Hambantota

Bundala National Park, Southern coast, Sri Lanka Salt pans, coast, lagoons, Ramsar wetland, Birdlife, Elephants, Mammals, Crocodiles, Marine Turtles Located about fifteen kilometers east of Hambantota (a similar distance west of Tissamaharama), Bundala National Park is one of Sri Lanka's foremost destinations for birdwatchers, protecting an important area of coastal wetland famous for its abundant aquatic (and other) birdlife. The park is also home to significant populations of elephants, Marsh & estuarine crocodiles, turtles & other fauna, including the leopard. Stretching along the coast east of Hambantota, Bundala National Park is ideal for instant gratification: in a four hour jeep ride, we can see elephants, 8ft crocs, giant squirrels & flamingoes. Afternoon safaris in the dry season (December - May) provide visitors with the best chance of seeing the wildlife. A Ramsar site Bundala's lagoons, beaches, sand dunes & scrubby jungle stretch nearly 20km along a coastal strip starting just east of Hambantota passes along Bundala's northern boundary. The park is an important wetland sanctuary that's been declared a Ramsar site. The reserve itself consists of a series of shallow lagoons which are surrounded by low & dense scrub. Tracks go through the bush & connect each lagoon. The sanctuary skirts the sea & it is possible to see the light house on the Great Basses some 40 km away to the east. There are two camp sites in the park. Salt pans (Salt lewayas) Much of the park boundary is contiguous with the A2 main road. Before the park, the Malala lagoon, reached by following the Malala River from the main road, is a bird-watchers' paradise, where you might also see crocodiles too. The Karagan, Maha & particularly Bundala lewayas (salt pans) are also excellent for shore-bird enthusiasts. The area of open scrub around the coastal lewaya offers great opportunities for bird-watching with the added bonus of being able to spot the odd elephant & basking crocodile. The salt pans attract vast numbers of migratory shore birds, accommodating tens of thousands at any time, making it the most important wetlands in Sri Lanka outside the Northern Province. Lagoons The park stretches along the coast for around 20 km, enclosing five shallow & brackish lagoons, or lewayas (they sometime dry up completely during long periods of drought) separated by thick low scrubby forest running down to coastal dunes. Bird species A total of 197 bird species have been recorded here, made up of 139 resident species & 58 seasonal visitors, the latter arriving during the northern winter (Sept- March). The lagoons attract an amazing variety of aquatic birds, including ibis, pelicans, painted storks, egrets & spoonbills. From September to March, you can see abundant stints, sand pipers, plovers, terns, gulls & ducks. The migrants Flamingoes join the resident water birds-pelicans, herons, egrets, cormorants, stilts & storks-contributing to an extraordinary variety. Flamingos The most famous visitors are the huge flocks of flamingos. The Bundala area is the flamingos' last refuge in the southern Sri Lanka, & you can see here in variable numbers throughout the year; their exact breeding habits remain a mystery, though it's thought they migrate from the Rann of Kutch in northern India. It's a winter home to the greater flamingoes & up to 2000 have been recorded here. Many other birds journey from Siberia & Rann of Kutch in India to winter here, arriving between August & April. About 350 flamingoes have made Bundala their year-round home. Non-aquatic birds Non-aquatic birds commonly seen here include delicate green bee eaters, one of the south's prettiest residents, blue-tailed bee eaters along with spotted doves, common babblers, parakeets & bulbuls. Peacocks Perched sententiously amidst the upper branches of the park's innumerable skeletal palu tees are the peacocks. A memorable site. Elephants In the scrub jungle is home to herds of elephants. There are permanent resident elephants & larger seasonal migratory herds comprising animals that roam the Ruhuna Yala National Park & Uda Walawe National Park. Mammals Bundala is also home to species mammals, including leopards, sloth bears, civets, mongooses & giant squirrels, as well as rabbits (rare in Sri Lanka, & an incongruous sight as they bounce fluffily around amidst the arid tropical landscape), though the most commonly seen mammals are the excitable troupes of grey languor monkeys. Marsh & estuarine crocodiles We will view crocs along the sides of the park's lagoons & watercourses. Depending on how wet it, your tracker might let you get within a couple of meters of their log-like forms, or even take you to have a peek inside this burros; a memorable experience, though not one for the faint-hearted. Marine Turtles Between October & January four of Sri Lanka's marine turtle (olive ridley, green, leatherback & loggerhead) lay their eggs on the coast of the park. Hummanaya Blow Hole Hummanaya Blow Hole he Hummanaya Blow Hole is a natural fountain, caused when sea water rushes through a submerged cavern and is pushed upwards. Hummanaya is located on the southern Sri Lankan coastal fishing village called “Kudawella”, in between Dikwella & Tangalle. You have to reach there Passing the Matara town and after Dickwella, one has to turn right at Kudawella and proceed about 1.1 km. Residents in the area offer to take care of your vehicle at a nominal fee. The ocean water flows underneath the shore, and then comes out of this hole due to pressure. Water shoots up every minute or so, and it gives a very serene feeling. The spray is often as high as 25 meters, giving on lookers a sea bath on land. Even from far away, one can hear the sounds of the blow hole. There are intermittent periods of silence and then there are sounds similar to the faraway rumbles of thunder “Ho ho ho”. This is when the pressure builds up. Then after a while one hears the delightful sound of the spray as it hisses high up almost 120 feet into the sky at times.Reaching our destination, what greeted us was a large expanse of rocky cliffs. In the middle, there seemed to be a split, within which was a fissure through which the water came shooting up, like a tall fountain that appeared momentarily with a huge sound. The blowhole has always been one of the main attractions in Deep South. The Kudawella Fisheries Association, a Community based organization that operate in the area, have recently taken up the task of giving fantastic boat rides to the blowhole from the Kudawella shore. Approaching this place, one can find many small outlets selling local fruits, thirst quenching drinks and the all time favorite fresh fried fish. In addition to this you will also find souvenir shops with a variety of local handicrafts and ornaments made out of sea shells and other marine findings.       Diving & Snorkeling in Sri Lanka Often referred to as the ‘pearl in the Indian Ocean', Sri Lanka offers world-class Scuba-Diving and Snorkelling tours. A multitude of tropical fish, magnificently colourful coral reefs and fascinating ship wrecks can be explored at several locations off the south coast of Sri Lanka .HIKKADUWA , WELIGAMA and KIRINDA provide breathtaking snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. In the west of Sri Lanka , head to ‘Bar Reef' (Sri Lanka's largest reef, easily accessible from the Puttalam district town of KALPITIYA , spanning an impressive 3 nautical miles in length and 1 nautical mile in breadth). But for the country's ‘pièce de resistance', Pigeon Island , off Nilaveli (just north of TRINCOMALEE ) is a paradise of turquoise-coloured waters and abundant fish and coral life make it the ultimate underwater experience. All underwater activities are conducted by well-trained and experienced UDI and PADI instructors to ensure your absolute safety and enjoyment. N.B. Due to the monsoon seasons, west coast diving and snorkelling is generally best from November to April whilst the east coast waters are at their calmest April – September.Diving Sites in Sri LankaHikkaduwa - With its impressive coral reefs and abundance of tropical fish, HIKKADUWA is recognised as one of the best places for Snorkelling and diving on the Southwest coast (in the southwest season of November to April).  With a reputed and long-running diving school located in the town itself, PADI diving instructors are available throughout the season for training and certification as well as leading more experienced divers in some of the country's best ship wreck and reef dives. Kalpitiya - Despite its natural beauty, the western peninsular area of KALPITIYA in the Puttalam district of Sri Lanka is remarkably untouched by tourism. For keen scuba divers and snorkellers, the largest coral reef in Sri Lanka (‘Bar reef') is only an hour's boat trip from Kalpitiya.  This beautiful reef is home to an incredible variety of tropical fish as well as offering sighting of manta rays, reef sharks and the occasional turtle! Diving and Snorkelling are not possible during the southwest monsoon period (May to November).  The best times are therefore between late November and early May. Transportation to dive/Snorkelling sites is by a fibre glass dinghy of 25 horse power engine. For the more serious divers who want more detailed information on the area, please refer to Nautical Map 1586 (Pamban to Cape Cormorin). The underwater currents in the seas off Kalpitiya are generally not strong, but are influenced by small tide changes of two high water and two low water tides.  The underwater temperature is approximately 75°F so no wetsuits are required (but thin wetsuits could be worn to protect from any bruising from the coral). Kirinda - On the southeast coast, approximately 10km south of Tissa, lies the pretty village of kirinda.The village itself boasts a superb beach and an interesting Buddhist shrine on the rocks.   However, it is best known as a base from which to experience some excellent diving at the famous ‘Great Basses' wreck and the Great and Little Basses reefs (southeast of Kirinda). The famous Arthur C Clarke also put Kirinda on the map when he used it as his base for his diving exploration in order to write his book ‘The Treasure of the Reef'.  A particularly unique feature of the Great Basses is the light-house that was actually constructed on the reef in 1860. Weligama - Also known as ‘sandy village' WELIGAMAis located approximately 30 km east of Galle.  As well as having an attractive sandy bay, this fishing town is also an ideal base for SNORKELLING and DIVING, with many fascinating sites to explore.  For those who'd rather stay above the surface of the water, catarmaran rides are a pleasant way to venture out on the sea.  You can also go out further to the deeper waters to see a variety of dolphins and sharks. Possible Period Early November to Mid April. Trincomalee - TRINCOMALEE (more commonly known as ‘Trinco') is a prime eco tourism venue which is located on the northeast coast of Sri Lanka and offers some of the country's most attractive beaches such as ‘Uppuveli' and ‘Nilaveli'. Fine white-sand and crystal clear water provides an irresistible combination that won't fail to disappoint any visitor who loves the beach!.Snorkelling around the famous Pigeon island just off Nilaveli beach is widely recognised to be a ‘must-do' activity during a stay in Trinco. Rates  Description  Rate USD  Including Equipments  1 Dive  45  5 dive package  189  10 dive package  342  Own Equipments  1 Dive  38  5 dive package  171  10 dive package  306 Our Diving Base is located in Unawatuna

Rakawa Lagoon & Turtle Conservation Project

Rakawa is a seaside rural community engaged in fisheries and agriculture. Its long sandy beach and mangrove skirted lagoon gives it a rustic beauty. There is high local biodiversity as, in addition to mangrove forest, the local vegetation consists of scrub jungle, medicinal plants, and fruit trees. Also a wide variety of wildlife, including mammals, reptiles, 150 resident and migratory bird species, and many arthropods and aquatic creatures can be seen here. Millions of years before man colonized Sri Lanka, sea turtles were coming to the undisturbed beaches of this Island to lay their eggs. The beach near Rakawa is one of Sri Lanka’s most important marine turtle nesting sites where five of the world's seven species of marine turtle come ashore to nest throughout the year. All five species of turtles that nest in Sri Lanka are either endangered or critically endangered. Amongst them is the Leatherback turtle, the largest of all the sea turtles, which can grow up to 3 meters in length and weighs up to 600 kg. It is at Rakawa beach that the Turtle Conservation Project (TCP) has established an “in situ” nest protection and research programme, allowing the protection of nests where they are laid by the female turtle and for the hatchlings to scramble down to the ocean immediately after emergence from the nest. The project at Rakawa is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. It incorporates the local community in its efforts to conserve turtles in their natural habitat, employing as nest protectors those who were formerly dependent on the illegal collection of turtle eggs. Turtles are most likely to come ashore under the cover of darkness, and you are invited to join the people at the Turtle Conservation Project during their night watch. They can explain to you the importance and practices of turtle conservation after which you can join the night watch in anticipation of that magical moment when a turtle comes ashore and lays her eggs.

Hambantota

                             Hambantota
                    
                                                               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

Situlpawwa Temple

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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.

Kalutara

                                         KALUTARA


                              


Just over 40km from Colombo, bustling Kalutara is the first beach resort we reach traveling south of Colombo. Kalutara has a huge stretch of fine sand with Wadduwa to the north which is home to the area's top resorts.

The appearance of roadside stalls selling coir rugs, basketware & reed mats signals the entry into Kalutara. As if the tell-tale signs wouldn't do, Kalutara heralds its presence with nothing less than the immense white gleaming dagoba of the Gangatilaka Vihara, immediately south of the long double-span bridge across the Kalu Ganga (River Black).

Kalutara itself divides into Mahawaskaduwa (Kalutata North) where the beach is more scenic, right down to Katukurunda (Kalutata South) It's one of the west coast's largest settlements, but the long stretch of beach north of town remains reasonably unspoilt, dotted with a string of top-end hotels which make a decent first or last stop on a tour of the island, in view of the town's proximity to the international airport.

Kalutara was once an important spice-trading centre controlled at various times by the Portuguese, the Dutch & the British. When the Dutch deserted the bustling spice port at Kalutara, they left behind canals linking the spice plantations. British replaced the inland estates with Rubber plantations. Though estates now produce rubber, traces of the old spice route are seen. By paddling through the tranquil waters of the old canals en route the little known & intriguing Richmond Castle, a few kilometers inland. Today, the bustling town is better known for its coconut palm gardens & for coconut-fibre mats, ropes & baskets.

Richmond Castle

Richmond Castle, built at the turn of the century in Kalutara, is considered one of the most spectacular architectural works of the period. It was the property of a wealthy landowner turned philanthropist, Padikara Mudali Nanayakkara Rajawasala Appuhamilage Don Arthur de Silva Wijesinghe Siriwardena. The mansion stands majestically at top of a hill, on a 42 acre estate beside the Kalutara-Palatota Road. Once a circuit bungalow for high ranking officers of the British administrative service, today it is a popular tourist attraction, and serves as an educational centre for less privileged children of Kalutara and the vicinity.

Source : http://www.tourism.wp.gov.lk

It is said that 'Governor George Anderson was requested by the royal family of England to appoint a battalion of 40 soldiers to guard the castle and its occupants. Padikara Mudali, as he was known, had a 12-strong staff known as mudaliyars.
Richmond Castle is a two-storeyed building with 99 doors and 34 windows, decorated with glass panes of exquisite design depicting grape vines. Records indicate that two shiploads of teak were imported from Burma for its construction.

Mudaliyar Wijesinghe and his newly wed wife, along with relatives and wedding guests, arrived at the Kalutara railway station by steam driven locomotive.

The entire building is characterised by intricate carvings. The timber remains as fresh as at the time of construction. A dancing hall with a stage is another of its features. The architecture shows greater similarity to an English mansion than to an ancient walauwwa.
The gardens which once boasted a profusion of flowers have now given way to trees like coconut, mangosteen, veralu, guava, mango, rambutan and various citrus fruits. The mudaliyar was a lover of nature, and adorned his garden with marble statues, some of which still stand. However he was not happy in marriage, for he was childless. Having ended his marriage, he bequeathed his properties to the Public Trustee for the welfare of the children of the country. He took up residence in a quiet room at the Queen's Hotel, Kandy, where he breathed his last in 1947.






Gangatilake Stupa

To guard the spice trade the Portuguese built a fort on the site of then Buddhist temple here. The Dutch took it over & a British agent converted it into his residence during the colonial era. The impressive modern Buddhist stupa was built in 1960s has the unusual distinction of being the only one in the world which is entirely hollow. We will be going right inside the cavernously echoing interior. Inside, the cool, echoing walls are lined with a sequence of 74 murals depicting various scenes from the Buddhist Jataka (550 previous births of the Buddha to be - Bodhisattva) tales. The remainder of the temple buildings is situated in a compound on the other side of the road, featuring the unusual Bo Tree enclosures & Buddha shrines.

It's a lively complex, & a good place to watch the daily rituals of Sri Lankan Buddhism: the offerings to Buddha images are made three times a day. Devotees place food, flowers in front of the images, lighting coconut-oil lamps, trying prayers written on scraps of cloth to one of the Bo trees or pouring water into conduits which run down to water the Bo tree's roots. Outside, a sequence of donation boxes line the roadside, popular with local motorists, who frequently stop here to offer a few coins & say a prayer for safe journey.


Sap tappers




The large number of coconut palms along the coast road marks this as the center of Palm toddy industry. Palm toddy is a favourite among the Sri Lankans, as is the stronger distilled arrack, both of which are found throughout the island. Toddy as well as sweet palm juice, treacle or jaggery are produced from the sap which is collected in earthen pots that are hung at the crown of the palms which have been selected for "tapping" The sap flows when the apex of a virgin frond (flower bunch) is "tapped" by slicing it off & tapping it with a stick to make the cells burst & the juice to flow. This usually starts in about three weeks of the first cut. From then on successive flower buds are tapped so that sap collecting can continue for half a year. The skillful tapper usually ties a ring of rope, a brace around his ankles & shins up the tall smooth trunk two or three times a day to empty the sap pot into one he has tied around his waist. The sap tappers move from one tree to another tree by means of a pair of coconut fibre ropes, one for the feet & other a meter right above it as a grip line for hands, tied at the top of the tall trunk of one tree to the top of equally tall trunk of the next tree. The high in the air horizontal circus rope trick saves the tapper time & energy that would have wasted in the cycle of climbing down one tree & shining up the next tree.