Hambantota: Salt Pans, Birdlife and History

Hambantota can be explored through several specific themes: salt production and birdlife at the salt pans known as Lewayas, as well as the history of the lighthouse, Martello Tower and Gallows Tree. If you are looking for hotels in Hambantota, these highlights can help you decide which themes to focus on during your stay. The salt pans bring together a local production process and diverse birdlife; the historic buildings represent other aspects of the area. There is another excursion destination nearby.

Location and Surroundings

Hambantota is located 241 kilometres south of Colombo on the A2 coastal road, in the Hambantota District of Sri Lanka’s Southern Province. This information gives you a geographical reference point for your journey; check the current route before setting off. The Ridiyagama Safari Park is located near Hambantota. You can travel through the park by bus or safari jeep. It is a separate destination in the surrounding area and a different part of a trip from Hambantota’s historic sites and salt pans.

Salt Pans and Birdlife

At Hambantota’s salt pans, also known as Lewayas, seawater is let in and evaporates. The remaining salt is scraped off and collected. This brings together two specific themes in one place: salt production and the birds attracted to the pans. These include numerous wading and coastal birds, such as greater flamingos, spot-billed pelicans, various species of plover and tern, gulls, ducks, herons and sandpipers. These examples range from individual, conspicuous species to several groups of wading and coastal birds. If you would like to include nature and local production in your travel plans, the salt pans offer two different perspectives.

Lighthouse, Martello Tower and Gallows Tree

The Hambantota Lighthouse was built in 1878. An article from 2015 reports that its lamp was gas-powered and gives its height as 35 feet. The lighthouse was intended to provide ships with light at night to help them navigate their route. Its year of construction, light source and purpose connect the tower with the history of shipping.

The British built the Martello Tower on the tip of a rocky headland next to the lighthouse, under the direction of Captain Coper; it overlooks the sea. An article from 2015 described it as the only Martello tower in Asia. The Gallows Tree was also built facing the sea, behind the official residence of the British army commander at the time. An article from 2015 described it as Sri Lanka’s only gallows tree in an open area. The two statements are worded differently: the Martello Tower is described as the only tower of its kind in Asia, while the Gallows Tree is described in terms of its location in Sri Lanka and its open setting.

A report from 2015 recounts that the 2004 tsunami devastated Hambantota. The report also notes that the new town developed farther from the coast after the tsunami. This places the 2004 tsunami and the subsequent reported development of the new town in chronological context.

Discover more destinations: Galkaduwa, Palatupana, Yala, Tangalla, Agunukolapelessa, Migahajandura, Sea Coast, Ranna

For the overview of the wider trip: Hambantota.