Matara, Sri Lanka

1
Matara, Sri Lanka
Matara

City
Matara Foreshore
Coordinates: 557N 8032E
[1]
Coordinates: 557N 8032E
[1]
Country Sri Lanka
Province Southern
Government
Type Municipal Council
Mayor Sosindra Handunge
Area
Urban
13km
2
(5sqmi)
Elevation 2m (7ft)
Population (2014)
City 831,000
Density
5,841/km
2
(15,130/sqmi)
Demonym Matarians
Time zone Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone (UTC+5:30)
Postal code 81xxx
Area code(s) 041
Matara, Sri Lanka
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Matara (Sinhala: , Tamil: ) (originally Mahathota) is a major city in Sri Lanka; it located in the
southern coast of Southern Province, Sri Lanka, 160km from Colombo. It is one of the major commercial hubs in
the country, and it is the administrative capital of Matara District.
[2]
It was gravely affected by the Asian tsunami in
December 2004.
History
Matara historically belongs to the area that was called the Kingdom of Ruhuna, which was one of the three kingdoms
in Sri Lanka (Thun Sinhalaya ). Matara was previously called Mahathota. The Nilwala River runs
through Matara and there was a wide area at this location where ferries used to cross. Hence the town was called
Maha Thota which was derived from the sanskrit word Maha Theertha, which means "the great ferry". According to
Thotagamuwe Sri Rahula Thera's Paravi Sndesaya King Weerabamapanam made Matara as his capital and named it
"Mapatuna". The temple in the middle of the town is also built by ancient kings, and now it is a very popular sacred
place among the Buddhists in the area.
In the 16th and 18th centuries, Matara was ruled by the Portuguese and the Dutch respectively.
In 1672 the Portuguese called the town "Maturai", which means a great fortress. This also may have been a
mispronunciation of Thurai, which is the Tamil word for "Ferry". The present name of "Matara" however has been in
used for the last three centuries, relating to the town's connection with the Nilwala River.
In 1756 the Dutch captured the Maritime Province and divided it into four Administrative areas. They were
Sabaragamuwa, Sath Korle, Sathara Korele and Matara. Out of these, Matara District covered the largest area
(essentially the whole of the Southern Province up to the Kaluganga River). In the deed given by King Dharmapala
to the Dutch, it mentioned that the area of Matara District extended from Kotte to Walawe Ganga River.
In 1760 the fort was successfully attacked by forces from the Kandyan kingdom. Matara maintained in the hands of
the Sinhalese for almost one year. In 1762, the Dutch recaptured Matara Fort, without any significant resistance.
Matara was the second most important fort, behind Galle fort, for the southern maritime provinces of the Dutch and
also a commanding base for some inland forts.
In 1796 the fort was ceremoniously handed over to the British. The Dutch and English culture and architecture can
still be seen throughout the area. The light house in Point Dondra was built by the Dutch, and it is considered as one
of the most beautiful and oldest light houses in Sri Lanka. The two fortresses, the Matara fort and the Star fort, that
were built by the Dutch still exist and can be found inside the city. Other important Colonial works are the St Mary's
Church and the market place at Nupe Junction.
Weherahena temple
The most famous thinkers who lived in the area are Kumaratunga
Munidasa and Gajaman Nona. The ethnic majority of Matara are
Sinhalese; during the 16th and 17th centuries Moors arrived in the area
as traders from Arabia, and today their descendants coexist with
Sinhalese peacefully as an ethnic minority.
Attractions
Parey Dewa (Rock in Water) or Parevi Dupatha Temple - is a
relatively modern Buddhist temple located on Pigeon Island (a
small offshore island) in front of the City. It reached by an elegant
suspension footbridge, which was erected in 2008 (replacing an earlier bridge, which was
Matara, Sri Lanka
3
Devinuwara Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya
washed away in the 2004 Tsunami). The temple is set in
attractive gardens and houses numerous statues of Buddha
and a replica of the gold footprint found on Adam's Peak.
Weragampita Rajamaha Viharaya Temple
Matara Bodhiya
Matara fort/ramparts - The Matara fort was built in 1560 by
the Portuguese and was substantially re-built by the Dutch
in 1640, following the capture of Galle. The fort, which
consists of a large stone rampart, occupies the promontory,
which separates the Niwala River lagoon and the ocean.
Dutch Reformed Church, Matara - constructed within Matara fort by the Dutch in 1706. It was extensively
remodelled in 1767, following the recapture of the fort in 1762.
Star Fort - located on the western or landward side of the Nawali River. The fort was constructed by the Dutch
following the Matara rebellion in 1761, in order to protect the main fort from attacks originating from the river.
Construction of the unique star shaped fort was completed in 1765.
Nupe Dutch Market - was constructed in 1784 by the Dutch, about 3.2 kilometres (2.0mi) from Matara fort.
St Mary's Church - located on Beach Road, the date on the doorway (1769) refers to the reconstruction following
the 1762 Matara Rebellion.
Muhiyiddenil Jeelani mosque
Mahanama Bridge, a six-lane bridge constructed across the Nilwala Ganga, with Korean assistance and unveiled
in December 2007 on the third anniversary of the tsunami.
Education
Universities
University of Ruhuna
Open University of Sri Lanka (Matara Premises)
Schools
St.Thomas' College, established in 1844.
St. Servatius College, established in 1897.
St. Mary's Convent Matara established in 1908. Private school.
Sujatha Vidyalaya, established in 1929.
Rahula College, established in 1923.
Matara Central College, Matara, Sri Lanka, established in 1932.
St. Thomas' Girls' High School
President Collage- Matara
Ilma College
Narandeniya National College-Kamburupitiya
Mahinda Rajapakshe College, Matara, Sri Lanka, established in 2013.
Vijitha Central Collage, Matara, Sri Lanka.
Matara, Sri Lanka
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Economy and Infrastructure
Transport
Rail
The Matara railway station, is the terminus of Sri Lanka Railways' Coastal Line, though an extension to Kataragama
is planned.
Road
Matara is a major transport hub in the country. It is served by the A2 highway, which runs through the city. It is also
planned to be the southern terminus of stage 2 of the E01 expressway by April 2014.
References
[1] http:/ / tools.wmflabs. org/ geohack/ geohack. php?pagename=Matara%2C_Sri_Lanka&
params=5_57_N_80_32_E_type:city(831000)_region:LK
[2] Trip destination Matara Sri Lanka (http:/ / www. tripwiser. com/
trip_destination-Matara_Sri_Lanka?itiNodeId=8a8c80fe18ab78760118ad7b7f6c4de8& eType=site)
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Matara, Sri Lanka.
Matara in Sri Lankan Village Directory (http:/ / srilankavillages. com/ village. php?Matara& id=33)
History of Matara City (http:/ / www. mataracity. com/ htm/ history. htm)
District Secretariat - Matara (http:/ / www. ds. gov. lk/ dist_matara/ english/ )
MSN Map (http:/ / maps. msn. com/ (ibezf0yrvplsnd55dypaaz45)/ map. aspx?lats1=5. 95& lons1=80. 55&
alts1=14& regn1=2)
Matara in Viki.lk (http:/ / viki. lk/ matara)
Article Sources and Contributors
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Article Sources and Contributors
Matara, Sri Lanka Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=623860859 Contributors: (jarbarf), 05theben, Abhinav, Abhishekitmbm, AdjustShift, Ahoerstemeier, Allens, Andrew
Eugene, Anu2000, Anuradhab, Arfst Ealdwrtere, Ashwinosoft, Bandara81, Blackknight12, BlueLankan, BlueSquadronRaven, Brammen, Brianlucas, Buddhikadissanayake, Budhajeewa,
Caknuck, Chamal N, Chanakal, CommonsDelinker, Cossde, Dan arndt, Deor, ESkog, Eeriyaka, Fabrictramp, Fahimrazick, Foundinblank, Grutness, Guy1890, Harsh15, Honeplus, Jessicapierce,
Kasunyash, Krankman, Lochana94, Malacathesti, Melanster, Mihitha, MuffledThud, Namkumara, Netmonger, Obi2canibe, PalmCraft, Paluyaka, Phill24th, Princess Eemrald, Pubuman, R00m c,
RHaworth, RaviC, Reenem, Rich Farmbrough, RitigalaJayasena, Rodhullandemu, Roshanweerasekara, Salikahamed, Sardanaphalus, Scriberius, Seanlavelle, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, Shehanw,
Skinsmoke, Smjc, Snowfisher123, Snowolfd4, Spoorenb, Tabletop, TheParanoidOne, Tomgally, Trengarasu, Triedros, Tropicalsundae, Ukussa, Vimu, Wvithanage, Youth.piumi, Youth.udaya,
Youth.yasitha, , , , 265 anonymous edits
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors
File:Matara Beach, Sri Lanka.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Matara_Beach,_Sri_Lanka.JPG License: Public Domain Contributors: Milei.vencel, Hungary
File:Sri Lanka location map.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Sri_Lanka_location_map.svg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors:
Uwe Dedering
File:Weherahena.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Weherahena.jpg License: unknown Contributors: me
File:Devinuwara Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya in Sri Lanka.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Devinuwara_Sri_Vishnu_Maha_Devalaya_in_Sri_Lanka.jpg License:
Public Domain Contributors: Anuradha Dullewe Wijeyeratne
Image:Commons-logo.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Commons-logo.svg License: logo Contributors: Anomie
License
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