©
Weligama trip planner
Create a fully customized
day by day itinerary for free
day by day itinerary for free
Weligama
Weligama is a town on the south coast of Sri Lanka, located in Matara District, Southern Province, Sri Lanka, governed by an Urban Council. The name Weligama, literally means "sandy village" which refers to the area's sandy sweep bay. It is approximately 144km south of Colombo and is situated at an elevation of 9m above the sea level.HistoryThe main industries are tourism and fishing. Weligama is a popular tourist destination and hosts several boutique hotels including an off shore islet known as Taprobane, which houses a villa constructed by the French Count de Mauny, and is currently owned by Geoffrey Dobbs. It was the birthplace of the scholar monk Weligama Sri Sumangala.Weligama was significantly affected by the tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, with 15% of the area destroyed, with over 2,200 houses damaged or washed away, and 469 reported deaths.There are a number of sites of historical importance within Weligama and its vicinity, including a 3m high bas-relief statue of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, carved into the surrounding rock, between the 6th-9th century AD. It is known locally as Kusta Raja Gala or Rock of the Leper King and is thought to represent a king smitten with a skin disease (prossibly leprosy "kusta"), who was prompted in a vision to take coconut pulp and water for three months as a cure. When he fulfilled the vision his health was restored, he then commissioned his figure to be carved on the rock commemorating this miraculous cure. This sculpture is believed to be all that is left of the old Agrabodhi Vihara that was located there.Plan how to spend your time in Weligama and other destinations in Sri Lanka using our Sri Lanka travel planner.
Source
Create a full itinerary — for free!
Plan your trip to Weligama
Get a personalized trip
A complete day by day itinerary
based on your preferencesCustomize it
Refine your trip. We'll find the
best routes and schedulesBook it
Choose from the best hotels
and activities. Up to 50% offManage it
Everything in one place.
Everyone on the same page.
Top Weligama tours
Popular things to do in Weligama
Side trips from Weligama
Places to visit with Weligama
Unawatuna
Trip planner
BEST FOR: Beach, Scuba / Snorkeling, Landmark
Mirissa
Trip planner
BEST FOR: Dolphin / Whale Watching, Beach, Spa
Galle
Trip planner
BEST FOR: Historic Site, Gift & Specialty Shop, Nature / Park
Hikkaduwa
Trip planner
BEST FOR: Beach, Nature / Park, Scuba / Snorkeling
Bentota
Trip planner
BEST FOR: Beach, Nature / Park, Water Body
Recently planned trips to Weligama
1 day in Mirissa & Matara
BY A USER FROM SRI LANKA
Mirissa
·
Weligama
10 days in Sri Lanka
BY A USER FROM INDIA
Colombo
·
Pinnawala
·
Sigiriya
3 days in Matara & Colombo
BY A USER FROM SRI LANKA
Weligama
·
Colombo
12 days in Sri Lanka
BY A USER FROM INDIA
Colombo
·
Kandy
·
Weligama
25 days in Matara & Kandy
BY A USER FROM SRI LANKA
Weligama
·
Kandy
12 days in Sri Lanka
BY A USER FROM SRI LANKA
Colombo
·
Kandy
·
Weligama