Remarkable Hambantota: Region where art, culture and tradition are seen all around
Monday, 08 March 2010 00:00 By Srimal Fernando
Thirty years ago who would have dreamt that Hambantota would be a miracle region of prosperity? Sri Lankans of a certain age still have vivid memories of Hambantota and what life was like not that long ago? Poverty, famine, pestilence and youth uprisings appeared to be more at home than anywhere else.
Hambantota situated 240 km South East of Colombo has been a strategic location in the Southern region. The district has 2,622 sq. km land area representing six per cent of the country’s land mass. The district consists of 12 divisions and 577 Grama Niladari (GN) Divisions. Hambntota town is the capital of the district which houses the seat of the government in the region. The population of Hambntota district presently stands at 525,370 (2009).
Geographic diversity gives rich wild life resources to Hambantota district. Yala and Bundala national parks located in the South East edge of the district are the two conserved wild life parks. Weerawila, Kalametiya are among the most accessible bird sanctuaries in the district. Majestic elephants can be found in almost all nature reserves along with deer, wild boar, several species of monkeys, wild buffalo, peacocks, crocodiles, leopards and indigenous and migratory birds of all varieties. The larger part of Hambantota is dry and sandy with brilliant sunshine all year round Tangalle , Great and Little Bases on the south and south east coast offers excellent underwater coral exploration sites.
Hambantota which has a history spanning more than twenty-two centuries was known as the “Magama Kingdom” during the height of the vibrant period. The town of Tissamaharama was a classic city. Its impressive second century Viharas such as Yatala, Sandagiri and Tissa are famous for their architectural design and outstanding sculpture. Kataragama - a favourite pilgrim location visited by Sri Lankans irrespective of religion is an important destination to foster reconciliation for peace. The Mulkirigala rock temple with a cave complex and an impressive stone stairway of nearly seven hundred steps is another heritage attraction in the district. Katuwana which has a fort built by the Dutch nearly four centuries ago is a fascinating site to be visited. Hambantota is not merely a historically important district but a region where art , culture and traditions are visible all round.
The growth and achievement of this remarkable region since independence are outstanding. Hambantota district has an intelligent and industrious work force. 42.2% of the labour force is employed in agriculture. 89% of Hambantota district’s population is literate.
Centuries of leverage has shown that Hambantota is a strategic trading location between the Middle East and Far East. The public and private sectors plays vital role in traditional areas of investment such as, energy, telecommunication and transport. The US$ 360 Hambantota harbour under construction is expected to be one of the three major habours of Sri Lanka.
The first phase of the habour aims to commercially open in late 2010. Hambantota International Airport at Mattala will be Sri Lanka's second international airport.
The airport is estimated to cost US$ $210 million and by the end of construction will cover an area of 2,000 hectares. The new airport will have the landing capability of the latest aircraft; Airbus A380.These huge new development projects will change the district enormously, opening opportunities for many sectors.
The burgeoning high end apparel industries are based at Bata-atha, Mirijjawila, and Beliatta. Export Processing Zones yield many opportunities for investment in backward and forward linkage technology. The salt industry, which produces 30% of the total salt production of the country, is the major industrial activity in the district and also one of the oldest in the country. The government administration of Hamabantota district is business friendly and actively pursues the policy on economic liberalization with emphasis on private sector investment.
Hambantota is renowned for its agriculture. The area has the basic attributes for successful agro based industries namely rich alluvial soil, an adequate water supply and abundance of cheap labour. The area has divided agro industry into food crops, cash crops, long term crops, vegetables and fruits. Fruits such as mango, melon, papaya, citrus, wood apple, pineapple and banana grow well here alongside low country vegetables such as beans, tomato, gourd, and pumpkin. Coconut is the main commercial crop. Paddy milling is a major industry in the region. Citronella, cinnamon, pepper, and coffee are some of the minor export crops being cultivated in the region.
Agriculture in the Hambantota district is the largest sector accounting 40 per cent of the Gross Domestic Production (GDP).
Governments from time to time have introduced a range of incentives to enable farmers to boost production and increase output by allowing foreign direct investment in the agricultural sector.
Hambantota is a leading area in the production of cows and goats milk in Southern Province of Sri Lanka. Poultry is another sector which is improving in quality and quantity.Hambantota district is the leading area in the Southern Province in production of milk. Daily 13,407 liters of cows’ milk and 10,871 liters of buffalo’s milk respectively are produced from cattle and buffaloes. Buffalo milk is used for the production of curd and cows’ milk is used for the production of milk powder and sterilized milk. Poultry is another sector which is improving its quality and production in the district.
The new strategy of the government will envisage improving the performance of the animal husbandry sector by self-reliance and sustainable live stock growth. The district has 13,892 active fisher men. The fish industry playing a major role in the district produces more than 20,000 tons of fish annually. Kudawella, Tangalle, Hambanthota and Kirinda are the major fishing ports.
People of Hambatota play a leading role in the engine of prosperity of this region and has been fueled by pragmatism, hard work and flood of individual enterprise.
By 2020 Hambantota district is to play a leading role in Sri Lanka’s development to provide access to new technologies and new techniques, and to share the benefits of the regions transformation with the rest of the world.
The next decade will see Hambantota as a strategic regional focal point between the Middle East and Far East.
Source : http://print.dailymirror.lk/life/132-life/5404.html
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