The quiet inland capital of the district, ringed by paddy fields and irrigation tanks, and the gateway to Gal Oya National Park's famous boat safaris.
Ampara is the administrative capital of the district, a calm, spread-out town set amid the paddy fields and reservoirs of the Gal Oya scheme in the dry-zone interior. Built up around the great irrigation works of the mid-20th century, it is home to a mix of Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim communities and makes a convenient base for two of the district's inland highlights: the wildlife of Gal Oya National Park, the only park in Sri Lanka offering boat safaris, and the forest monastery of Buddhangala. The sacred stupa of Deegavapi lies within reach to the north.
Ampara grew from a small settlement into a town during the 1950s as the headquarters of the Gal Oya Development Scheme, Sri Lanka's first great post-independence irrigation and resettlement project, which dammed the Gal Oya river to create the vast Senanayake Samudra reservoir. The wider region, historically known as Digamadulla, has ancient roots stretching back to the early kingdoms of the eastern dry zone.
The only national park in Sri Lanka offering boat safaris, famous for elephants swimming between islands on the vast Senanayake Samudra reservoir.
A serene forest monastery on rocky outcrops just outside Ampara, dotted with ancient ruins and a white stupa amid the jungle.
An ancient sacred stupa north of Ampara, counted among the sixteen holiest Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka and linked by legend to a visit of the Buddha.
Halal and Vegetarian-friendly options are tagged below. Kosher food is not commercially available here; observant travellers usually self-cater or contact a Chabad house.
Sri Lankan Muslim, Halal · Budget
A dependable halal eatery near the town centre serving biryani, kottu, rice and curry and grilled dishes, popular with local Muslim families and travellers, with vegetarian options available.
Sri Lankan · Budget
A busy town-centre restaurant serving Sri Lankan rice and curry, kottu, fried rice and short eats at low prices, with plenty of vegetable dishes for meat-free diners.
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