Rumassala

Rumassala is a hill and rocky promontory on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, located near Unawatuna in the Galle District of the Southern Province. The headland projects into the Indian Ocean and forms part of the coastal landscape that includes Jungle Beach. The area is accessible to visitors and offers scenic views of the sea, nearby reefs, and coastal vegetation. On the hillside is a small forested patch that supports a variety of birds and plant species, representing a fragment of the region's lowland scrub and coastal flora.

Cultural significance: Rumassala is connected to a popular legend in the Ramayana narrative. Local tradition holds that the monkey god Hanuman dropped the Sanjeevani herb at this site to heal Lakshmana during the epic’s events in Sri Lanka, leading to the hill's association with monkeys; it is sometimes referred to in Sinhala as a place of Monkey Mountain.

Tourism and access: Rumassala is commonly visited by travelers exploring Unawatuna and its beaches; visitors often pass the hill on coastal walks, and access to viewpoints is informal rather than formalized.

Conservation and status: As a coastal hill with natural habitat, Rumassala faces pressures from development and tourism. Local authorities and conservation groups monitor land use and habitat protection to balance access with ecological preservation.