Hambantota is the main town in Hambantota District, Southern Province, Sri Lanka. This underdeveloped area was hit hard by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and is undergoing a number of major development projects including the construction of a new seaport and international airport finished in 2013. These projects and others such as International Cricket Stadium are said to form part of the government’s plan to transform Hambantota into the second major urban hub of Lanka, away from Colombo.
Hambantota features a tropical wet and dry climate. There is no true dry season, but there is significantly less rain from January–March and again from June–August. The heaviest rain falls in October and November. Average temperatures in Hambantota change little throughout the year, ranging from 26.3 °C in January to 28.1 °C in April
and May.
Famous Places in Hambantota: Under many development projects many constructions were taken place in Hambantota during the rule of former president Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksha. He is also from Weeraketiya in Hambantota district. He is one of the greatest rulers in Sri Lanka and was able to defeat the LTTE terrorism under his superb guidance.
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- Hambantota port is a maritime port in Sri Lanka located in Magampura, Hambanthota. It was built inland and operated by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. It is the largest port after the port of Colombo.
- Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) is located in the town of Mattala, 18 km (11 mi) north of Hambantota. Opened in March 2013, it is the second international airport in Sri Lanka after Bandaranaike International
The airport in Colombo. - Hambantota contains the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium for sports activities. It has a capacity of 35,000 seats and was built for the 2011 Cricket World Cup and is situated in Sooriyawewa, Hambantota.
- Magam Ruhunupura International Conference Hall (MRICH) was built for local and international events. The MRICH, situated in a 28-acre plot of land in Siribopura, Hambantota is Sri Lanka’s second international conference hall. The main hall has 1,500 seats and there are three additional halls with a seating capacity of 250 each.
Places to visit: Among with these constructions, Hambantota is a city full of tremendous natural beauty attractions and religious places. Watching Lanka at Hambantota will take you to all the attractive places in the city including forest reserves, national parks, and beautiful beaches along with the sacred temples with religious importance.
- Hambantota coastal area is full of beautiful sandy beaches which make ideal destinations for holidays. Tangalle, Hambantota, Kirinda, Ussangoda, Ranna, Kalametiya are some famous beaches in this district.
- Tangalle Beach, which showcases a wide stretch of sandy beaches and the turquoise water complemented by the lined palm trees and soft sand is what makes it the ideal place to be in. The beach, located 160kms south of Colombo also offers some of the most beautiful and breath-taking sunsets which makes it the perfect place to sit by and relax.
- Kirinda beach resort offers a peaceful retreat amidst natural greenery situated along with the shores of the undisturbed white sandy beach.
- Ussangoda is a place of natural beauty and designated archeological site situated in Amabalantota. It also has beautiful beach surrounding and is located in the southern turtle breeding zones.
- Hambantota is home to many nature reserves and National Parks in Sri Lanka. Some of them are Yala, Udawalawe, Bundala, Kumana etc.
- Udawalawe National Park lies on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces in Sri Lanka. This was created to provide a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the Udawalwe reservoir on the Walawe River, as well as to protect the catchment of the reservoir.
- Yala National Park is a huge area of forest, grassland, and lagoons bordering the Indian Ocean, in Southeast Sri Lanka. It’s home to wildlife such as leopards, elephants, and crocodiles, as well as hundreds of bird species.
- Major religious places you can see in Hambantota district are Tissamaharama Temple, Kirinda temple and Sithulpawwa temple which gain the worships of Buddhists all over the world.
- The Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara is an ancient Buddhist temple in Tissamaharama, Hambantota. It was one of the four major Buddhist monasteries established in Sri Lanka, after the arrival of Arhant Mahinda
Thero to the country. - Situlpawwa temple is a beautiful very old temple that was once a well-known Buddhist monastery. Situlpawwa temple is located in the Hambantota district and is considered to be an important historical site for Buddhist teachings.
You can tour Sri Lanka and select Hambantota as your holiday resort and visit all these places by taking your time slowly and freely.
