Hikkaduwa
Located on Sri Lanka's southern coast, Hikkaduwa has been a popular tourist destination since the 1970s and was once the most internationally renowned beach in the country. One of the primary attractions was its large coral reef, home to a variety of colourful marine life, which made it a popular spot for diving. However, uncontrolled human activity has significantly reduced the size of the reef, and it was further damaged by the El Nino weather phenomenon in 1998. In 1961, a section of territorial waters off Hikkaduwa was given protection under the Fisheries Ordinance, and in 1979, the Hikkaduwa Marine Sanctuary was established under the Fauna & Flora Protection Ordinance. It was later upgraded to a nature reserve and then to a national park, making it one of only two marine national parks in Sri Lanka. Today, Hikkaduwa is a relatively well-developed tourist destination, with a range of hotels and food outlets catering to visitors.
