Ampara

Formerly a hunters’ resting place in the British colonial period, Ampara became an official town in 1949 when D.S. Senanayake (the first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka) established the Galoya scheme. Although this town is relatively small and with visits only via enroute, the town does house some worthy attractions.

One of the most popular attractions in Ampara is the Kumana National Park; a fantastic place to visit, especially for wildlife enthusiasts. Covering an extensive area of 35,664 hectares approximately, this park houses a wide variety of birds, reptiles, and mammals.

Some other well-known attractions are Deegavapi Stupa (an ancient Buddhist temple that is well-visited for its historical and religious significance) and Peace Pagoda (a peaceful temple built in 1988 to promote non-violence and world peace). So, while most people do not prioritise this town in their must-visit places in Sri Lanka, one should make some time for this budding tourist-town.