Tissamaharama is a town in Hambantota District, Southern Province, Sri Lanka. It used to be the capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom of Ruhuna as early as the 3rd century B.C. Only few buildings from that period can still be seen today. The presence ordinary early Tamils in Tissamaharama was confirmed following archaeological excavations in 2010. The Tissamaharama Tamil Brahmi inscription, a fragment of black and red ware flat dish inscribed in Tamil in the Tamil Brahmi script was excavated at the earliest layer in the southern town.

Tissa Lake

Rajamaha Viharaya

Kirinda Vihara Maha Devi Temple

Wildlife Safari

The large artificial Tissa Wewa lake, which was a part of a sophisticated irrigation system, also dates from that time. There are five main lakes in the vicinity of Tissamaharama: Tissa Wewa; Yoda Wewa; Weerawila Wewa; Pannegamuwa Wewa; and Debarawewa Wewa.

Kirinda Viharamahadevi Temple is a shrine dedicated to  Princess Viharamahadevi, who was the daughter of King Kelanitissa. Legend tells the story of how the princess was sailed away as a sacrifice to save the country from a raging storm. She, however, survived the ordeal.

Today, the town mainly serves as a starting point for visits to Yala National Park and Kataragama.