Southern province

Southern province

Galle

Galle Fort, in the Bay of Galle on the south east coast of Sri Lanka, was built first in 1588 by the Portuguese, and then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. It is a historical, archaeological and architectural heritage monument, which even after more than 423 years maintains a polished appearance, due to extensive reconstruction work done by Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka. 

The fort has a colorful history, and today has a multi-ethnic and multi-religious population. The Sri Lankan government and many Dutch people who still own some of the properties inside the fort are looking at making this one of the modern wonders of the World. The Heritage value of the fort has been recognized by the UNESCO and the site has been inscribed as a cultural heritage UNESCO World Heritage Site under criteria IV, for its unique exposition of "an urban ensemble which illustrates the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions from the 16th to the 19th centuries." 

The Galle Fort, also known as the Dutch Fort or the "Ramparts of Galle" houses some of the important heritage monuments in the fort. It includes Dutch Reformed Church; Old Dutch Government House; National Maritime Museum near the Old Gate, residence of the Commander; Great Warehouse built around 1669 to store spices and ship equipment.

Moonstone mine

Sri Lanka is famous for its gems, one of which is the moonstone. This pale blue, almost transparent, stone is a type of feldspar known as adularia – the way the stone shimmers when it moves is known as adolescence.

At Meetiyagoda you can see how the stones are actually mined. The miners climb down a 10-metre-deep shaft on a frame made of strong coconut wood. A machine pumps out water, but all the digging is done by hand.

The buckets of soil that are wound regularly to the surface yield around 50-100 rough moonstones a day, though not all of them are saleable quality.

The small adjoining factory cuts, polishes and sets the stones into more glamorous jewellery. In the saleroom you can see some beautiful examples of their art, along with other gems like topaz, garnets, tiger eye and tourmaline.

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2013/02/24/spe05.asp

Ambalangoda

Ambalangoda, close to galle, is known as a centre for antiques and masks.
At the Mask Museum you can see many types of mask. Most are made from kaduru, a light, pliable wood similar to balsa. After carving, the masks were traditionally sanded using rough leaves or shark skin.

Masks are used for several purposes in Sri Lanka. As well as featuring in traditional dance, drama and comedies, and in large pageants and processions, they are also used in ceremonies to exorcise demons or cure illnesses.

The museum also contains several puppets, made from the same type of wood and manipulated with strings. The average height of traditional puppets is around 4 feet, but those representing royalty or nobility are taller and heavier. Puppet shows are accompanied by music on the drum and seraphina, as well as singing.

Madu river safari

The estuary of the Madu river is a complex coastal ecosystem of mangroves and islands. It may be one of the last remaining tracts of pristine mangrove forests in Sri Lanka.

A boat trip is a wonderful way of seeing some of the hundreds of species of plants and animals – monkeys eat fruit in the trees, a water monitor lizard glides slowly through the water, and cormorants, egrets and kingfishers wait patiently on the banks, eyeing the water for prey.

There are around 64 islands in the river and lagoon, from a tiny speck housing a deserted shrine to one housing 250 families connected to the mainland with a very long footbridge.

You can visit an island with a Buddhist monastery, where the friendly young monks will show you a 150-year-old book made of palm leaves and how they cook on cinnamon wood on an open fire.

The main occupations of the local inhabitants are producing cinnamon and prawn fishing – if you take the trip in the early evening you will see the fishermen in their canoes lighting lanterns to attract the shellfish into their traps.

Also you can have a fish spa at Madu river which you get an amazing and healthy experience

Turtle hatchery

One of the most important activities of the project is its hatchery. Within the sanctuary of the project, collected and rescued eggs can hatch safely away from predators before being released into the sea. In addition, a certain number from each hatching are kept back for a short period for 'headstarting' before release.

The hatchery program is designed to maximise the number of hatchlings reaching the sea and surviving through the critical stages of their early life.

 Only a few hatchlings from each batch will ever make it to adulthood. Therefore every nest-ground, every egg, every hatchling and every turtle is crucial to the survival of the species. Unfortunately, sea turtles face many dangers.

Kosgoda is famous for its sea turtle conservation project operated by the Wild Life Protection Society of Sri Lanka. It was established in 1988 to protect Sri Lanka’s turtles from extinction. Since then it has released about 3.5 million baby turtles into the wild.

The hatchery pays fishermen for eggs that they collect at night along the long sandy beach. Although October to April is the main laying season, some eggs (mostly green turtles) can be found at Kosgoda throughout the year.

The hatchery buries the eggs in sand, and when they hatch around 50 days later the baby turtles are released into the sea at night. Only about one in 1,000 turtles survives to maturity.

Kosgoda turtle hatchery also has tanks for injured or disabled turtles, including albino turtles that would not survive in the wild.

Unawatuna beach

Unawatuna Beach is lovely and picturesque, semi-circular stretch of golden sands boarder with coconut palm trees located 4km's southward around the coast of Galle where is paradise for all who desire to listen to the silence of the sea and dive deep into the blue waters of the ocean. There is a reef protecting the beach, which makes it perfectly safe for bathing and this beach is voted as one of the "top 10 most beautiful beaches in the World" by the Discovery Channel and Mark Ellingham, the founder of 'Rough Guides'.

Hikkaduwa beach

Hikkaduwa, almost 100 kilometres south of Colombo, has long been known as Sri Lanka’s most popular beach resort, famed for its surf and coral reef as well as its wide range of accommodation, food, fun and shopping. This is perhaps the only coastal region where that special holiday feeling dominates town, with shops selling resort wear, renting out bicycles, offering courses in scuba diving and selling all kinds of local souvenirs, batik fabric and jewellery. Today it’s a favourite with the younger visitor and the vibrant nightlife also attracts young Sri Lankans looking for out-of-town fun and entertainment on the weekends.

Mirissa

Mirissa lies at the south end of the Weligama Bay and its gentle harbor is a popular launch point for whale watching tours. The Mirissa Beach on the east side of town is a popular swimming spot and its sandy shores are enjoyed by visitors.
The opportunity to see Blue Whales off the coast is drawing an increasing number of Tourists between December and April

Off the coast of Mirissa, the gentle giants of the sea Blue Whales frolic with bottlenose Dolphins, Sperm Whales and Humpbacks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?vo5MPbZZ4xJA

Bentota

Bentota is a town in Sri Lanka, located on the southern tip of the Galle District of the Southern Province

Bentota is a tourist attraction, with a local airport (Bentota River Airport) and a handful of World-class hotels. It is a destination for watersports. Bentota also delivers an ancient art of healing called Ayurveda. Bentota is famous for its toddy production, an alcoholic beverage made out of coconut nectar.