{{Short description|Lateritic headland in Mirissa, Sri Lanka}} {{Infobox landform | name = Coconut Tree Hill | type = Headland | image = Coconut Tree Hill, Sri Lanka.jpg | caption = Coconut Tree Hill is a lateritic headland in Southern Sri Lanka | pushpin_map = Sri Lanka | pushpin_relief = 1 | map_caption = Location in Sri Lanka | pushpin_label_position = none | location = Mirissa, Sri Lanka | coordinates = {{coord|5|56|21.4|N|80|28|05.1|E|display=inline,title}} }} '''Coconut Tree Hill''' is a lateritic headland in Mirissa, Sri Lanka located adjacent to the Indian Ocean. It is a popular tourist destination in the country and is located at a headland with a coconut plantation. Coconut Tree Hill, despite being located on privately owned lands, is one of the most Instagrammed locations in Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wijesinghe |first1=Dimithri |title=10 tourist hotspots you didn’t know were privately owned |url=https://www.themorning.lk/10-tourist-hotspots-you-didnt-know-were-privately-owned/ |access-date=21 May 2022 |work=The Morning |date=17 January 2021}}</ref> In 1881, Ernst Haeckel portrayed Mirissa "red cliffs" in the sunset in his book, ''A visit to Ceylon'' and described "they seem to burn like coal...".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Weerasuriya |first1=Sanath |title='Red Cliffs' Heaven on hill |url=https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20121018/page/52 |access-date=21 May 2022 |work=Daily Mirror |publisher=Wijeya Newspapers |date=18 October 2012 |via=PressReader}}</ref> The hill has been recommended as a place to observe the sunrise for the tourists.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Monteiro DSouza |first1=Primrose |title=She Rented A Tuktuk To Self Drive In Sri Lanka. You Can Do It Too |url=https://www.femina.in/travel/international/she-rented-a-tuktuk-to-self-drive-in-sri-lanka-you-can-do-it-too-225125.html |access-date=21 May 2022 |work=Femina |publisher=Worldwide Media |date=24 April 2022}}</ref> The hill is located on the Mirissa beach which is contiguous to Weligama across the Weligama bay.<ref>{{cite news |title=ඉකිරි ගැවසෙන තල්පේ ස්වභාවික නාන තඩාග |url=https://www.lankadeepa.lk/sunday/rasawitha/%E0%B6%89%E0%B6%9A%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%92-%E0%B6%9C%E0%B7%90%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%83%E0%B7%99%E0%B6%B1--%E0%B6%AD%E0%B6%BD%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%B4%E0%B7%9A--%E0%B7%83%E0%B7%8A%E0%B7%80%E0%B6%B7%E0%B7%8F%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%9A--%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%B1-%E0%B6%AD%E0%B6%A9%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%9C/57-547974 |access-date=21 May 2022 |work=Lankadeepa |publisher=Wijeya Newspapers |date=31 March 2019 |lang = si}}</ref> Mirissa beach has been described as one of the "secret beaches" in the world.<ref>{{cite news |title=Secret beaches around the world: readers’ tips |url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/aug/31/worlds-best-secret-beaches-readers-travel-tips |access-date=21 May 2022 |work=The Guardian |publisher=Guardian Media Group |date=31 August 2017}}</ref>
==2021 controversy== In 2021, a controversy arose after constructing a fence across the hill over the private land the hill is situated. Since the fence has been erected without prior approval from the Urban Development Authority and the Coast Conservation Department, the proprietor of the land was ordered to demolish the fence.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kumarasinghe |first1=Kalani |title=Fence across iconic Mirissa Coconut Tree Hill ordered to be removed |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/print/front_page/Fence-across-iconic-Mirissa-Coconut-Tree-Hill-ordered-to-be-removed/238-203279 |access-date=21 May 2022 |work=dailymirror.lk |publisher=Wijeya Newspapers |date=7 Jan 2021}}</ref> After a social media outrage, then prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was made aware of the situation.<ref>{{cite news |title=PM to intervene in Mirissa coconut tree hill issue after massive social media outrage |url=https://www.newswire.lk/2021/01/05/pm-to-intervene-in-mirissa-coconut-tree-hill-issue-after-massive-social-media-outrage/ |access-date=21 May 2022 |work=newswire.lk |publisher=Wire Digital Pvt Ltd |date=5 January 2021}}</ref> The land area of the hill is about 400 perches of which 320 perches are owned by a Sri Lankan and the balance is owned by a foreigner. It is the Sri Lankan landowner who constructed the fence. Later, the hill was reopened for both local and foreign tourists.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mirissa Coconut Hill beach area re-opened to local and foreign tourists |url=https://www.hirunews.lk/english/259002/mirissa-coconut-hill-beach-area-re-opened-to-local-and-foreign-tourists |access-date=21 May 2022 |work=Hiru FM |publisher=ABC Radio Networks |date=6 January 2021}}</ref>
==See also== * List of beaches in Sri Lanka
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:Beaches of Sri Lanka Category:Landforms of Matara District Category:Headlands of Sri Lanka