Matale (Sinhala language: මාතලේ, , , ) is a major city in Central Province, Sri Lanka. It is the administrative capital and largest urbanised city of Matale District. Matale is also the second largest urbanised and populated city in Central Province. It is located at the heart of the Central Highlands of the island and lies in a broad, green fertile valley at an elevation of above sea level. Surrounding the city are the Knuckles Mountain Range, the foothills were called Wiltshire by the British. They have also called this place as Matelle.
History
Matale is the only district of Sri Lanka where an ancient book of
Recorded history is found. It is known as
Pannagamam – பன்னாகமம் ("Five Headed Serpent" in English) of Goddess
Mariamman in Sri Muthumariamman Temple.
The most important historical incident in Matale is the writing of the Thripitaka during the reign of King Walagamba in 89–77 BC in Aluvihare. It is mentioned that "Mahatala" become the modern word Matale because it is placed in a valley and also the King Gajaba invaded "Soli Rata" and brought and settled 12,000 people here.
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 Puran Appu and Gongalegoda Banda.
The city is also the birthplace of Monarawila Keppetipola, a rebel who led the Wellasa rebellion against the British Army. His ancestral home, Kappetipola walawuwa, still exists at Hulangamuwa, Matale.
Attractions
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Aluvihare Rock Temple
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Anagarika Dharmapala monument
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Christ Church, Matale
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Fort MacDowall
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Matale clock tower
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Matale railway station, the former terminus of the Colombo railway (completed in 1880)
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Sri Muthumariyamman Temple
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Nandamithra Ekanayake International Hockey Ground
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Weera Monarawila Keppetipola Monument
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Weera Puranappu Monument
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.
Education
Matale is home to some of the island's oldest and leading colleges and schools.
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Government Science College
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Amina Girl's National School, Matale
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Christ Church College, Matale
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Greenwood College International, Matale
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Matale Hindu College, Matale
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Matale International School
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Pakkiyam National School, Matale
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Royal English School Matale
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St. Thomas' College, Matale
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St. Thomas' Girls' School, Matale
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Sinhala Buddhist College, Matale
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Sri Sangamitta Balika National School, Matale
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Sujatha Balika School, Matale
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Technical College, Matale
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Vijaya College, Matale
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Vijayapala Collage, Matale
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Zahira College, Matale
Demographics
According by the statistics of 2019, 8.2% of the population of
Matale District live in the Matale city limits and 15% of the population of the district live in Matale metropolis.
Matale is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural city, city's urban and metro area's residents are mix of numerous ethnic groups. The
Sinhalese people make the majority of the city. Muslims are the second largest ethnic group in the city. Others include Sri Lankan Tamils, small numbers of Indian Tamils,
Burgher people and Malays.
Ethnicity in Urban Area
Source: statistics.gov.lk
Ethnicity in Metropolis Area
Source: statistics.gov.lk
Suburbs
Notable personalities
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Alick Aluwihare, politician
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A. S. Jayawardena, Governor Central Bank of Sri Lanka
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Chanaka Welegedara, International cricketer
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Damith Wijayathunga, model and actor
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Dayan Witharana, singer and photographer
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Ehelepola Nilame, a minister in King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha's royal court
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Hemal Ranasinghe, model and actor
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Keppetipola Disawe, leader of the Great Rebellion of Uva in 1818
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Kingsley Jayasekera, actor and singer
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Kumar Sangakkara, International cricketer
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Lahiru Madushanka, International cricketer
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Prabath Jayasuriya, International cricketer
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Ven. Premananda, Hinduism guru
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Richard Aluwihare, first Ceylonese Inspector General of Police
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Richard Udugama, first Sinhalese Buddhist Army Commander
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Sanath Wimalasiri, dramatist and dancer
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general Shavendra Silva, Commander of the 58 Division during the Sri Lankan Civil War, current Commander of the Sri Lanka Army
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William Gopallawa, last Governor-General of Ceylon and first president of Sri Lanka
External links
