An ancient dry-zone town beside a great reservoir, the main base for safaris to Yala and Bundala national parks and a former royal capital of Ruhuna.
Tissamaharama, often shortened to Tissa, sits in the far south-east of Sri Lanka amid paddy fields, lotus-covered lakes and scrub jungle. Once the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Ruhuna, it is crowned by a huge white dagoba and ringed by centuries-old irrigation tanks. Today most travellers come here as the launch point for early-morning game drives into nearby Yala and Bundala, and the town is well set up with guesthouses, safari operators and jeep hire. It also makes a convenient stop on the way to the pilgrimage town of Kataragama just to the north.
Tissamaharama was founded in the 3rd century BCE and grew into the capital of the southern Kingdom of Ruhuna, a refuge and power base for Sinhalese royalty during times of invasion in the north. King Kavantissa and his son Dutugemunu, who later united the island, are closely tied to the region. The town's great tank, Tissa Wewa, and its monumental stupa date from this era, and extensive ruins at nearby Akurugoda mark one of the largest ancient citadels in the country after Anuradhapura.
A coastal wetland and Ramsar site of lagoons and salt pans, one of Sri Lanka's finest birdwatching parks and a winter home for greater flamingos.
Sri Lanka's most famous wildlife park, renowned for one of the world's highest leopard densities alongside elephants, sloth bears and abundant birdlife.
An ancient rock monastery of caves and stupas set deep within Yala National Park, once home to thousands of meditating monks.
A monumental white dagoba dating from the Ruhuna kingdom, one of the largest ancient stupas in Sri Lanka and the centrepiece of Tissa town.
Halal and Vegetarian-friendly options are tagged below. Kosher food is not commercially available here; observant travellers usually self-cater or contact a Chabad house.
Sri Lankan, Western · Mid
The restaurant of a long-running local hotel, serving buffet-style Sri Lankan rice and curry, grilled dishes and Western breakfasts, handy for early-morning safari departures.
Sri Lankan, International · Mid
A popular traveller-friendly restaurant near the tank serving Sri Lankan rice and curry, seafood, kottu and Western dishes, with generous vegetarian options and a good spot for a pre-safari meal.
Sri Lankan · Budget
A relaxed garden restaurant offering home-style Sri Lankan rice and curry buffets, hoppers and fresh juices, with plentiful plant-based curries for vegetarian travellers.
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