TISSAMAHARAMA

It used to be the capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom of Ruhuna as early as the 3rd century B.C. Only few buildings from that period can still be seen today.

There are important stupas and archilogical sites availble around Tissamaharama.

The large artificial Tissa Wewa lake, which was a part of a sophisticated irrigation system, also dates from that time.There are five main lakes in the vicinity of Tissamaharama: Tissa Wewa; Yoda Wewa; Weerawila Wewa; Pannegamuwa Wewa; and Debarawewa Wewa.

Today, the town mainly serves as a starting point for visits to Yala National Park, Bundala National Park, Wehergala National Park and Kataragama holley area.

SITHULPAWWA

The name Sithulpawwa is derived from the word "Chiththala Pabbatha", which means the hill of the quiet mind.

Situated in Kirinda in Hambanthota District, Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya has also being called Chiththala Pabbatha in the ancient texts. Stone Inscriptions has identified this location as “Chithala Paawatha Vehera”. This temple complex is attributed to King Kavanthissa who ruled southern area of the country.

Sithulpawwa is known as a location where thousands of Arhaths lived at one time. According to folklore it is said that a novice monk called Thissa who has reached the state of Arhath lived here and later a stupa was built encasing his remains thus this also has been known as Tissa Thera Chetiya.

KATHARAGAMA

Kataragama is a pilgrimage town sacred to Buddhist, Hindu and indigenous Vedda people of Sri Lanka. People from South India also go there to worship.

During the historic period, the general area was characterized by small reservoirs for water conservation and associated paddy cultivation. Kataragama village is first mentioned in the historical annals known as Mahavamsa written in the 5th century CE. It mentions a town named Kajjaragama from which important dignitaries came to receive the sacred Bo sapling sent from Ashoka’s Mauryan Empire in 288 BCE.

It functioned as the capital of number of kings of the Ruhuna kingdom. It provided refuge to many kings from the north when the north was invaded by South Indian kingdoms. It is believed that the area was abandoned around the 13th century.

BANDAGIRIYA

Bandagiriya, a village located very close to Bundala National park is known well because of the ancient temple there. The rock on which the ancient stupas and other ruins are found today is considered the highest peak in the Hambantota district. Marked by the Bandagiriya tank by one side, this peak gives a wonderful panoramic view of the surroundings.

The ancient temple premises which spreads in an area of 100 acres, is believed to be done by king Kawanthissa, in the 2nd century BC. The name Bandagiriya is believed to be derived from the fact that two rocks were joined to construct the temple. The place contains couple of ancient inscriptions too.

During your tour you will visit the place where Andare 'a witty court jester' died who lived during the 18th century during the reigns of Kings Kirthi Sri Rajasinhe and Rajadhi Rajasinhe of the Kandyan Kingdom.

KIRINDA

Kirinda, is situated South of Sri Lanka close to Yala National Park.This beach is one of the most attractive beaches in the Southern coastal belt.

There is a small temple in this place on top of a medium size rock outcrop facing the sea.

As per the historical chronicles, a princess was sacrificed to the sea to prevent a catastrophic sea wave that destroyed the land in the Western coast of Sri Lanka more than 2000 years ago. To some extra ordinary reasons the sea wave was immediately suppressed and this princess survived and landed back at a remote beach South of Sri Lanka. People believe Kirinda is that historical place, where this princess landed safely. Subsequently this brave princess became famous as Queen Vihara Maha Devi.

You will play on the sandy beach here or take a safe bath in the sea or river closeby.

HAMBANTOTA

When the Kingdom of Ruhuna was established it received many travellers and traders from Siam, China and Indonesia who sought anchorage in the natural harbor at Godawaya, Ambalantota. The ships or large boats these traders travelled in were called “Sampans” and "thota" means port or anchorage so the port where sampans anchor came to be known as “Sampantota” (which is now known as Godawaya). After some time the area became to be called “Hambantota”

Hambantota District is part of the traditional south known as Ruhuna. In ancient times this region, especially Hambantota and the neighboring areas was the centre of a flourishing civilization. Historical evidence reveals that the region in that era was blessed with fertile fields and a stupendous irrigation network. Hambantota was known by many names ‘Mahagama’, ‘Ruhuna’ and ‘Dolos dahas rata’.