Once the capital of Ruhunu, a kingdom of yesteryear, this town in the south eastern regions of Sri Lanka, it is famous for Tissa Wewa, Tissamaharama Stupa and an entry point into Katharagama and Yala National Park. The Tissa Wewa Lake was built in the ancient rule of King Dewanampiyatissa and is an artificial lake purposed as irrigation system where the lake and town was named after him. Now, many pilgrims and tourists stop at this lake to relax whilst passing through to their next journeys.  The Tissamaharama Temple was built by King Kavantissa in the 2nd century, and has since been restored greatly. Considered one of the sixteen sacred sites, or rather Solosmasthana, of the island, many pilgrims pay respects to this beauteous and religious monument.