The climate is salubrious with high winds and sunshine most of the year.
It is surrounded by game reserves such as Udawalawe and Bundala where migrant birds flock at certain times each year.
In the past it was chiefly an administrative town where Leonard Woolf, the British Govt agent served time from1908 to 19011. It retains remmnant colonial buildings such as the Government Agent's bungalow and cemetery built by the Dutch. The Martello tower and light house, built by the British, are also in the same area During British rule Hambantota had a small port where steam ships docked and would travel from Hambantota to the Eastern coast onto Batticaloa and Trincomalee.
Its main commercial products are salt and fish. It is also surrounded by vast tracts of paddy in the outer towns of Ambalantota and Tissa and was referred to as the granary of the east. Post Tsunami saw a fisheries harbour added to the Hambantota bay.
Hambantota district is a fast developing area which now has an International Harbour and an International airport under construction. Infrastructure for the harbour includes and extension of the southern train line and new arterial roads leading to the next main town, Kataragama.
It lends itself to keen beach lovers and wild life enthusiasts. The friendly people easy life make it a good holiday destination.
