Tissa wetland

 Tissa wetlands combine 20km of beach, lagoons and scrub hosting more than 150 bird species. It’s also the first Ramsar wetland site in Sri Lanka. These wetlands are home to winter migratory birds and large flocks of flamingos. The lagoons are also popular with crocodiles. From October to January the park also receives visits from the endangered marine turtles that lay their eggs on the shore.Buddhism is the dominant religion among Sri Lankans. Its devotees, believe that Lord Buddha visited Sri Lanka thrice and on his third visit he set foot on Tissamaharama. There are many dagobas in Tissa and it is considered one of the 16 places in Sri Lanka that are considered sacred to Buddhist.
Tissamaharama is a gateway to many places of interest. Its strategic location makes it a great base from which to visit places of religious and cultural importance such as the Kataragama Devalaya which is considered one of the most sacred sites in Sri Lanka, visited by people from many faiths and beliefs. Also, it is only around a 30 minute drive to Yala National Park, again a favourite among visitors to Sri Lanka.
One of the must see hotspots in Tissamaharama is the Tissa Wewa or Tissa Tank. This entirely manmade marvel was constructed during the period of the 3rd century B.C by King Yatala Tissa, the founder of the Ruhunu Kingdom, in order to conserve and preserve limited water resources. It is located a short distance from the town and many tourists and devotees on their way to Kataragama make it a point to have a quick dip in the natural pool to cool off after a strenuous journey.

The paddy fields that surround Tissa are irrigated and kept fertile by the water from the Tissa Tank. The greenery of the paddy fields offers an idyllic setting in which to enjoy some peace and serenity amidst stunning natural beauty.

Not to be missed is a boat ride around the lake amidst cool breezes, an ideal tonic after a gruelling day of travel. You can also indulge in a bit of bird watching along the tank bund where you might see a proud and majestic peacock as weary water buffalos amble past. You can also savour freshly barbequed freshwater fish caught from the Tissa tank served sizzling hot with a pinch of lime available from the many vendors selling it along the tank bund.
There are a few organic farms in Tissamaharama where vegetables are grown free of pesticides and chemicals. Tissa is home to several secluded areas ideal for nature lovers and bird watching enthusiasts as well.
There are many dagobas in Tissa but the oldest is Yatala Wehera which was build approximately 2,300 years ago by King Yatila Tissa and today restored to its former glory. Visitors to the dagoba can see significant archaeological findings which lay around the site, namely an ancient toilet system used at the adjoining monastery and one of the oldest elephant wells. There is a newly built museum that showcases important archaeological findings of the area.
A mere 30 minute drive from Tissa will get you to the Yala National Park which is located on an area of around 97,880 hectares; it is one of the best loved National Parks on the island. Yala is distinctive since it is home to a range of eco systems and habitats. It is known to contain a wide spectrum of birds and animals and for having one of the highest leopard population densities in the world.