Tissa Wewa, Kirinda Overview

Tissa Wewa is an artificial lake in Tissamaharama, around 20 minutes away from the coastal town of Kirinda. Picturesque views, birdlife sightings and pleasant walks are the staples of a visit to this stunning lake. Not to forget the customary boat ride, an immensely smooth experience.

Tissa Wewa spans a surface area of around 652 acres. The origins of the lake are a tad blurry; the legend goes that the lake was made in the 3rd century BC as a part of the irrigation facilities of Tissamaharama, which was then a prosperous area.

The lake is flanked by a dedicated walkway at the southern end, along the Tissa-Kataragama road. Tissa Wewa is a hidden gem for birdwatching. There are a plethora of species at the lake—bitterns and egrets, to name a few. One might also catch glimpses of numerous fruit bats hanging about the trees on the banks. A boat ride across Tissa Wewa is undoubtedly a must to truly relish the beauty of this lake. The views during the sunset are perhaps the best part of a visit to Tissa Wewa.

Things To Do At Tissa Wewa

Boat Safari

Hop on for an exciting boat safari that lets you observe the stunning scenery and the birdlife up close. Life jackets are also provided to passengers on the boat. The rides usually last for an hour and are best enjoyed during the dusk, mainly to watch the orange-streaked skies. The boat rides often cost a minimum of LKR 1500.

Photography

It goes without saying that with such an incredible lake, you are guaranteed to get picture-perfect photos. Whether you choose to meander about or take the boat safari, there are plenty of opportunities for photography at Tissa Wewa. Apart from the birds, you can photograph water buffalos and if you’re lucky, crocodiles too.

Birdwatching

Tissa Wewa is known to harbour abundant birdlife. Some of the species here include bitterns, egrets, pelicans, cormorants, kingfishers and ibises. One can spot egrets on the buffalos, or perched on the trees to roost. An island in the middle of the lake is home to several colonies of cormorants and ibises.

Street Food

If you are hungry and want to grab a bite during your walk, fear not! Stalls are selling local food, mainly snacks, on the promenade.

History of Tissa Wewa

Tissa Wewa is believed to have been built in the 3rd century BC by a Sinhalese ruler of the Kingdom of Ruhuna. The lake was useful for irrigation of paddy fields of Tissamaharama, which was the capital of the kingdom.

Tissa Wewa Timings and Entry Fee

Tissa Wewa is open all through the day. There is no entry fee for the lake.

Best Time To Visit Tissa Wewa

The best time to visit Tissa Wewa is undoubtedly the evenings, for captivating views of the sunset and the fauna

Tips for Visiting Tissa Wewa

Swimming is not recommended at Tissa Wewa as crocodiles have been sighted quite frequently here. If you want to take a dip, do so at the spots where the locals are.