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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
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