Matale

Matale (Sinhala: 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 written history is found. It is known as Pannagamam – பன்னாகமம் ("Five Headed Serpent" in English) of Goddess Muthumari in Sri Muthumariamman Temple.
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.
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
Aluvihare Rock Temple
Anagarika Dharmapala monument
Christ Church, Matale
Fort MacDowall
Knuckles Mountain Range
Matale clock tower
Matale railway station, the former terminus of the Colombo railway (completed in 1880)
Sri Muthumariyamman Temple
Nandamithra Ekanayake International Hockey Ground
Weera Monarawila Keppetipola Monument
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.Matale Municipal Council Area (MMCA)
Education
Matale is home to some of the island's oldest and leading colleges and schools.
Cambridge International School, Matale
Government Science College
Amina Girl's National School, Matale
Christ Church College, Matale
Greenwood College International, Matale
Matale Hindu College, Matale
Matale International School
Pakkiyam National School, Matale
Royal English School Matale
St. Thomas' College, Matale
St. Thomas' Girls' School, Matale
Sinhala Buddhist College, Matale
Sri Sangamitta Balika National School, Matale
Sujatha Balika School, Matale
Technical College, Matale
Vijaya College, Matale
Vijayapala Collage, Matale
Zahira College, Matale
Demographic
According by the statistics of 2019, 8.2% of the population of Matale District live in, 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 make the majority of the city. Muslims are the second largest in the city. Others include Sri Lankan Tamils, small numbers of Indian Tamils, Burgher and Malay.
Ethnicity in Urban Area
Source:statistics.gov.lk
Ethnicity in Metropolis Area
Source:statistics.gov.lk
Suburbs
Agalawatta (MC)
Aluvihare (MC)
Hulangamuwa (MC)
Kaludewala (MC)
Mandandawela (MC)
Palapathwela (PS)
Ukuwela (PS)
Yatawatta (PS)
Notable personalities
Alick Aluwihare, politician
A. S. Jayawardena, Governor Central Bank of Sri Lanka
Chanaka Welegedara, International cricketer
Damith Wijayathunga, model and actor
Dayan Witharana, singer and photographer
Ehelepola Nilame, a minister in King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha's royal court
Hemal Ranasinghe, model and actor
Keppetipola Disawe, leader of the Great Rebellion of Uva in 1818
Kingsley Jayasekera, actor and singer
Kumar Sangakkara, International cricketer
Prabath Jayasuriya, International cricketer
Ven. Premananda, Hindu guru
Richard Aluwihare, first Ceylonese Inspector General of Police
Richard Udugama, first Sinhalese Buddhist Army Commander
Sanath Wimalasiri, dramatist and dancer
Gen. Shavendra Silva, Commander of the 58 Division during the Sri Lankan Civil War, current Commander of the Sri Lanka Army
William Gopallawa, last Governor-General of Ceylon and first president of Republic of Sri Lanka
References
External links
The Official website of Sri Muthumariamman Thevasthanam
Knuckles range nature preservation centre
Discover Sri Lanka – More information & images about Matale
The official web site of Aluvihara rock cave temple
Kingdom of Kandy