Dondra Lighthouse, located at Dondra Head near Matara, marks the southernmost point of Sri Lanka and is one of the tallest and most beautiful lighthouses in South Asia. Built by the British in 1890, it was designed by Sir James Douglass and constructed using granite stones imported from Scotland.
Standing 49 meters (161 feet) tall, the lighthouse offers breathtaking 360° views of the Indian Ocean and the surrounding coastline. On clear days, visitors can see as far as 25 kilometers out to sea.
The lighthouse remains an active navigational aid, managed by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, guiding ships safely around the island’s southern waters. Although access to the top is sometimes restricted, the surrounding area — with lush greenery, rocky shores, and ocean breeze — is ideal for photography and quiet exploration.
With its colonial engineering, coastal beauty, and symbolic location, Dondra Lighthouse stands as a proud landmark at the edge of Sri Lanka, where land meets the endless blue of the Indian Ocean.
