The palm fringed bay and picturesque coves
of Tangalle are a natural treasure, with a lazy
town littered with gentle reminders of the Dutch
days of the 18th century and beautiful villas
looking out over shimmering sands at Seenimodera.
Located 195 kilometers form the beautiful capital
Colombo and 35km east of Matara, is a pleasant
fishing port situated on one of the finest and
largest bays in the island, which is protected
from the ocean by an enclosing reef. You can
arrive at this exquisite destination both by
train and bus or hired transport with in 4 to
5 hours. Exhibiting fine beaches, good swimming
and more than reasonable diving, it is a popular
destination on the south coast. It is believed
that the name is derived from ran-gala or golden
rock, from a legend that tells of a time when
a holy man once partook of a meal there, and
the rock was turned to gold whilst further research
also reveals that it means the projecting rock,
because long ago the town was protected from
the ocean by a long rocky slab that projected
into the sea across the mouth of the bay.
Tangalle has spread since those days to absorb
former satellite villages, so that it now comprises
not just one bay but a series of them. Approaching
Tangalle from the west, you will encounter Goyambokka
and Pallikaduwa, situated on a double bay south
of the town. Beyond the town and harbour is
the large bay, are Medaketiya and Medilla. Medaketiya
in particular has fine white sand, excellent
swimming, and is rarely crowded. The most popular
day excursion from Tangalle is to the stunning
rock temple of Mulkirigala, 20km to the north
where after ascending a series of rock steps
you will reach few natural caves with numerous
wall paintings and Buddha statues. One cave
houses a library in which, a most important
discovery was made in 1826 by a British administrator
who found some long-unseen palm-leaf manuscripts
containing the key to translating the Mahawamsa,
the Great Chronicle of Sri Lanka.
Mulkirigala
is a strenuous climb in some places, reasonably
easy in most. It is well worth making it the
summit, for there are magnificent views to be
had of the surrounding countryside.
What is certain is that Tangalle has for long
been considered a good anchorage. The Dutch
were the first Europeans to discover the maritime
benefits of Tangalle, and their influence can
be seen in a few remaining examples of architecture,
such as the Rest House, Court House and Fort.
The Dutch Fort stands on a slope above the bay.
Unfortunately it has undergone considerable
alteration since it was turned into a jail in
the middle of the 19th century. This fort differs
from many others of the Dutch era in that there
are no massive ramparts. Four main walls, 12m
high, enclose a space similar to a rhombus,
and there are two bastions, considerably lower
in height, in opposite corners of the structure.
The British, too, used Tangalle as an anchorage.
Furthermore, tea planters began to develop it
as a resort, finding the clean white sand and
deep blue water there the best antidote to life
in the sometimes chilly and damp hills.
The best months to visit this scenic town starts
from November through April, you can always
drop by for a visit. Tangalle the land of white
sand and basking sun is a place not be missed
when you visit the coastal South of Sri Lanka.
