Located in the Southern province of Sri Lanka, Hambantota is a city rich in history that dates back as far as 200 BC, when the Kingdom of Ruhuna was founded. At its pinnacle, the city received travelers and traders from all parts of the world including Siam, China and Indonesia, who sought the services of the natural harbor (which coincidentally gave Hambantota its name). Archeological findings in the region have proved that Hambantota and neighboring areas were renowned for having a flourishing civilization and being blessed with fertile fields and a great irrigation network.

Hambantota is the location for the first Shangri-La hotel in Sri Lanka, a renowned resort chain that has hotels all across the world, which remains the only hotel in this area.