Hikkaduwa: A Tropical Paradise on Sri Lanka's Coast

• Helloආයුබෝවන්
  [āyubōvan]
• Goodbyeවිටින්නේ
  [viti nne]
• Yesඔව්
  [ōva]
• Noනෑ
  [nē]
• Please/You're welcomeකරදරේ
  [karadare]
• Thank youස්තූතියි
  [stutiyi]
• Excuse me/Sorryකම් කරන්නේ
  [kam karenne]
• How are you?ඔයා කොහොමද?
  [ōyā kohomada?]
• Fine. And you?හොදේ. ඔයා?
  [hōdē. ōyā?]
• Do you speak English?ඔයාට ඉංග්‍රීසි කතා කරයිද?
  [ōyāta iṅgrīsi kathā karayida?]
• I don't understandමට දතුයි හොඳයිද?
  [mat datayi hōdayida?]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseමතකද මෙනූ දැන්නේ
  [mathakada menū dænnē]
• I don't eat meatමම සවන් කන්නේ නෑ
  [mama savan kannē nē]
• Cheers!පොකේ
  [pōkē]
• I would like to pay, pleaseකරගෙන ගෙනාවෙන්නේ
  [karagena genāwennē]

• Help!උක්කොමෙන්
  [ukkomēn]
• Go away!යන්නේ
  [yannē]
• Call the Police!පොලිස් දෙන්නේ
  [polis dænnē]
• Call a doctor!දායකයා දෙන්නේ
  [dāyakayā dænnē]
• I'm lostමට දැන්වීම්
  [mat dænwidæm]
• I'm illමට අවුරුදු වැඩියි
  [mat avurudu vādiyi]

• I'd like to buy...මතකද මෙනූ ගෙනාවෙන්නේ
  [mathakada menū genāwennē]
• I'm just lookingමම බලන්නේ
  [mama balannē]
• How much is it?එක්වන්නේ?
  [eka vannē?]
• That's too expensiveඑය ඉතාං දැන්වීම්
  [eya itān dænwidæm]
• Can you lower the price?මිට මැද කරන්නේ?
  [mita mæda karenne?]

• What time is it?තායි කොයිද?
  [tāyi kōyida?]
• It's one o'clockඑකට
  [ekata]
• Half past (10)දහයට (10)
  [dahayata (10)]
• Morningපෙලලා
  [pelalā]
• Afternoonදහයට
  [dahayata]
• Eveningවැල්ලවා
  [vællavā]
• Yesterdayඊයේ
  [īyē]
• Todayඅද
  [ada]
• Tomorrowහෙද
  [heda]
• 1එක
  [eka]
• 2දෙක
  [dēka]
• 3තුන
  [thuna]
• 4හතලිය
  [hathaliya]
• 5පහ
  [paha]
• 6හය
  [haya]
• 7හත
  [hatha]
• 8අට
  [ata]
• 9නවය
  [navaya]
• 10දහය
  [dahaya]

• Where's a/the...?එය කොහෙද?
  [eya koheda?]
• What's the address?ලිපිනය කුමක්ද?
  [lipinaya kumakda?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?මට පෙතුලවෙන්නේ?
  [mat petulawennē?]
• When's the next (bus)?ඊළඟ කොකුර කොයිද?
  [īlaga kokura kōyida?]
• A ticket (to ....)එක්වන්නේ (.... ලදිවෙන්නේ)
  [eka vannē (.... ladivennē)]

Hikkaduwa, a coastal town in Sri Lanka, has roots that trace back to ancient times. The area was known for its natural beauty and bountiful marine life, attracting early settlers who thrived on fishing and trade. The town's name, derived from 'Sipkaduwa,' meaning 'sword of knowledge,' hints at its historical significance.

Hikkaduwa experienced significant changes during the colonial period, particularly under Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule. Each colonial power left its mark on the town, from architectural influences to cultural practices. The British, in particular, developed the coastal railway line in the 19th century, making Hikkaduwa more accessible and boosting its prominence as a trade hub.

The influence of Buddhism is deeply embedded in Hikkaduwa's culture. The Seenigama Muhudu Viharaya, a historic temple located on a small island just off the coast, is a testament to the town's spiritual legacy. This temple has been a place of worship and pilgrimage for centuries, attracting devotees from across the island.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Hikkaduwa began to gain international recognition as a prime tourist destination. The pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and laid-back atmosphere attracted backpackers and adventure seekers. This period marked the beginning of Hikkaduwa's transformation into a bustling tourist hotspot, with numerous hotels, restaurants, and dive shops springing up along the coast.

Hikkaduwa was one of the towns severely affected by the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami on December 26, 2004. The natural disaster caused significant loss of life and property, leading to a massive humanitarian response. In the aftermath, the community displayed remarkable resilience, rebuilding and restoring the town while also improving disaster preparedness.

In recent years, Hikkaduwa has become a focal point for marine conservation. Efforts to protect and rehabilitate the coral reefs, such as the Hikkaduwa National Park, have been implemented to preserve the area's rich marine biodiversity. These initiatives aim to balance tourism with environmental sustainability, ensuring that the natural beauty of Hikkaduwa is preserved for future generations.

Hikkaduwa is located on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, approximately 100 kilometers from the capital city, Colombo. The nearest international airport is Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo. From the airport, you can take a taxi or a pre-arranged shuttle to Hikkaduwa. The journey typically takes around 2 to 3 hours by road. Alternatively, you can take a train from Colombo Fort Railway Station to Hikkaduwa, which offers a scenic coastal route.

Hikkaduwa is a small town, and many attractions are within walking distance. For longer trips, tuk-tuks are a popular and inexpensive mode of transportation. Local buses also operate within the town and connect to nearby areas. Renting a scooter or a bicycle can be a convenient option for exploring at your own pace. Taxis and ride-hailing services like PickMe are also available.

The official currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). Credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and larger shops, but it is advisable to carry cash for smaller establishments and local markets. ATMs are widely available in Hikkaduwa, and currency exchange services can be found at banks and authorized exchange counters.

Hikkaduwa is generally a safe destination for tourists. However, it is advisable to take standard precautions. Avoid walking alone at night in poorly lit areas and keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places. While there are no specific high-crime areas targeting tourists, it is always best to stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings.

In case of emergency, dial 119 for police assistance or 110 for medical emergencies. The nearest hospital is the Hikkaduwa Base Hospital, which provides basic medical services. It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. For minor health issues, there are several pharmacies in town where you can purchase over-the-counter medications.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Avoid wearing revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. Always remove your shoes and cover your head when entering temples. Public Transport: Do be respectful and avoid loud conversations on public transport. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a friendly 'Ayubowan' (hello) and a slight bow of the head. Eating & Drinking: Do try local delicacies and accept food offerings graciously. Don't refuse hospitality, as it is considered impolite.

To experience Hikkaduwa like a local, visit the Hikkaduwa Fish Market early in the morning to see the day's fresh catch. Engage with locals, as they are often friendly and willing to share stories about the town's history and culture. Don't miss the opportunity to explore the coral reefs and enjoy snorkeling or diving. For a unique experience, take a boat ride on the Hikkaduwa Lagoon, offering stunning views and a chance to see diverse wildlife.