Tsunami Memorial

Hikkaduwa & Around


This small monument remembers the 35,000 people who lost their lives just in Sri Lanka during the 2004 tsunami and the hundreds of thousands of others whose lives were changed profoundly. It was around here that the tsunami washed away a packed commuter train with the loss of over 1200 lives – the world's worst ever train disaster.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Hikkaduwa & Around attractions

1. Tsunami Honganji Vihara

0.21 MILES

Right on the coast north of Hikkaduwa is this statue of a standing Buddha facing the waves with his hands in the abhaya mudra (Buddha pose conveying…

2. Tsunami Education Centre and Museum

0.24 MILES

This locally run centre focuses on tsunami education for locals, but also has some dramatic and harrowing photos of the 2004 tsunami, including some of…

3. Tsunami Photo Museum

0.3 MILES

This ramshackle, private museum 3.5km north of Hikkaduwa tells the story through photographs and newspaper features of that dreadful day in 2004 when the…

4. Seenigama Vihara

0.68 MILES

About 2km north of Hikkaduwa is the Seenigama Vihara, perched on its own island. It’s one of only two temples in the country where victims of theft can…

5. Hikkaduwa National Park

2.08 MILES

Hikkaduwa’s marine park stretches along the northern end of the beach and is an easy way to get a glimpse of some of Sri Lanka's undersea life…

6. Gangarama Maha Vihara

2.12 MILES

This interesting Buddhist temple has lots of popular educational paintings that are the work of one man over nearly a decade. The monks are happy to show…

7. Hikkaduwa Lake

2.34 MILES

Hikkaduwa Lake, with its monitor lizards and numerous birds, makes for a pleasant excursion away from the beach. Boat tours can sometimes be organised on…

8. Moonstone Mines

2.38 MILES

Have you ever wondered where that pretty little moonstone on your finger actually comes from? Head inland 7km to Mitiyagoda and you can descend (not…