Hikkaduwa is a small town on the south coast about 17 km north-west of Galle and 98 km south of Colombo.

The name Hikkaduwa is thought to have been derived from the two words Sip Kaduwa, with Sip (සිප්) being the shorter version of Shilpaya which refers to knowledge in Sinhalese and Kaduwa(කඩුව) which means sword. It is believed therefore that the name Hikkaduwa means sword of knowledge.

Hikkaduwa is located on the Coastal or Southern Rail Line (connecting Colombo through to Matara). It is also located on the A2 highway, connecting Colombo to Wellawaya, which runs mostly parallel to the shore, through the town.

Attractions in Hikkaduwa

• Hikkaduwa beach – reputed as the second best surfing spot in Sri Lanka.
• Hikkaduwa Coral Sanctuary – located a few hundred metres offshore. The sanctuary has approximately seventy varieties of multi-coloured corals.[citation needed]