Weligama is a town in Matara District, Southern Province, Sri Lanka, governed by an Urban Council. 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.
