Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HAMBANTOTA
Once Hambantota was a dusty little workaday fishing town where nothing much ever
happened. But today this formally sleepy place is now the site of the biggest urban con-
struction project in Sri Lanka. And it's all thanks to Sri Lanka's president, Mahinda Ra-
japaksa, who hails from the region and still has a web of family and business ties here.
The bumpy two-lane coast road gives way to huge freeway interchanges as you enter
Hambantota. The new roads are peppered with huge new projects including a hospital,
cricket stadium, wind farms and much more. However, two of the largest projects have
garnered much controversy, even in a country where Rajapaksa's whims are seldom
questioned.
Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport
Named for the president's family, this vast
new facility is 28km north of Hambantota and has cost well over US$200 million. It's a
gleaming facility that lacks one thing: passengers. Since its opening in 2013, flights have
been limited to a couple of face-saving daily services by state-run Sri Lankan Airways.
Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port
Also named for the president's family, this
huge new port near the centre of town has cost upwards of US$400 million and construc-
tion continues. It is meant to relieve Colombo's container port, although the low-capacity
roads surrounding Hambantota have restricted use. There has also been much contro-
versy around the port's depth: some international organisations claim the port is too
shallow for modern container ships, while the Rajapaksa government claims that
dredging has solved the problem.
Most of the new projects are being funded by China. In addition, work is progressing on
extending the railway line east from Matara to Katagama via Hambantota. The first sec-
tions may open by 2017.
Sleeping
There are pleasant hotels and guesthouses scattered all about Tissa. Lakeside ones have
obvious appeal. Just about every place has a restaurant. Note that for Yala tours, hotels
along the park access roads and near the beach in Kirinda are also good options.
Tissa Wewa & Town Centre
Vikum Lodge
GUESTHOUSE
