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Matara, Sri Lanka 1

Matara, Sri Lanka

Matara

City

Matara Foreshore

Coordinates: 557 N 8032 E [1]Coordinates: 557 N 8032 E [1]

Country Sri Lanka

Province Southern

Government

Type Municipal Council

Mayor Sosindra Handunge

Area

Urban 13 km 2 (5 sq mi)

Elevation 2 m (7 ft)

Population (2014)

City 831,000

Density 5,841/km 2 (15,130/sq mi)

Demonym Matarians

Time zone Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone (UTC+5:30)

Postal code 81xxx

Area code(s) 041

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Matara, Sri Lanka 2

Matara (Sinhala: , Tamil: ) (originally Mahathota) is a major city in Sri Lanka; it located in thesouthern coast of Southern Province, Sri Lanka, 160 km from Colombo. It is one of the major commercial hubs inthe country, and it is the administrative capital of Matara District. [2] It was gravely affected by the Asian tsunami inDecember 2004.

HistoryMatara historically belongs to the area that was called the Kingdom of Ruhuna, which was one of the three kingdomsin Sri Lanka (Thun Sinhalaya ). Matara was previously called Mahathota. The Nilwala River runsthrough Matara and there was a wide area at this location where ferries used to cross. Hence the town was calledMaha Thota which was derived from the sanskrit word Maha Theertha, which means "the great ferry". According toThotagamuwe 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 sacredplace 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 amispronunciation of Thurai, which is the Tamil word for "Ferry". The present name of "Matara" however has been inused 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 wereSabaragamuwa, 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 Dharmapalato 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 canstill be seen throughout the area. The light house in Point Dondra was built by the Dutch, and it is considered as oneof the most beautiful and oldest light houses in Sri Lanka. The two fortresses, the Matara fort and the Star fort, thatwere built by the Dutch still exist and can be found inside the city. Other important Colonial works are the St Mary'sChurch and the market place at Nupe Junction.

Weherahena temple

The most famous thinkers who lived in the area are KumaratungaMunidasa and Gajaman Nona. The ethnic majority of Matara areSinhalese; during the 16th and 17th centuries Moors arrived in the areaas traders from Arabia, and today their descendants coexist withSinhalese peacefully as an ethnic minority.

Attractions

Parey Dewa (Rock in Water) or Parevi Dupatha Temple - is arelatively modern Buddhist temple located on Pigeon Island (asmall 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

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Suspension_bridgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sinhala_Peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sri_Lankan_Moorshttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gajaman_Nonahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cumaratunga_Munidasahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cumaratunga_Munidasahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File%3AWeherahena.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dutch_Ceylonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Star_fort%2C_Matarahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Matara_forthttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dondra_Head_Lighthousehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Galle_forthttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kottehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Southern_Province%2C_Sri_Lankahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thotagamuwe_Sri_Rahula_Therahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ferryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ruhunahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquakehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Matara_Districthttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Colombohttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Southern_Province%2C_Sri_Lankahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sri_Lankahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tamil_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sinhala_language

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Matara, Sri Lanka 3

Devinuwara Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya

washed away in the 2004 Tsunami). The temple is set inattractive gardens and houses numerous statues of Buddhaand 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 bythe Portuguese and was substantially re-built by the Dutchin 1640, following the capture of Galle. The fort, whichconsists 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 extensivelyremodelled 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 Dutchfollowing 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 (2.0 mi) 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.

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vijitha_Central_Collagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mahinda_Rajapakshe_Collegehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Narandeniya_National_College-Kamburupitiyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ilma_Collegehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=President_Collage-_Matarahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=St._Thomas%27_Girls%27_High_Schoolhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Matara_Central_Collegehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rahula_Collegehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sujatha_Vidyalaya%2C_Matarahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=St._Mary%27s_Convent_Matarahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=St._Servatius%27_Collegehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=St.Thomas%27_College%2C_Matara%2C_Sri_Lankahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Open_University_of_Sri_Lanka_%28Matara_Premises%29http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=University_of_Ruhunahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Star_forthttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Star_fort%2C_Matarahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dutch_Reformed_Church%2C_Matarahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Promontoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Defensive_wallhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Matara_forthttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Adam%27s_Peakhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File%3ADevinuwara_Sri_Vishnu_Maha_Devalaya_in_Sri_Lanka.jpg

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Matara, Sri Lanka 4

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 alsoplanned 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)

http://viki.lk/matarahttp://maps.msn.com/%28ibezf0yrvplsnd55dypaaz45%29/map.aspx?lats1=5.95&lons1=80.55&alts1=14&regn1=2http://maps.msn.com/%28ibezf0yrvplsnd55dypaaz45%29/map.aspx?lats1=5.95&lons1=80.55&alts1=14&regn1=2http://www.ds.gov.lk/dist_matara/english/http://www.mataracity.com/htm/history.htmhttp://srilankavillages.com/village.php?Matara&id=33http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Matara,_Sri_Lankahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Commons-logo.svghttp://www.tripwiser.com/trip_destination-Matara_Sri_Lanka?itiNodeId=8a8c80fe18ab78760118ad7b7f6c4de8&eType=sitehttp://www.tripwiser.com/trip_destination-Matara_Sri_Lanka?itiNodeId=8a8c80fe18ab78760118ad7b7f6c4de8&eType=sitehttp://tools.wmflabs.org/geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Matara%2C_Sri_Lanka&params=5_57_N_80_32_E_type:city(831000)_region:LKhttp://tools.wmflabs.org/geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Matara%2C_Sri_Lanka&params=5_57_N_80_32_E_type:city(831000)_region:LKhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=E01_expressway_%28Sri_Lanka%29http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=A2_highway_%28Sri_Lanka%29http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kataragamahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Coastal_Line_%28Sri_Lanka%29http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sri_Lanka_Railwayshttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Matara_railway_station

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Article Sources and Contributors 5

Article Sources and ContributorsMatara, Sri Lanka Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=623860859 Contributors : (jarbarf), 05theben, Abhinav, Abhishekitmbm, AdjustShift, Ahoerstemeier, Allens, AndrewEugene, 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 ContributorsFile: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

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