Bentota - Sri Lanka

As the halfway point on the journey south to Galle from the capital the village grew during the Portuguese and Dutch era, today, remains of the Dutch fortress can still be found close to the Bentota Beach Hotel where many battles were fought between the Dutch and Portuguese before the Dutch finally gained control in 1658.

After the British wrestled the island from the Dutch in 1798 passengers would alight from their coaches and cross the Bentota River via a bridge of boats. The British introduced the railway in the early 19th century mainly to transport the coconut produce from the deep south to the capital, building a permanent bridge to cross the river.

Additional Bentota information

• Bentota
• Modern Day Bentota
• The Bentota Ganga
• The Beaches
• Eating Out in Bentota
• Shopping - Bentota Bazaar
• Shopping - Monday Market
• Banks & Financial
• South of Bentota
• Aluthgama
• Excursions Available
• Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
• Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery
• Visiting Bentota
• The Appeal of Bentota
• Bentota Has so much to Offer