Hambantota, traveller’s paradise!

Rasika Somarathna

Since the Kingdom of Ruhuna came to be around 200 BC, it attracted travellers and traders from many countries, mainly due to its natural setting as a travel hub. Even in ancient times major sea lanes from Europe to East Asia and from Gulf to China, Japan and other Pacific countries lay encompassing the Deep South. Those days travellers sought anchorage in the natural harbour at Godawaya, Ambalantota. The new Hambantota Port (Magampura port) is situated near Ambalantota.

Even during the British rule, Hambantota was an important district. The famous literary figure, Leonard Woolf, who was the Assistant Government Agent-Hambantota (1908-11) wrote many an article and books about the area and its people. His acclaimed novel, ‘The Village in the Jungle’, gives a vivid description of old Hambantota district.However despite its natural beauty and strategic location the people of deep south, especially those living in the Hambantota district had to face untold hardships. Leonard Woolf in his book Village in the Jungle vividly describes the hardships they underwent due to lack of water for farming, diseases and neglect of development.

Even after Sri Lanka gained Independence from its colonial rulers in 1948, the Deep South remained a developmentally backward area. Its vast resources including its strategic location remained neglected until 2005, a son of Ruhuna, President Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed office. The transformation the area has undergone since then is history. The continuing transformation keeps adding up to history. Today the Deep South, especially Hambantota will turn another leaf in its continuing development with the opening of the second international airport in Sri Lanka at Mattala.

Coupled with an international port, the new airport will no doubt help the Deep South to realize its full potential as an international travel hub. The port and airport will be a new gateway not only to Deep South but to the whole of Sri Lanka as well. It will no doubt open new vistas for tourists. The area has rich attractions for tourists such as, its rich coastline, and undulating plains, numerous heritage sites, ancient cities and an abundance of wildlife. This article looks at some of the fabulous attractions in the area that are well worth visiting.

Bundala National Park

Bundala national park, the only declared Ramsar wetland in the country is recognised internationally for its significant role for hosting over 20,000 shorebirds at any given time from August to April. The national park becomes home to every species of water bird in the country one time or the other. It is also home to Elephants, deer, wild buffalo and crocodiles among others.

The park covers over 6000 hectares and is a mixture of scrub jungle and wetland habitat with shallow water holes. The open habitat makes it easy to spot the herds of elephants and other animals that roam the area. The park is also home to a small population of leopards. Several endangered species of turtles too visit the park to lay eggs on the shore.

Yala National Park

The park is the largest in Sri Lanka and has a land area of 97,881 ha. It was initially established in 1938 only with block I and other blocks were included later. Rainfall is highly seasonal. Main source of rainfall is Northeast monsoons.

All the big game mammals of the country are found within the park. Elephant, Leopard, sloth bear, Spotted Dear, Wild Boar and sambhur. Apart from them small mammals such as Black naped hare, Grey, Ruddy & Striped necked mongoose, Grey Langur & porcupine are common small mammals.

Park is also famous for its abundant bird life. Over140 species have recorded so far within the park. Changeable Hawk Eagle, Crested serpent Eagle, Malabar pied Hornbill, Jungle fowl, painted Stork, White Ibis and Black necked Stork are commonly seen

Kalametiya Bird Sanctuaray

This site can be reached within 1 km from Ranna and includes the Lunama and Kalamatiya lagoons. The area houses around 150 species of birds of which 54 are migratory. It also has 38 species of reptiles, a large number of which are nationally and globally threatened. 41 species offish, about 20 species of mammals and a large number of plants..

Ussangoda

The legendary landing place of King Ravana is another major tourist attraction. Ussangoda provides a panoramic view of the beach and the sea. The area encompasses 20 acres and the soil is barren and red. Scrub jungle surrounds Ussangoda from the land side and on the sea side the plateau drops a sheer 60 feet over a rocky encampment out to the open sea below. Scientist believe that in ancient times this area was struck by a meteorite.

Madunagala Hot Springs

Madunagala Hot Springs is another place to visit. Historically, these hot springs flowed into a natural water hole. Recently they have been renovated.

Here, the hot water bubbles into the ponds and mixes with cooler water there. Warm water flows smoothly into the surrounding basins where visitors can enjoy the soothing mineral water. Changing rooms, western toilets and small shops with snacks and beverages are close by. Special indigenous ayurvedic drinks such as “Belimal” and “Ranawara” are local treats worth trying.

The Kudawella Blow Hole

The site that is breathtakingly mysterious. Volumes of sea water whistle through a natural fine hole from beneath a massive rock in the sea. Located on a rock about 40 ft above sea level, this magnificent site was first discovered after a close scrutiny of photographs taken from the sea.At the site, rough and high waves push water into the triangular based rock bottom, and force it through a hole at the bottom of the rock with very high pressure. With the sound of a blow whistle the water is blown high into the air.

Diving

This provides some of the best diving (or snorkeling) Sri Lanka can offer. The rocky outcrops of the Great and Little Basses are surrounded by sandstone reefs carved into strange formations by time and tide. Several shipwrecks are to be found here. The famous Arthur C Clarke based his book ‘The Treasure of the Reef’ on his dives of the Basses reefs. On March 22, 1961, together with his diving partner, filmmaker Mike Wilson, he discovered the wreck of a 24 gun ship which belonged to the Mogul Emperor Aurangzeb (1658 – 1707), which was sent to trade in the Far East but was sunk in a storm off the Great Basses. Inside they discovered thousands of silver Rupees, all dated 1702.A particularly unique feature of the Great Basses is the light-house that was actually constructed on the reef. It was designed and built by Sir J.N. Douglass, the engineer of Trinity House. The lighthouse went into operation on March 10, 1873, and was occupied and kept in operation until the Tsunami of December 2004.

Although the lighthouse still stands proud, nowadays only a small solar powered light switches on at night. The main lights, which have kept ships at bay for more than a hundred years, now lay silent. Even with all this amazing history, it is to see the myriad fish and occasional marine mammals that most divers go to the Basses. Porpoises, harmless Gray sharks, Tuna, Angelfishes, Groupers, Giant Maori Wrasses (Napoleons), Snappers, Rays and many others denizens of the ocean can be seen here. The Great Basses and Little Basses reefs can be reached from Kirinda by a 45 minute boat ride. Unfortunately, the ocean is often rough and the currents very strong. As a result only around 50 days per year are available for diving, from early March to mid-April.

In addition to these there are many sites in the Deep South that attracts travelers including the Kataragama temple and many ancient cities and sites. The ‘Daily News’ will bring more information on these sites in the future. Some of the information regarding tourist attractions in this article has been obtained from the web deepsouth.lk and the Department of Wildlife.