Artificial lake Tissa Wewa with clouds and long time exposure, Hambantota District, Tissamaharama, Sri Lanka

Getty Images/LOOK

Tissa Wewa

Top choice


The centrepiece of the town and its surrounds is the lovely Tissa Wewa (Tissa Tank), a huge artificial lake. In the evening, check out the flocks of egrets that descend onto the trees around the lake to roost. The road along the southern edge has a wide Lakeside Walkway for strolling. Don't be tempted to swim here as crocodiles are sometimes spotted.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

2. Tissa Dagoba

0.71 MILES

This large much-restored dagoba looming between Tissa town centre and the wewa is believed to have been originally built around 200 BC by Kavantissa, a…

3. Yatala Wehera

0.8 MILES

Lotus ponds surround this site, which has a wealth of elephant details in the carvings (note the footpads). It was built 2300 years ago by King Mahanaga…

4. Museum

0.81 MILES

This small museum, next to Yatala Wehera, contains an extraordinary range of treasures including an ornate, ancient bidet, which – as well as an elaborate…

6. Wirawila Wewa

3.55 MILES

West of Tissa, the Hambantota–Wellawaya Rd runs over this large lake (via a causeway). It's home to resident waders and visited by migrating birds.

7. Ranminithenna Tele-Cinema Village

4.98 MILES

This studio located halfway between Tissa and Kataragama is only mentioned because some drivers and tours will suggest you visit. Structures meant to…

8. Kirinda Temple

6.2 MILES

Kirinda centres on this imposing hilltop Buddhist shrine, which includes a stupa and huge standing Buddha. It's dedicated to Queen Viharamahadevi, who…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "sri-lanka/the-south/tissamaharama/attractions/tissa-wewa/a/poi-sig/1194751/357491",
      "position": "superzone"
    }