Dondra, known locally as Devinuwara, marks the southernmost point of Sri Lanka, situated at the island’s tip approximately 6km southeast of the regional centre, Matara. The area is most famous for the historic Dondra Head Lighthouse, built by the British in 1889 using Portland stone shipped all the way from England, and which stands as the tallest lighthouse in Sri Lanka at 49 meters.

The region holds cultural significance through the ancient Devinuwara Temple, a sacred Hindu-Buddhist site dedicated to God Vishnu that once featured a magnificent thousand-pillared temple before Portuguese destruction in the 16th century.

Dondra’s beaches offer golden sands and clear turquoise waters (with some exceptional dive sites) that are less crowded than more commercial destinations nearby. The area maintains a laid-back fishing village atmosphere despite growing tourism interest, offering a tranquil setting where visitors can experience authentic Sri Lankan coastal life away from mass tourism.