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2024

Ampara

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Ampara is mostly known for Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka’s best surf spot. During the colonial era Ampara was a resting ground for hunters, later with the Galoya scheme it transformed into one of the main rich cultivation regions of the island.

Places to stay Read more »
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Things to do Read more »

Surf, relax and explore wilderness in Ampara

More than a half of Ampara is about surfing, many tourists visit Sri Lanka just to catch the fine waves of Arugam Bay.

Arugam Bay Read more »

Magnificent white sandy cove shaped beach, Arugam Bay is among the top ten surf destinations on earth.

Pottuvil Point Read more »

Loved by many surfers, Pottuvil Surf point is an amazing surf spot at the edge of a peninsula-like sand stretch.

Crocodile Rock Read more »

A small rock offering magnificent views of sunsets and indian ocean.

Lahugala Kitulana National Park Read more »

A small national park, but a great feeding ground for many elephants and home to many endemic birds.

Maha Oya Hot Water Springs Read more »

Steaming hot water springs with 56 celsius temperature recorded.

Maduru Oya National Park Read more »

A large national park loaded with Sri Lankan elephants.

Maduru Oya Dam Read more »

A sluice discovered during excavations made to build a new sluice in 1981.

Oluvil Lighthouse Read more »

Oluvil Lighthouse is the first lighthouse built in Sri Lanka after being recognised as an independent state.

Gal Oya National Park Read more »

A high biodiversity park with about 32 species of mammals and 150 species of birds, it is the main catchment area for the Senanayaka Samudraya.

Heritage in Ampara

Ampara was an important area during the ancient times, many kings have built important religious monuments and monasteries in Ampara making it an important historical region to visit. Chronicles suggest that during his third visit to Sri Lanka Gautama Buddha visited Ampara.

Deegavapi Stupa Read more »

One of the sixteen most sacred places in Sri Lanka hallowed by Gautama Buddha’s visit.

Muhudu Maha Viharaya Read more »

Muhudu Maha viharaya is known as the place where princess Viharamaha Devi landed after being sacrificed.

Magul Maha Viharaya Read more »

It is the place where King Kavan Tissa married princess Viharamaha Devi, and later Kavan Tissa built this monastic complex and offered it to Buddhist monks.

Heenanigala Raja Maha Vihara Read more »

A temple built by King Kavan Tisa of Rohana Rata and later used by his son Prince Dutugemunu as an assembling point for his troops.

Peace Pagoda Read more »

One of the four Japanese Peace Pagodas in Sri Lanka, built under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii maha thero.

Buddhangala Forest Monastery Read more »

An ancient forest monastery located on a rocky summit with amazing panoramic views, Buddhangala is believed to be built during the 2nd-century BC.

Kudumbigala Read more »

Kudumbigala is a scenic hidden place of tranquility, the forest monastery within the sanctuary loaded on the rocky mountain offers amazing panoramic views.

Rajagala Read more »

Located in a village called Bakkiella, Rajagala or Rassagala archaeological site consists of ruins of an ancient Buddhists monastic complex.

Samangala Temple Read more »

An ancient cave temple in Ampara with 50 drip ledged caves.

Okanda Devalaya Read more »

A shrine dedicated to god Kataragama or Murugan, Okandaya Devalaya is also known as Ukanthamalai Murugan Kovil.