Tissamaharama can be considered as one of the most important places in the ancient kingdom of Magama. The ancient ruins and inscriptions in Tissa, as it is affectionately called, are living monuments of its pristine glory.
Three ancient stupas and two ancient irrigation reservoirs make Tissamaharama worth touring. In the middle of the paddy fields is the Santagiri or Sandagiri dagoba, the largest stupa in Tissamaharama.The other two dagobas are Yatala dagoba built by Prince Mahanaga in the 3rd century BC.and Menik Dagoba.
Of the two irrigation systems present, one called Tissa Wewa is situated just a kilometer north of the Tissa town which is always crowded with both foreign and local tourists coming for a bath in it, and the other is called Debara wewa lies to the east of the far end of the Tissa wewa reservoir.
Tissa is also the gateway to the Yala National Park and Kataragama, which is famous for cultural activities. Among other places worth visiting are the Bundala National Park, Kirinda Viharaya and the Sithulpawwa Viharaya, the latter two being religious places.
Tissa can be reached by the A2 Southern main road travelling via Galle and Hambantota. You can also take the Southern Expressway up to Galle and then travel further South to reach the town. It is located 284 km from Sri Lanka’s international airport and 256 km from Colombo.
Visitors also can enjoy a delicious meal complete with cooked rice and tropical fish on a lotus leaf on the bank of the Tissa tank.
The choice of accommodation in Tissamaharama is ranging from small guesthouses and hotels to well-equipped safari lodges, specialized in tours to the Yala National Park.
