Tangalle (Sinhala තංගල්ල , ) (also known as Tangalla) is a large town in Hambantota District, Southern Province, Sri Lanka, governed by an Urban Council. It is one of the largest towns in southern province. It is located south of Colombo and east of Matara. It has a mild climate, in comparison to the rest of the district, and sandy beaches.
Tangalle is a regionally important fishing port, situated on one of the largest bays in Sri Lanka, which is protected from the ocean by an enclosing reef.
Etymology
The name of the town in Sinhala means "projected rock", a reference to the rocks which form the coastline in the town area, which contrasts with the sandy
beach of the surrounding areas. Another rationale is that the name is derived from ran-gala or "golden rock", which relates to a local legend that a holy man once ate a meal there and the rock was turned to gold.
Attractions
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The Mulkirigala Raja Maha Vihara is ( also known as Mulkirigala Rock Temple) north of the town. The temple is perched on a boulder approximately high. According to ancient inscriptions carved on the rock, Mulkirigala dates back almost 2,000 years when it was a site of a Buddhist monastery.
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The Parewella Natural Swimming Area, is located from Tangalle town center.
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Hummanaya blowhole, is located north of the town in the fishing village of Kudawella. It is the only blowhole in Sri Lanka.
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Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary is east of the town. The Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1938, originally with 2,500 hectares but was abolished in 1946 due to the opposition by local residents. It was once again declared a sanctuary in 1984 but with a considerably reduced area. The Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary is an area of coastal lagoons and mangroves,
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Turtle Watch Rekawa is east of the town. At the beach you can watch five species of marine turtles: , Loggerhead turtles, Leatherback turtles, Olive Ridley turtles and laying their eggs in the sand nests at night. The Turtle Conservation Project that conducts a `turtle watch’ programme, which protects the nesting sites until the hatchlings return to the ocean.
Education
Universities
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Ocean University of Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education
Schools
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Tangalle Boys' School, established in 1879.
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Tangalle Girls' School, established in 1972.
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Ruhunu Vijayaba National College
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Leeds International School
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Tangalle Primary School
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Tangalle Model Primary School
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Nakulugamuwa Gamini Maha Vidyalaya
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Rahula Maha Vidyalaya
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Polommaruwa Model School
Gallery
File:Hummanaya-2.jpg|Hummanaya blowhole
File:Bullock cart Tangalle.JPG|Bullock cart at Tangalle
File:Tangalle main road.jpg|View of the Tangalle main road
File:TangalleBeach.JPG|The beach at Tangalle
File:Sri lanka tangalle.JPG|Tangalle coastline
File:Mulkirigala Rock Temple.JPG|Mulkirigala Rock Temple
Notable residents
Suwanda Hennedige Sauris Silva (5 May 1898 – October 1982), dancer (principal dancer of his father's dance troupe, performed the first public low country dance for the visiting Queen Elizabeth), poet, educationalist, social-worker, journalist. He was the pioneer in committing to writing the oral tradition of the healing ceremony of Tovil. Locally a road, Sauris Silva Mawata, has been named after him.
Mahinda Rajapaksa
Sri Lankan politician who served as the sixth President of Sri Lanka from 19 November 2005 to 9 January 2015. A lawyer by profession, Rajapaksa was first elected to the Parliament of Sri Lanka in 1970, and he served as prime minister from 6 April 2004 until his victory in the 2005 presidential election . He was sworn in for his first six-year term as president on 19 November 2005. He was re-elected for a second term on 27 January 2010.
