Tissamaharama
The main reason for visiting Tissamaharama, usually just called Tissa, is as the gateway to Yala National Park. One of the island's best-known reserves, and one of its biggest, encompassing an erea of 1,300sq km (500sqmiles). the best way to visit the park is to hire a jeep and Driver in Tissa independently, or through your hotel whose contacts could produce a better safari experience. Some private Jeep operators skirt the real park and drive unsuspecting guests around in circles. The park is closed in September for the animal's sake.

Tissa's other attractions are a number of ancient dagobas, and the local tanks (artifical lakes) including the Tissawewa, and the Wirawila, on the hambantota-Wellawaya road. These lakes form a busy bird sanctuary and you may also see crocodiles, monkeys and elephants. the Tissa Rest House on the banks of the lake is smartly run and more like a hotel than a traditional bungalow style lodging house.