Mirissa

Mirissa (Sinhala: මිරිස්ස) is a small town on the south coast of Sri Lanka, located in the Matara District of the Southern Province. It is approximately 150 kilometres (93 mi) south of Colombo and is situated at an elevation of 4 metres (13 ft) above sea level. Mirissa's beach and nightlife make it a popular tourist destination. It is also a fishing port and one of the island's main whale and dolphin watching locations.

Mirissa

මිරිස්ස
Mirissa Beach
Mirissa
Coordinates: 5°56′45″N 80°27′35″E
CountrySri Lanka
ProvinceSouthern Province
Population
 (2012)
 • Total4,695[1]
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+6 (Summer time)

History

Mirissa is the largest fishing port on the south coast and is known for its tuna, mullet, snapper and butterfish. In 1980 the first tourist accommodation was built however it wasn't until the mid-1990s that tourism to the town started to dramatically increase.[2]

Mirissa was affected by the tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, with numerous homes, guesthouses, shops, schools and temples destroyed or damaged and fourteen reported deaths.[2]

Transport

Mirissa is located on the Coastal or Southern Rail Line (connecting Colombo through to Matara), and the A2 highway, connecting Colombo to Wellawaya.

Facilities

Attractions
  • Mirissa beach [3]
  • Whale Watching
  • Sri Sunandarama Temple

Post and telephone

See also

References
  1. Brinkhoff, Thomas (13 October 2012). "Ella (Divisional Secretariat)". City Population. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  2. Laurance, Chris (10 February 2005). "Rebuilding Mirissa after the Deluge". The Independent. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  3. Weragala, Hasintha (21 July 2018). "A Guide to Mirissa Beach". Things to Do in Sri Lanka. Retrieved 9 Aug 2018. A guide to the Mirissa Beach
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