Matara - The beauty of down south

My home town Matara, is a major city in Sri Lanka, on the southern coast of Southern Province. It is the second largest city in Southern Province. It situated 160 km (99 mi) away from Colombo. It is a major commercial hub, and it is the administrative capital and largest city of Matara District.

Consist of two elements, the term Matara gives its meaning as the Great Ferry, that may be the meaning "great seaport" or "great fortress".It was also called 'Maha Tota' (Malo Tota) or Maha- pattana, the great ferry.Maha Ethara meaning "great ford". Matara historically belongs to the area that was called the Kingdom of Ruhuna, which was one of the three kingdoms in Sri Lanka. According to Thotagamuwe Sri Rahula Thera's Paravi Sndesaya King Weerabamapanam made Matara as his capital and named it "Mapatuna". In the 16th and 18th centuries, Matara was ruled by the Portuguese, Dutch and British respectively.The Dutch and English culture and architecture can still be seen throughout the area.

Matara is a famous tourist attraction point in Southern province. Parey Dewa (Rock in Water) ,Dutch Reformed Church, Star Fort ,Old Nupe Market ,St Mary's Church and the beautiful coastal line are some of the famouse places visited by the both local and tourist people.

The most famous thinkers who lived in the area are Kumaratunga Munidasa and Gajaman Nona. Prestigious higher education centers like university of Ruhuna and famous schools like  Rahula College, St. Thomas' College and Sujatha vidyalaya also situated in Matara District.

Thank you very much.....

Blog by :- Hasindu Withanage

(Mu/21/015) 

(Undergraduate at University of the visual and Performing Arts) 

(Faculty of Music)