Weligama possesses an expansive bay where the waves roll in and spill onto the barrel-chest of a beach. Weligama means “Sandy Village” ; it is also referred to as ‘Red Bay’ due to its rose-red cliffs. These red cliffs and rose-tinged islands are the main characteristics of Weligama and can be viewed as far as the eye can see.
If you stroll along the length of the bay you can enjoy the panoramic views while watching the fishing activity. You will see hundreds of outrigger catamarans floating in the expanse of Weligama Bay dotting the sandy beach.
The eastern end is a strategic place to be at sunset that provides you great opportunity for surfing. Also you find a bulk of guesthouses situated here. At the western end, with islands just offshore, the water in season is still and calm and as blue as a Sri Lankan sapphire.
The stunning Taprobane island is another famous aspect in Weligama. Built by a fake French Count, lived on by American writer Paul Bowles, this has now been transformed into a hotel.
You will find houses set amidst lush gardens, decorated with mal lali (an elegant southern wooden fretwork) situated in the street to the west in the Weligama town. Also there are some Buddhist dagobas and churches in the western part of the town.
Weligama is historically famed for the three-metre high megalith carved with a figure, believed to be Kustaraja or “Leper King” at Rasamukkanda. This has known to be carved around the 8th or 9th century. Some believe it represents a leprous Sinhalese king who lived off the village’s coconut milk for three moons to cure his sickness. Another belief is that it is an Indian prince who introduced the coconut to the island, or a Mahayana Bodhisattva (a being who assists all sentient beings to achieve Buddhahood) !
