Tissa

Tissamaharama, located 264km from Colombo in the southeastern corner of the island, is a city with more history, more archaeological ruins, and more character than many another southern Sri Lankan towns. Although located in the dry zone and surrounded by the barren, windswept land of the Hambantota district, Tissa’s large tank, the Tissa Wewa is constructed many years ago, to keep this town looking lush and green all year round. Tissa was a stronghold for the southern kings of the ancient Kingdom of Ruhuna, whose names it is derived from. It is one of the second most important historical sites in Sri Lanka behind Anuradhapura.

 
Visitors usually just come to use the town’s good selection of hotels before heading off to the wilds of Yala West (Ruhuna) National Park and the jungle shrine of Kataragama. On arriving in Tissa two features will automatically catch your eye; a huge expanse of water and a bright white dagoba. According to ancient maps, the Tissa Wewa is the largest and oldest of the four artificial tanks (man-made reservoirs) in the area. 
 

The design of the Dagoba is full of symbolic meaning as the bell-shaped hemisphere is said to represent heaven and the spires, once made of a precious metal, are said to reach to the gods. This dagoba allegedly holds a sacred tooth relic and a forehead bone relic, and is said to have been built on the site of where the Buddha stayed on his third visit to Sri Lanka. Next to the dagoba is a small but interesting museum housing and displaying clearly - though with few labels - ancient tiles, Buddhist statues, ceramics and even a 2,200-year-old monks’ urinal. 
 

This quiet and friendly town is surrounded by bright green paddy fields. The tanks become busy swimming and washing places for locals during weekends. You also can buy fish around the tank and many varieties of snacks. It is such a relaxed and charming place you should not miss.
 
(Content Source : Travel Sri Lanka Magazine)
(Image Source   : mysrilankaholidays.com)