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Attractions

The southern coast continues to be one of the most popular destinations in Sri Lanka which is hardly surprising considering its diversity and proximity to heritage sites, tea plantations, lakes, museums and charismatic villages and towns. Galle with a population of 92,000, and in particular Galle Fort, built in 1668 and declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in the 80s, is located just 116 km south of Colombo.

Galle Fort
The fort has been lovingly rejuvenated in the past 5-10 years as investors from Hong Kong, Singapore and Europe have bought, and continue to buy, up what is left of old, dilapidated Dutch buildings scattered among the narrow charismatic streets. Examples of beautifully restored houses adorn almost every street corner, but unfortunately doors are locked and so the public cannot view the best of what the Fort can offer.

Unawatuna
Unwatuna boasts a large curved sandy bay, popular for swimming and snorkeling. Dive centres can be found in the village along with beachwear shops and a variety of restaurants and cafes. This is the place to have fresh seafood and to hang out with the cool crowd.

Koggala
Located 5km from Galle, Koggala is often overlooked as a major tourist attraction of the south. Home to the famous local writer Martin Wickramasinghe, the museum of Folk, Art & Culture was built in his honour at his old residence. To cool off, take a boat or catamaran trip on the lake - watch out for the monitor lizards brushing past your boat! Famous for bird watching and its small islands, one with a Buddhist Monastery, other growing herbs, Koggala Lake is a must-see item on your itinerary.

Ahangama
Best known for its surfing on the beautiful sandy bay, Ahangama and the area of Midigama are also infamous for the stilt fishermen who perche on the narrowest of poles swaying in the water. Try it at your peril!

Merrisa
Amazing beaches are just some of the treasures to discover at Merissa, located 40- mins from Galle town. Wander into some of the local villages to experience daily life, meander through the paddy fields brimming with peacocks and other wildlife. Merissa beaches are particularly good for body-surfing and boogie boarding, not to mention whale and dolphin watching.

Further Afield

Bentota
Approx. 2 hours drive from Colombo; Bentota is a better place than most to stop on your way down south. Famous for its picturesque beaches and water sports, you can also find Lununganga, the former home of Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa set in lush tropical grounds, a work of passion for 20 years.

Ambalangoda
Situated near the famous resort of Bentota and just 86 km from Colombo, Ambalangoda is famous for mask making. Some of the best handloom products such as batiks and hand-woven cottons are also found here.

Yala (Ruhuna) National Park: Yala National Park with an area of 1259 sq km is the biggest National Park in Srilanka. The Park is located 309 km south of Colombo on the southeast of the island. The national park is divided into Yala West (also called Ruhuna) and Yala East. Yala West or Ruhuna National Park is one of the best parks in the world to observe and photograph leopards. There are about 35 leopards in the park, which probably is the highest density anywhere in the world. Other animals that can be seen in the park are elephants, sloth bear, spotted deer, barking deer, mouse deer, toque monkey, mongoose and crocodiles. Yala East contains a large variety of water birds.

Uda Walawe National Park: Situated 170 km southeast of Colombo, the Uda Walawe National Park lies within the Ratnapura and Monaragala districts. It is largely inhabited by elephants, spotted deer, sambhur, water buffaloes, mongoose, bandicoots, foxes, water monitor lizards, crocodiles, wild boars, toque monkeys, grey langur, leopards and various varieties of snakes.

Food & Drink

There are now so many places to eat along the southern coast compared with a few years ago. From old colonial hill-top hotels to roti in Galle town, you can indulge yourself at every meal time. Many tourists renting villas get to experience the best cuisine cooked privately by staff and served in the most glorious of settings.

News & Events

Galle

Literary Festival 27 – 31 January 2010
See the Festival website for more details: http://www.galleliteraryfestival.com/ Five days packed full of activities for the whole family should make this one of Galle’s prime events of the year.

Festivals
January 2010 Full Moon Poya day
The Duruthu Perahera has taken place since 1927 and celebrates the Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka more than 2500 years ago, attracting hundreds of thousands of people to the sacred Kelaniya Temple in Colombo. It comprises three perahera (processions) featuring costumed actors, dancers, musicians, devotees dressed in white and elephants.

February 2010 Full Moon Poya day
The Navam Perahera, which started in 1979 and now involves 100 elephants, attracts more than a million spectators every year to the Gangaramaya Temple, at Hunupitiya on the banks of the picturesque Beira Lake.

February 2010 Independence Day
Navam Perahera is Colombo's grandest outdoor parade and commemorates the country's gaining of independence on the 4 February 1948. Dancers and drummers from around the island take part in a magnificent procession of more than 100 beautifully decorated elephants for National Day.

April 2010 New Year
Most of the country grinds to a halt during New Year as hundreds travel home to be with their families. Plan ahead if you are travelling during this period.

July 2010 Kandy Perahera
This Kandy Pageant includes fire-juggling acrobats, 100 decorated elephants, traditional dancers, and thousands of barefoot pilgrims and swordsmen.

October 2010 Deepavali
This Hindu festival of light is celebrated by the Hindu community in Sri Lanka.