Located in the Southern province of Sri Lanka, in the Hambantota District is the coastal city of Hambantota. It is also the capital of the Hambantota district and is an area that has seen major development in the last few years. The city is home to the...more
Located in the Southern province of Sri Lanka, in the Hambantota District is the coastal city of Hambantota. It is also the capital of the Hambantota district and is an area that has seen major development in the last few years. The city is home to the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port, Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, as well as to numerous sites and attractions, and miles of beautiful untouched beaches. Hambantota was affected in a major way by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Since then the city has been rebuilt and is now becoming a popular destination among international tourists and locals alike. The city is quite Muslim-friendly and visitors will definitely be able to find a few Muslim-friendly facilities like Halal restaurants and prayer areas in Hambantota.
With Sri Lanka being home to some of the best wildlife reserves in Asia, and with both the Bundala National Park and the Yala National Park being located so close by to Hambantota, the city is used as a base for exploring these reserves.
The Bundala National Park, located about fifteen kilometers from Hambantota is an attraction that cannot be missed. This is one of Sri Lanka's foremost destinations for birdwatchers and is home to a plethora of aquatic birds as well as other types. Visitors here will also get to see elephants, turtles, leopards, crocodiles and other animals while on a guided safari.
Home to a variety of wild animals and ecosystems, the Yala National Park is a must-visit for wildlife lovers. This park also provides guided tours.
The beaches in Hambantota are incredibly beautiful. Those visiting the city must spend an entire day out at one of these pristine beaches. These beaches provide the ideal atmosphere for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and for those looking to relax and unwind. If lucky, tourists will also get to see fisherman coming to shore; after a long day out at sea.
Hambantota is also home to Sri Lanka’s main salt pans. Those visiting Hambantota are sure to come across one of the many expansive salt pans found here. These saltpans stretch for about 15 kilometeres along the main road and are quite hard to miss.
The area is filled with a number of hotels to suit any budget, as well as to Buddhist temples. Also found here are numerous ancient remains, like the Martello Tower which is said to have been destroyed and then restored in 1999.
The closest international airport to Hambantota is Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, located about 50 kilometers away, in Hambantota itself. This airport however does not receive that many international flights. Sri Lanka’s main airport; Bandaranaike International Airport, in Katunayake is located approximately 230 kilometers from Hambantota.
Because the town is popular among tourists, there are quite a few Halal restaurants in Hambantota. The names of these restaurants can be asked for at one of the local mosques. There are also a large number of seafood restaurants in Hambantota. Muslim tourists should therefore try out the different dishes at one of the many seafood restaurants in the area.
There are numerous mosques in Hambantota. The Hambantota New Mosque, the Darma Kabeer Jumma Mosque, the Dharul Hasanath Foundation, Fort Masjid, and Al Masjidun Noor are a couple of the many places with prayer facilities in Hambantota. Tourists can also make inquiries about other mosques located in Hambantota at any of the above mentioned masjids.
7th Mile Post,Sevanagala,Monaragala,Uva Province, Sri Lanka
Prayer times for Hambantota,Sri Lanka