave temples with murals and Buddha statues. The summit of the rock affords breathtaking view of the countryside and the wooded forest.

Tissamaharama

Tissamaharama, the gateway to Ruhuna Yala National Park, surrounded by paddy fields and man-made lakes is a very pleasant town. Tissmaharama stupa located in the center of the town is one of the largest stupa in Sri Lanka.

Sithulpawwa Rock Temple

Situlpawwa rock temple is located deep within the Yala National Park. The inscriptions found in the rock walls reveal that the history of the Situlpawwa Rock Temple dates back to a couple of millenniums. The main attractions are two temples that sit prettily on rocky outcrops. Within the rocky outcrops are caves once inhabited by the Buddhist monks. The last section of the ascent of the rock is supported by iron railings erected upon to the rock surface.

Hummanaya Blow Hole at Kuduwella, Dickwella

1.1 km off the village of Kudawella is a large expanse of rocky cliffs by the sea. In the middle of the rocky cliffs is a fissure that runs deep into the bottom of the cliff at the sea. Once in every 10-15 minutes, accompanied with a whistle of whooshing is a fountain of sea-water that shoot up through the cleft over 100 feet at great speed.

Madunagala Hot Springs, Hambantota

Laying in a wide expanse of open country, Madunagala Hot Springs, isolated hot water spring is located in an expansive open are of the countryside of Madunagala.Recently, the stone enclosures with ponds are built around the spring and set up with Changing rooms, toilets and small shops with snacks and beverages including indigenous ayurvedic drinks such as "Belimal" and "Ranawara."

Angulmaduwa Brassworkers at Angulmaduwa village, Hambantota

Angulmaduwa is said to be one of the most ancient villages of Brass craftsmen. It is believed Iron-smelting and steel tempering have been practiced in the village for millenniums. Located close to Mulkirigala Rock Temple, the village of Angulamaduwa affords the visitors to witness the traditional brass workers turning out quality traditional brassware. Here is an opportunity to buy fine brass works at fair prices from the craftsmen themselves.

Suriyawewa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota

Suriyawewa Hambantota International Cricket Stadium set up with 10 Turf Wickets, is the largest Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka. It was built in the year 2010 in time to host ICC Cricket World Cup in February 2011.

Mirijjawila Botanical Gardens, Hambantota

A 300-acre botanical garden is being set up in Mirijjawila in the Hambantota district of Sri Lanka to assist research on the plants endemic to the dry zone of Sri Lanka. The dry zone of Sri Lanka being known to support a large number of herbal plants, Mirijjawila Botanical Gardens is set to become the center of herbal industry promotion.

Ruhunu Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Harbor at Hambantota

For more than three decades, the proposals to build a sea port at Hambantota has been in simply on the drawing rooms: the plans never made a move off the concept. Finally the project was launched with Chinese aid in January 2008.
The first phase of the project with an estimated cost of USD 300 is expected to be completed during the year 2011. The first phase of the port project is planned to provide bunkering, ship repair, ship building and facilities for crew changes. The port has four terminals, two for cargo and two for fuel bunkering.
The second phase with an estimated cost of USD 600 million is planned to build a container terminal that would be completed in 2014 targeting a sizeable traffic of 70,000 ships that sail in the east west shipping lane of the Indian Ocean. The port spreading 16 sq.km is designed to accommodate 33 vessels at any given time, making it the largest port in South Asia.
The third phase will include a dockyard. Upon completion, the port will cover 4,000 acres (16 km2) of land and accommodate 33 vessels at any given time, making it the largest port in South Asia and the largest seaport constructed in land to date in the 21st century.

Mattala International Airport, Hambantota

Mattala is a small town located 15 kilometers north of Hambantota in the district of Hambantota. The USD 200 million first phase of the construction of Mattala International Airport began in November 2009; expected to be completed in by December 2011; the first flight is scheduled to land in January 2012.
The area surrounding the Mattala International Airport having vast expanses available for development, the airport is ideally located to provide airport related industries such as aircraft paintings, aircraft workshops, engine repair shops, training schools, a flight training facilities at low cost service.
Duel lane ground access system will be available from Embilipitiya and Thanamalwila to the proposed airport.

Hotels related to Deep South

-	Hotel Eva Lanka (0km from Tangalle)	-	Mandara Rosen (17km from Kataragama)
-	The Oasis Ayurveda Beach Resort (0km from Hambantota)	-	Peacock Beach Hotel (0km from Hambantota)
-	Elephant Reach Yala (0km from Tissamaharama)	-	Golden Coconut Cabanas (0km from Tangalle)
-	Yala Village (0km from Yala)	-	Priyankara Hotel (0km from Tissamaharama)
-	Aranya Resort (0km from Yala)	-	Moonhills Resorts and Hotels (0km from Tangalle)