Hambantota (Singal. හම්බන්තොට, Tamil. அம்பாந்தோட்டை) is a city in Sri Lanka.

Geography
The city of Hambantota is located on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, on the shores of the Indian Ocean. It is the administrative center of the Hambantota District in Southern Province. The population of the city is 11.213 people (in 2001).
Hambantota is known for its salt mines and a very dry climate.

History
Back in the Middle Ages, during the existence of the kingdom of Ruhuna here, Hambantota was one of the main ports of this state. Vessels and large boats came here with goods from China and other countries of the Far East, from Siam and Indonesia. In the vicinity of the city, the population was engaged in agriculture, while the creation and maintenance of the irrigation system required great skill.
In August-September 1803, the city was captured by British troops during the so-called. Kandyan war.
In December 2004, the city was severely damaged by a tsunami.
In October 2011, the city hosted the 1st South Asian Beach Games.

Economy
The basis of the city’s economy is the port economy and ship servicing. In August 2010, the construction of a new port was completed here, which cost $ 6 billion (China assumed the costs). The port of Hambantota is visited by 36,000 ships annually, due to the fact that it is located only 6-10 kilometers south of the main shipping route in the Indian Ocean (east-west). The port is a free economic zone and also has a ship repair base; many companies from Russia, China, India and Dubai participated in its construction. In 2017, the transfer of this port in the form of a joint venture to the operation of China Merchants Port Holdings was announced.

There are also a number of industrial enterprises in Hambantota (for example, a cement factory). The only wind farm in Sri Lanka is also located here.
Near the city is the international airport Hambantota International Airport. Hambantota is connected to the interior regions of the country by railway lines.