Conceptual drawing of the completed port
The Port of Hambantota (also known as the Magampura Port) is a maritime port in Hambantota, Sri Lanka. The first phase of the port was opened on 18 November 2010, with the first ceremonial berthing of the naval ship "Jetliner" to use the port facilities. Hambantota Port is built inland and operated by theSri Lanka Ports Authority.
Construction of the port began in January 2008. It will be Sri Lanka’s largest port, after the Port of Colombo. The Port of Hambantota will service ships traveling along one of world's most busiest shipping lines - the east-west shipping route which passes six to ten nautical miles (19 km) south of Hambantota. The first phase of the port project will provide bunkering, ship repair, ship building, and crew changes facilities.Later phases will raise capacity of the port up to 20 million TEUs per year. When completed, the port will be the biggest port constructed on land to date in the 21st century.
Situlpawwa Temple
Situlpawwa Temple
Such is the historical significance of Sithulpawwa rock temple that it is identified as one of the greatest 2nd century sites of Buddhist scholarship. It is located in Hambantota district. The modern name Sithulpawwa is derived from the ancient 'Cittalpabbata', 'The hill of the quiet mind'. The legend has it that in the 1st century AD as many as 12,000 Arahants lived here (Arahants are the monks who have achieved the highest state of wisdom in Buddhism). Unlike the great monasteries in Anuradhapura and other towns, life at Sithulpawwa was difficult and a monk or a nun lived there only if they were looking for quiet and solitude. Located in front of the Maha Sithulpawwa rock, 400 feet (122m) in height, is a cave temple. This cave temple, which is 67 feet high and 30 feet long, is part of the intricate cave-complex at Sithulpawwa. The Dagoba of Sithulpawwa can be seen on the top of the rock. The popular belief is that it was built by King Kawantissa (100-140AD). A number of caves have inscriptions in early Brahmi script and from these inscriptions it was learned that a number of villages donated money to this temple for its upkeep. Ancient literary works give interesting information about this shrine. The image house at Sithulpawwa still contains some fragments of paintings. In the eastern precinct of Sithulpawwa, the remnant of an ancient preaching house can be seen, where a cluster of 10 feet high pillars rises from the earth.
HIA - HAMBANTOTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Vision of the government of Sri Lanka is to enhanced economy of least developed regions of the Island. Hambantota and Monaragala districts are identified as potential region and Greater Hambantota development programme was designed to uplift economic activities of the region. The concept of a second international airport for Sri Lanka originated in 1938. The Government’s Manifesto contained in the “Mahinda Chintana” emphasizes the establishment of a second international airport in Sri Lanka.
Yala National Park
Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. Actually it consists of five blocks, two of which are now open to the public; and also adjoining parks. The blocks have individual names also, like Ruhuna National Park for the (best known) block 1 and Kumana National Park or 'Yala East' for the adjoining area. It is situated in the southeast region of the country, and lies in Southern Province and Uva Province. The park covers 979 square kilometres (378 sq mi) and is located about 300 kilometres (190 mi) from Colombo. Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, and, along with Wilpattu it was one of the first two national parks in Sri Lanka, having been designated in 1938. The park is best known for its variety of wild animals. It is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan Elephants and aquatic birds.
There are six national parks and three wildlife sanctuaries in the vicinity of Yala. The park is situated in thedry semi-arid climatic region and rain is received mainly during the northeast monsoon. Yala hosts a variety of ecosystems ranging from moist monsoon forests to fresh water and marine wetlands. It is one of the 70 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Sri Lanka. Yala harbours 215 bird species including six endemic species of Sri Lanka. The number of mammals that has been recorded from the park is 44, and it has one of the highest leopard densities in the world.
The area around Yala has hosted several ancient civilisations. Two important pilgrim sites, Sithulpahuwa and Magul Vihara, are situated within the park. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami caused severe damage on the Yala National Park and 250 people died in its vicinity. The number of visitors has been on the rise since 2009 after the security situation in the park improved.
Sithulpahuwa
Salt Pans
Hambantota is famous for its salt flats and ancient salt pans that stretch out along the main road for about 15km, it has an intensely hot arid climate.
Hambantota bay is an independent travelers' haven having long sweeping white sandy beaches to each side of the crescent shaped bay.
The area it is also a convenient base for exploring the nearby Bundala National Park, Yala National Park and the temples at Kataragama.
Historically, Hambantota has been a sleepy sea-side village, the kind everyone hopes to find on their travels.
No comments:
Post a Comment