Hambantota District is part of the traditional south known as Ruhuna. In ancient times this region, especially Hambantota and the neighboring areas was the centre of a flourishing civilization. Historical evidence reveals that the region in that era was blessed with fertile fields and a stupendous irrigation network. Hambantota was known by many names ‘Mahagama’ ‘Ruhuna’ and ‘Dolos dahas rata’

About 200BC, the first Kingdom of Sri Lanka was flourishing in the north central region of Anuradhapura.

After a personal dispute with his brother, King Devanampiyathissa of Anuradhapura, King Mahanaga established the kingdom of Ruhuna in the south of the island. This region played a vital role in building the nation as well as nurturing the Sri Lankan Buddhist culture.

Physical Features

With an altitude of 804m Rammale Kanda is the highest point which situated in the Northern edge of the district. There are a number of major and minor rivers and streams in the area that either originate in the highlands adjacent to the Hambantota District or from the central and Uva hills of the island and flow in south & southeastern direction. Kumbukkan Oya in the Northeast and Manik ganga and its tributaries in the west flow through the Yala National Park providing a source of water to the animals even during the driest months of the year. These rivers and streams show very high fluctuations in the runoff between wet and dry seasons. For example, the Udawalawa river, Menik Ganga and Kumbbukkan Oya carries much water to the sea in the rainy season than it does during the dry season. Other major rivers are Uru bokka Oya, Uda Walawa River, kirindi Oya, Kirama Oya and Kuchigal-Ara which flows southwardly. At the western edge of the district, creates few waterfalls and the highest water fall is about 40 ft (Sapugahadola Ella).

Reservoirs such as Muruthawela and Weeravila, Lunugamvehera, Yoda wewa, Tissa Wewa, Ridiyagama tank and Debarawewa located within the district. Some of the significant coastal physical features are the large sand dune which lies along the coastal belt from Bundala to Yala.

Katuwana & Walasmulla DS division s in the district have small tea plantations which show the ecological diversity in the District.

Some of the major geological formations in the district are blow hole which located in Tangalle divisions and the hot springs near Madunagala in Sooriyawewa Division

The Lagoon

Mangrove vegetation is widespread in the estuaries of Manik Ganga and Kumbukkan Oya. Some of the important lagoons in the Hambantota district are Rekawa, Lunama, Kalametiya, Bundala, Koholankala, Palatupana, and the lagoons within the Yala National park are Buthuwa, Udapothana, Mahirawa, Etiliu and Udagajaba.

Apart from the lagoons there are number of large man made ancient tanks in the district namely, Debarawewa, Tissa Wewa, Weeravila, Yoda Wewa, Lunugamvehera which provides the water for the agricultural activities. There are large numbers of small tanks surrounded by these larger tanks with an irrigation network.

Forest

Hambantota district provides refuges to large number of fauna & flora while three major National Parks in the country located in the district namely, Yala NP (97,880.0ha.), Bundala NP (6,216ha.), Lunugamvehera NP (23,498.8ha.). Additionally, there number of sanctuaries located within the district namely, Weeravila (4,164.2ha.), Ridiyagama (4,273.5ha.), Pallemalala (13.7ha.), Kalametiya (2,525.2ha.), Nimalawa (1,065.8ha.), Madunagala (995.2ha.).

DS Division

Hambantota district comprises of 12 divisional Secretariats (DS). Four of these administration division namely, Tissamaharama, Hambantota, Ambalantota and Tangalle, are located near the coast. The district has 576 Grama Niladhari (GN) divisions, the lowest unit in the administrative structure of the country, each with an average area of 4.3 square km and 1,338 villages

Division	Sq. km.	GN Divisions	Villages
1. Katuwana	100.0	56	87
2. Weeraketiya	113.5	60	89
3. Angunakolapelessa	201.48	51	110
4. Ambalantota	210.0	55	147
5. Hambantota	322.54	30	98
6. Sooriyawewa	156.4	21	56
7. Lunugamvehera	248.0	36	68
8. Tissamaharama	776.6	44	154
9. Tangalle	155.0	72	182
10. Beliatta	100.87	71	192
11. Okewela	38.16	27	58
12. Walasmulla	101.7	53	97
Total	2,525	576	1,338

Local government units in the district is 12 (02- Urban councils, 09- Pradeshiya Sabhas (PS)).

1. Hambantota Urban Council

2. Tangalle Urban Council

3. Katuwana PS

4. Weeraketiya PS

5. Angunakolapelessa PS

6. Ambalantota PS

7. Hambantota PS

8. Sooriyawewa PS

9. Lunugamvehera PS

10. Tissamaharama PS

11. Beliatta PS

Electorates in the district are 04 namely, Tangalle, Beliatta, Mulkirigala, and Tissamaharama.

History

History

Hambantota, in Sri Lanka' dry zone, is best-known for its beautiful Crescent-shaped bay and its slat flats that line the main road for over 16 km – an ago old industry that still thrives today.

Legend has it the archaic name of Hambantota appears to have been Sampanthurai. This word Sampan is said to have been derived from the Malay word meaning navigators, as the Malays, in the olden days were sea-farers who had come in their sailing vessels for barter trade. The word 'Thurai' means a port - a Tamil derivation. Another version, In the legends, ‘Hamban’ is popularly known as an ethnic group called ‘Malay’ or ‘Muslims’ and ‘thota’ means where those groups were landed. During British rule, Hambantota became an importantdistrict. The colonial rulers had left their indelible marks on Hambantota.

Boundary

Boundary of the District

To the North-West of the District is bounded by hills called Panilkanda, Gongala, Kabaragala, Koppakanda and Bissogala which extends from the foothills of the Buluthota ranges, on its Western boundary are found hills called Nagalakanda, Kotihena, Kerakele, Ambangala and Deniyakanda on the North and North-East it is surrounded by Kataragama Hills. While the Kumbukkan Oya and the Indian Ocean is found from its Eastern and Southern Boundaries.

Location

Location

Hambantota District which is situated in the South-East of Sri Lanka occupies 2625.50 square Kms in area. The maximum length of the District is 106 KM. It extends from Ritigala in the West to Kumana in the East. The maximum width of the District is 39 KMs. It extends from Hingurakanda in the North to Welladdoragoda in the South. Just over 29.8 Square KM of the District is covered by major inland water bodies.

Hambantota, the main city of Hambantota District is located near the 148th mile (238-km) post along the Colombo-Galle-Matara-Tissamaharama Road.

As regards the size, Hambantota District receives the 12^th place from among the 25 Administrative Districts of Sri Lanka.

North, North Western : Rathnapura District

North East : Moneragala District

West : Matara District

South east : Ampara District

South : Indian Ocean

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