Introducing Matara
Matara, 160km from Colombo, is a busy, sprawling commercial town. The main attractions are its ramparts and well-preserved Dutch fort. Beaches in Matara proper are nothing special, but the one in Polhena, 3km towards Colombo, is clean, white and inviting. Polhena has a good coral reef that you can snorkel to, and there’s a surfing point. Swimming in the Nilwala Ganga (Nilwala River) is not recommended; crocodiles are active and hungry.
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The tsunami caused much damage locally; Polhena was hit hard, as was the old town inside the ramparts.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Hand rolling tobacco
by Rod_B 11 September 2011
Hi Toots, Rolling tobacco is available, but not all that easy to find. I use golden virgina and found a shop i Negombo that…
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RE: Surf, culture, temples, etc 3 to 4 weeks in January
by Rod_B 04 September 2011
Hi Kincho, Regarding Matara.. It's a smallish , really busy ,city with all the inrastructure that you'd expect as a local centre…
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RE: Sri Lanka Accomodation & Itinerary
by spunkywads 20 August 2011
I took the bus last year from Tangalle to Ella. I think the starting point of the bus is Matara. By the time it got to Tangalle it was…
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