Bentota, a tropical paradise on Sri Lanka's southwest coast, invites you to unwind in its pristine beauty. Discover golden beaches, enjoy water sports on the Bentota River, and visit the vibrant Bentota Bazaar. Luxurious resorts, rich cultural experiences, and scenic landscapes make it an ideal coastal retreat.
Nestled in the scenic coastal town of Bentota, the Gamini School Grounds Helipad (VCCN) stands out as a unique facility located within the grounds of G/Gamini Central College. This helipad serves as a critical point for air transport in the Southern Province, especially for government officials, emergency evacuations, and VIP arrivals. Its strategic location not only enhances connectivity to Bentota and surrounding areas but also highlights the importance of integrating infrastructure with educational and community spaces.
Beyond Bentota, the Southern Province offers a gateway to one of Sri Lanka’s most enchanting destinations—Galle. Renowned for its historic charm and natural beauty, Galle is home to golden beaches, lush coconut palms, and the iconic Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city blends colonial architecture with tropical landscapes, making it a favorite among travelers seeking both culture and relaxation.
Galle’s coastal scenery is framed by pristine shores such as Unawatuna Beach, known for its calm turquoise waters and coral reefs. Inland, visitors are greeted by verdant paddy fields, spice gardens, and serene river views. The region is also rich in biodiversity, with sanctuaries like Kottawa Forest Reserve offering a glimpse into Sri Lanka’s vibrant flora and fauna.
Together, the Gamini School Grounds Helipad (VCCN) and the natural wonders of Galle showcase the Southern Province’s balance of progress and preservation. Whether arriving by air or exploring by land, visitors are treated to a seamless blend of utility, heritage, and breathtaking natural beauty.
Galle is a city situated on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, 119 km from Colombo. Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in south and Southeast Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and south Asian traditions. The Galle fort is a world heritage site and the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers.
Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in south and Southeast Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and south Asian traditions. The Galle fort is a world heritage site and the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers.
Galle is a sizeable town, by Sri Lankan standards, and has a population of 91,000, the majority of whom are of Sinhalese ethnicity. There is also a large Sri Lankan Moor minority, particularly in the fort area, which descend from Arab merchants that settled in the ancient port of Galle.
About Southern Province
The Southern Province of Sri Lanka is a small geographic area consisting of the districts of Galle, Matara and Hambantota. Subsistence farming and fishing is the main source of income for the vast majority of the people of this region.
Important landmarks of the Southern Province include the wildlife sanctuaries of the Yala and Udawalawe National Parks, the holy city of Kataragama, and the ancient cities of Tissamaharama, Kirinda and Galle. (Although Galle is an ancient city, almost nothing survives from before the Portuguese invasion.) During the Portuguese period there were two famous Sinhalese poets called Andare who was from Dickwella and Gajaman Nona who was from Denipitiya in Matara District, composing poems on common man.
