History Of Tissamaharama

History of Tissamaharama  

Tissamaharama is one of the most pleasant towns in the southern coast.The beautiful man made tank(reservoir) in Tissa.Tissa wewa with its remarkable bird life provides the scenic backdrop to the town.Tissa wass the sanctuary in the deep south,where sinhalese patriots fled to rally support against marauding Dravidian invaders from southern india.Known by the name of Mahagama(great town),it was one of the principle settlements of the southern province of Ruhuna.Mahagama was founded in the third century BC by a brother of the King Devanam Piya Tissa of Anuradhapura,later rose to prominence under king Kavantissa,father of the  hero of the nation ,King Dutugamunu of Ruhuna.

Modern Tissa is a bustling city with the main street lined with banks,shops & little cafes and klosks.Refreshing breeze from the large reservoir sweeps the town.The town in turn is bounded by a beautiful expanse of paddy fields.In the midst of paddy fields stands most  impressive of Tissa's dagobas(stupas). The combination of cluster of  dagobas &two beautiful tanks lend Tissa a certain distinction & a sense of history making it in sharp contrast with the other town of southern coast.