Hot springs in South draw visitors

By P. Samarasinghe

The hot springs at Madunagala in the Hambantota district like their counterpart in the Trincomalee district, are today a tourist attraction.

Located in the Suriyawewa region they are being visited both by foreigners and locals. They are unique in that, even during long rainy spells, the springs bubble at a rate of 68 cubic metres per second and there are five such hot springs here. It is believed that the water here has curing effects. The tourist ministry of the Southern Provincial Council is determined to improve the place to attract local and foreign visitors.

Picture shows some holiday makers enjoying a bath. Meanwhile, unabated sand mining in the Walawe region is now posing an environmental hazard. It poses a threat to kumbuk trees growing on the river banks and make rocks in the river beds appear above water level.

The entire region running up to Ambalantota is gradually getting affected.