Matale

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Matale
මාතලේ
மாத்தளை
Administrative Capital
Matale skyline
Matale skyline
Matale Coat of Arms
Seal
Matale ���ාතලේ மாத்தளை is located in Sri Lanka
Matale මාතලේ மாத்தளை
Matale
මාතලේ
மாத்தள��
Coordinates: 7°28′7″N 80°37′22″E / 7.46861°N 80.62278°E / 7.46861; 80.62278
CountrySri Lanka
ProvinceCentral Province
DistrictMatale District
DivisionMatale Division
Kingdom of AnuradhapuraMathula Colony in 4th century BC
Municipal Council from 1963Matale Municipal Council
Founded byKing Pandukabhaya
Government
 • TypeMunicipal Council
 • BodyMatale Municipal Council
 • MayorSandhanam Prakash (CWC)[1]
 • Municipal CommissionerE. L. R. B. Atampawala
 • Matale SecretariatS. M. G. K. Perera[2]
 • Matale Police Deputy Inspector GeneralD. R. L. Ranaweera[3]
Area
 • Administrative Capital70.0 km2 (27.03 sq mi)
 • Urban
25.65 km2 (9.90 sq mi)
 • Metro
71 km2 (27 sq mi)
Elevation
364 m (1,194 ft)
Population
 (2016)
 • Urban
38,229 (Municipality Area)
 • Urban density4,051/km2 (10,490/sq mi)
 • Metro
78,864 (Matale Division)
 • Metro density1,069/km2 (2,770/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Mathalites
Language
 • OfficialSinhala and Tamil
 • AdditionalEnglish
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (Time in Sri Lanka)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+5:30 (not observed)
Postal code
21xxx
Area code(s)066

Matale (Sinhala: මාතලේ, Tamil: மாத்தளை, romanized: Māttaḷai) is the administrative capital and largest urbanised centre in the Matale District, Central Province, Sri Lanka. It is located at the heart of the Central Hills of the island and lies in a broad, fertile valley at an elevation of 364 m (1,194 ft) above sea level. Surrounding the city are the Knuckles Mountain Range, the foothills were called Wiltshire by the British.

History[]

Matale is the only district of Sri Lanka, where an ancient book of written history is found. It is known as Pannagamam - பன்னாகமம் ("Five Headed Serpent" in English) of Goddess Muthumari in Sri Muthumariamman Temple, Matale.

The most important historical incident in Matale is writing the thripitaka which was held during the ruling period of king Walagamba in 89-77 BC in Aluvihare, Therefore this is permanent evidence for human settlements in Matale before centuries of years. There are folklores receipt of the name “Matale”. It is mentioned that “Mahatala” become as Matale because it is placed in a valley and also the King Gajaba invaded “Soli Rata” and brought and settled 12,000 peoples in here it is become as Matale. There are number of folktales about the name of Matale. Mahathala has been used for large valley area. It gradually converted as Matale.[4]

The Aluvihare Rock Temple that is situated on north side of the city's suburb, Aluvihare. The historic location where the Pali Canon was written down completely in text on ola (palm) leaves in 29 BCE.

Matale was the site of a major battle in 1848 when the Matale Rebellion started and the British garrison in the Fort MacDowall in Matale was placed under siege by the rebels led by Weera Puran Appu and Gongalegoda Banda.

The city is also the birthplace of Monarawila Keppetipola, a rebel who led the Wellasa rebellion against the British troops. His ancestral home, Kappetipola walawuwa, still exists at Hulangamuwa, Matale.

Attractions[]

Economy[]

The city is surrounded by large plantations and is famous for its spice gardens. In addition to agriculture, the main economic activities include tourism, business and trade. Population growth, urban expansion and economic development in Matale have created regulatory and management challenges.[5] Resident's of Municipality Enjoys Urban life in Matale Municipal Council Area (MMCA) [6][7]

Education[]

Main article: List of schools in Central Province, Sri Lanka

Matale is home to some of the island's oldest and leading colleges and schools.

Demographics[]

The population of the city's urban area's is mix of numerous ethnic groups. The Sinhalese make the majority in the city. Muslims are the second largest group in the city. Others include Sri Lankan Tamils, small numbers of Indian Tamils, Burgher and Malay.

Ethnicity in Matale Municipality Area[]

Ethnicity in Matale Urban Area (2007)
Population Percent
Sinhalese
 
 60.85%
Muslims
 
 40.10%
Sri Lankan Tamils
 
 10.46%
Indian Tamils
 
 3.97%
Others
 
 0.39%

Source:statistics.gov.lk

Ethnicity in Matale Division Area[]

Ethnicity in Matale Division (2012)
Population Percent
Sinhalese
 
 70.55%
Muslims
 
 24.85%
Sri Lankan Tamils
 
 16.97%
Indian Tamils
 
 2.97%
Others
 
 1.00%

Source:statistics.gov.lk

Suburbs[]

Notable personalities[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Matale Mayor Daljith Aluvihare suspended".
  2. ^ "District Secretariat - Matale".
  3. ^ "Kandy DIG promoted".
  4. ^ "Divisional Secretariat - Matale - About Us". www.matale.ds.gov.lk. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  5. ^ Gamage, Nardda; Kumara, Sisira (31 December 2016). "Socio-Economic Determinants of Well-Being of Urban Households: A Case of Sri Lanka". Rochester, NY. SSRN 2938379. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ^ Atapattu, A; Subasinghe, Shyamantha; Iwai, Y (24 August 2019). "Urban Growth and Development Pattern of Matale Municipal Council Area". Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. ^ Gamage, Nardda; Kumara, Sisira (31 December 2016). "Socio-Economic Determinants of Well-Being of Urban Households: A Case of Sri Lanka". Rochester, NY. SSRN 2938379. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

External links[]


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