Hambantota
Deriving its name from the native Sinhala
language words ‘hamban’ meaning
a variety of sailing things and ‘thota’
signifying the port, Hambantota is at large
the driest yet magnificent site seeing places
you need to stop by during your visit to the
Yala National park or the pilgrim at Kataragama.
This remote area now fast developing with a
in built natural harbor, International Airport
and International Cricket Stadium has attracted
tourists fro various reason in the recent past.
Easily accessed by public bus or hired transport
in half day, its also known for the salt refineries
of the Island paradise.
The word "Hamban" is believed to have
come from the Chinese word "sampam".
The Chinese called these vessels "Sampam".
It is quite possible that the Sinhala word Hamban
is a derivation of the word "sampam".
There is no historical evidence to confirm that
is place which is located was the south-east
coast of Sri Lanka functioned as port during
ancient times. It was "Godawaya" situated
at the mouth of "Wananadi"(The Walawe)
which served as the principle port on this coast
during ancient times. Historical evidence confirm
that it was the most important port in the south
- east during the second century A.D. According
to some oral traditions current among the residents
of this region King Gajabahu, who invaded chola
kingdom and brought back the Sinhalese who had
been imprisoned by chola invaders is supposed
to have landed at this port on his return to
the Island and since the vessels used by him
to this voyage were known as "Hamban"
this port had thereafter come to know as "Hambanthota".
However there is no historical evidence to prove
this story. This port which was constructed
on a trip of land extending seawards afforded
protection from the raging waves and currents
of the sea, was very spacious as well as well
known among sailors who plied the ocean routes
at that time.
During the British period Hambantota developed
further not only as a port,but as an urban settlement.During
that period (Until 1928) Hambantota port developed
as a navel center.Messars Walker & Sons
Ltd,were entrusted with the maintenence of the
port of Hambantota and according to the British
addministrative reports a number of ships called
at this port each month.The British built a
Kachcheri, regional offices of some government
departments,Schools, a police station, a hospital
and a court at Hambantota. In this way the name
Hambantota by which this port had been known
for nearly five centuries previously came to
be used, to refer to the whole town as well
as the administrative region round it.
Tourism is a new sector in the economy of the
Hambanthota District. It has become one of the
fast developing economic sectors in the country
and thus occupies a very important place as
one of the highest foreign exchange earners
as well. With the expansion of the tourist industry
in the country within the last decade, there
has been a remarkable growth in this sector.
Tourist industry has opened good market for
the products of traditional craftsmen in the
District. The place is a stop by fro travelers
journeying to Kirinda, Tissamaharama or Yala.
Situlpauwa, an ancient site of historical, archaeological
and religious importance, built by King Kavantissa
is situated within the Ruhuna National Park
. During the King's regin ?there had been 12,000
monks dwelling in this temple .Among the archaeological
finds are dagobas ,cave temples Bodhitava statues,
a ruined vata-da-ge and fragments of ancient
wall paintings
On the south-eastern coast in Kirinda about
11 km from Tissamaharama is believed to be the
place where Princess Viharamahadevi, who later
becomes the consort of King Kavantissa came
ashore having been sent adrift at sea from Kelaniya
. A modern shrine has been built on top of a
hill. Form the rocky beach at Kirinda you could
see in the distant horizon, two lighthouses
built on rocks in the middle of the ocean ,
the Great Basses and the Little Basses and spot
an occasional turtle swimming in the sea.
Tissamaharama, identified as the ancient capital
of Ruhuna lies 267 Km south east of Colombo.
The main feature is the imposing dagoba built
by King Kavantissa enshrining the frontal bone
of the Buddha .Several other shrines of historical
importance -Yatala Dagoba,supposed to be the
birth place of Prince Yatalatissa grandfather
of King Kavantissa ; Menik Vehera;NagaVihara;
to nameafeware located within the area Tiss
Wewa the ancient reservoir still overflowing
with water, with the surrounding paddy fields
adds beauty to the sacred place. The ancient
rock temple at Mulkirigala, Beliattha - Weeraketiya
road , was built several centuries ago . There
is a dagoba on top of the rock with temples
built at different levels on the the rocky slope
accessible by flights of stone steps.
Hambantota, situated on the southeast corner
of Sri Lanka's coastline, is a well-sheltered
fishing port with much history attached to it.
Around 300BC the Greek navigators of Alexander
the Great's fleet knew of the reputation of
the bay as a safe anchorage, and it was due
to their information that Ptolemy included it
in his famous map of Taprobane, calling it Dionysii.
The belief is that the name Hambantota was derived
much later, during Dutch times, when Indonesian
Malays arrived in their boats - sampans - to
the tota - harbor - of this bay in search of
elephants. It became Sampan-tota, the harbour
of the sampans, which over time was modified
to Hambantota. Further migration by Malays to
Hambantota has resulted in the town having the
largest proportion of Malay Muslims in the island.
A major activity in the environs of Hambantota
is the production of salt by the ancient method
of evaporating seawater from shallow saltpans.
These enormous square enclosures, which glisten
with an intense glare in the harsh sunlight,
together with the heaps of harvested salt, are
a sight worth experiencing. Hambantota is also
renowned for its rich, creamy curd, which is
made from the buffalo milk. Curd, along with
it essential accompaniment, treacle of the kitul
palm, is sold at wayside stalls in the area.
They can be recognized by the piles of red clay
curd pots tied up with coconut leaves. The town
makes a good base for visiting the jungle shrine
of Kataragama and the Bundala bird sanctuary.
