Mirissa

Mirissa
මිරිස්ස

Mirissa Beach
Mirissa
Coordinates: 5°56′45″N 80°27′35″E / 5.94583°N 80.45972°ECoordinates: 5°56′45″N 80°27′35″E / 5.94583°N 80.45972°E
Country Sri Lanka
Divisional Secretariat Southern Province
Population (2012)
 • Total 4,695[1]
Time zone Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone (UTC+5:30)
 • Summer (DST) Summer time (UTC+6)

Mirissa (Sinhalese: මිරිස්ස) is a small town on the south coast of Sri Lanka, located in the Matara District of the Southern Province. It is approximately 240 kilometres (150 mi) south of Colombo and is situated at an elevation of 4 metres (13 ft) above the sea level. Mirissa's beach and night life make it a popular tourist destination. It is also a fishing port and one of the island's main whale and dolphin watching locations.

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

Post and telephone

See also

References

  1. ↑ Brinkhoff, Thomas (13 October 2012). "Ella (Divisional Secretariat)". City Population. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Laurance, Chris (10 February 2005). "Rebuilding Mirissa after the Deluge". The Independent. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
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