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