The Ambalantota is famous for its ancient ruins of the Kingdom of Ruhuna. After his many conquests abroad King Gajaba returned to the country from the port of Godavaya that is within sight of Ambalantota.
History
Ambalantota played an important role in past Sri Lanka as the major city of the Kingdom of Ruhuna. It was called 'Manaulu Pura'. The great king Vijayaba, the great warrior Therapuththabhaya, Divisional king Mahanagha made Ambalantota flourish and Ridiyagama was the commercial hub in those days.
Gajaman Nona's Statue Situated at Nonagama Junction Crossing A2 Highway with A18 Highway
Godawaya ancient port - (Dehigahalanda, Ambalantota)
Ridiyagama Lake
Safari park - Ridiyagama
Kalamatiya Bird Century - Hungama
Madunagala Temple - Koggalla
Walawe River Mouth - Ambalantota
Mangrove forest - Ambalantota
Karadhulena Temple - Koggalla
Liyangastota Amuna - Barawakubuka
Lunama kalapuwa-lunama
Ussangoda National Park-Lunama, Nonagama
Nonagama water park - Nonagama
Kirala Kele Forest - Malpeththawa
Valuable ancient temples
Ramba Raja Maha Vihara
Madhunagala Raja Maha Vihara
Karadhulena Raja Maha Vihara
Girihandu Raja Maha Vihara
Wilgamvehera Raja Maha vihara
Galvila Raja Maha vihara
Uswella Raja Maha Vihara
Godavaya Raja Maha vihara
Therapuththabhaya Raja Maha viharaya
Rangiri Raja Maha viharaya
Transport
The town is served by public and private buses. The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) (also known as the Hambantota International Airport) (IATA: HRI, ICAO: VCRI) is the closest international airport serving the town from nearby Hambantota.
Education
Theraputtha National School is the leading and popular mixed school in Ambalantota. The other leading schools are Vijayaba Central College (mixed) - Hungama and Ambalantota Maha Vidyalaya (mixed) - Malpeththawa.
Surrounding Ambalantota, the other leading schools are Bolana Maha Vidyalaya (mixed) – Bolana and St Mary's Central College, Hambantota (mixed).
The Open University of Sri Lanka has opened a Study Centre for Ambalantota in Rajasaranagama Road, Lunama South, Ambalantota which will play an important role in improving the knowledge for Hambantota students. They offer a wide variety of Higher Education programmes in Management, Language, Education, Engineering, Information Technology, Human Resource Management, etc.
Development
The area is part of the southeastern region of Sri Lanka experiencing extensive investment in new infrastructure and services. The new Hambantota Port (Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port) is situated near Ambalantota. A new botanical garden is also proposed for Ambalantota.
A 500-acre (2.0 km2) Safari Park is being constructed in Ridiyagama, Ambalantota. The Safari Park is scheduled to open in April 2014[1]
