Matara, Sri Lanka

Matara
මාතර
மாத்தறை
City
City of Matara

Matara Foreshore
Matara
Coordinates: 5°57′N 80°32′E / 5.950°N 80.533°ECoordinates: 5°57′N 80°32′E / 5.950°N 80.533°E
Country Sri Lanka
Province Southern
Government
 • Type Municipal Council
 • Mayor Sosindra Handunge
Area
 • Urban 13 km2 (5 sq mi)
Elevation 2 m (7 ft)
Population (2014)
 • City 831,000 (in whole district)
 • Density 5,841/km2 (15,130/sq mi)
Demonym Matarians
Time zone Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone (UTC+5:30)
Postal code 81xxx
Area code(s) 041

Matara (Sinhalese: මාතර, Tamil: மாத்தறை) (originally Mahathota) is a major city in Sri Lanka, located on the southern coast of Southern Province, 160 km from Colombo. It is one of the major commercial hubs in the country, and it is the administrative capital of Matara District.[1] 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 තුන් සිංහලය). 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
Devinuwara Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya
Matara City from pigeon island


Matara City centre
Matara Fort
Star fort from sky


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

Education

Universities

Schools

Economy and Infrastructure

Transport

The Matara railway station, is the terminus of Sri Lanka Railways' Coastal Line, though an extension to Kataragama is planned.

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.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Trip destination Matara Sri Lanka
  2. ↑ "The Matara Church". Wolvendaal Foundation. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  3. ↑ Punchihewa, Gamini G. (24 March 2002). "The historic tale of Matara". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 15 August 2014.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Matara, Sri Lanka.