Mahapalessa Hot Springs, situated between Hambantota and Embilipitiya, are the southernmost hot wells of Sri Lanka. They are also known as Madunagala Hot Springs, due to their location in the Madunagala sanctuary. The central bassin in Mahapalessa is too hot for bathing, this is why it is surrounded by a series of side bassins, cooling down the temperature.
As Sri Lanka is situated amidst a continental plate, namely that of India and Australia, it is not an active geological zone. This means, there are no active vulcanos and only low risks of earthquakes. But it also means, that geothermic activities are a rare phenomenon on the island. Nevertheless, some hot wells exist. Usually, they are sacred sites and attract locals more than foreigners. The locations of Sri Lanka's hot wells form a crescent-shaped chain around the eastern highlands, from Kanniyai in the northeast to Mahapalessa in the south.
As Sri Lanka is situated amidst a continental plate, namely that of India and Australia, it is not an active geological zone. This means, there are no active vulcanos and only low risks of earthquakes. But it also means, that geothermic activities are a rare phenomenon on the island. Nevertheless, some hot wells exist. Usually, they are sacred sites and attract locals more than foreigners. The locations of Sri Lanka's hot wells form a crescent-shaped chain around the eastern highlands, from Kanniyai in the northeast to Mahapalessa in the south.