Weligama

Weligama
Weligama
Coordinates:
Country Sri Lanka
Province Southern Province
Government
 • Chairman H.H Mohamed
Time zone Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone (UTC+5:30)
 • Summer (DST) Summer time (UTC+6)

Weligama is a Urban Council in Matara district on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. The term Weligama literally means "sandy village" which refers to the area's sandy sweep bay. Tourism & Fishing are two main business. Situated at a distance of 144 km from Colombo, Weligama is a popular tourist destination and hosts several boutique hotels. It is most famous for its distinct stilt fishermen and an off shore islet known as Taprobane, where a dream house of French Count de Mauny was built, and is owned today by Geoffrey Dobbs (www.taprobaneisland.com). There are many sites of historical importance and tourist attractions within Weligama and its vicinity.

In Weligama there are Sinhalese , Moors (Arabs), Tamils, Malays and Burghers. Also, all major religions are represented in Weligama including Islam, Buddhism, Christianity (both Catholics and Protestants) and Hinduism.