Matale

Matale (Sinhala: මාතලේ, romanized: Mātalē; Tamil: மாத்தளை, romanized: Māttaḷai) often written as Mathale (pronounced Maathalé), is a large major regional city located at the heart of the Central Hills of the island lies in a broad, fertile valley at an elevation of 364 m (1,194 ft) above sea level. It is the administrative capital and largest city of Matale District, Central Province, Sri Lanka. It is 142 kilometres (88 mi) from Colombo and near Kandy. Surrounding the city are the Knuckles Mountain Range, the foothills were called Wiltshire by the British.

Matale

මාතලේ
மாத்தளை
City
Matale
City skyline view from Sindakatti Sri Kumaran Kovil.
Matale
Coordinates: 7°28′7″N 80°37′22″E
CountrySri Lanka
ProvinceCentral Province
DistrictMatale District
Divisional SecretariatMatale Division
Mathula Colony4th century
Matale Municipal Council1963
Founded byKing Pandukabhaya
Government
 • TypeMayor-Council
 • BodyMatale Municipal Council
 • MayorDaljith Aluvihare UNP
Area
 • City70.0 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)
 • Density1,490/km2 (3,900/sq mi)
 • Urban
38,229 (Municipality Area)
 • Metro
78,864 (Matale Division)
Demonym(s)Mathalians
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (Time in Sri Lanka)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+5:30 (not observed)
Postal code
21xxx
Area code(s)066

History

Matale is the only district of Sri Lanka, with a book of written history., known as Aithihaasika matale - ඓතිහාසික මාතලේ ("ancient Matale" in English).

Aluvihare Rock Temple is situated on north side of the city's suburb, Aluvihare. The historic location where the Pali Canon was first 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 who are considered as national heroes in Sri Lanka.

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

Christ Church, Matale was consecrated by Bishop James Chapman on 30 December 1860. The church site chosen was Fort McDowall, commanding a view of the entrance to Matale via Trincomalee. The church having been erected and furnished, the Revd William Frederick Kelly, Minister and Chaplain in Matale, and 36 others sent their petition to the Rt Revd James Chapman, D.D., to dedicate and consecrate Christ Church. The parsonage was opened on 16 August 1862. The 75th Anniversary was celebrated in 1935. The centenary was celebrated on 28 and 29 January 1961. The 125th Anniversary was celebrated on 6 September 1986. The church was gutted by fire in 1985 and was completely restored. Services were held in the Baptist Church in the interim period. On 22 June 1911, there was a special service held in this church in connection with the Coronation of His Majesty King George V, and Queen Mary. The offertory on that was given to the King Edward VIII.[1] The church's 150th Anniversary was celebrated on 2 October 2010.

Attractions
  • Anagarika Dharmapala monument
  • Aluvihare Rock Temple
  • Fort MacDowall
  • Knuckles Mountain Range
  • Matale Sri Muthumariyamman Temple
  • Nandamithra Ekanayake International Hockey Ground
  • Old Clock Tower
  • Old Railway Station, the former terminus of the Colombo railway (completed in 1880)
  • Weera Puranappu Monument
  • Weera Monarawila Keppetipola Monument

Economy

The city is surrounded by large plantations and is famous for its spice gardens. In addition to agriculture, the city's main economic activities include Tourism, Business and Trade. Population growth, urban expansion and economic development in Matale have created regulatory and management challenges.[2] Resident's of Municipality Enjoys Urban life in Matale Municipal Council Area (MMCA) [3][4]

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 Matale Municipality areas is mix of numerous ethnic groups, Mainly Sinhalese, Sri Lankan Moor (Muslims), Sri Lankan Tamils and a small Indian Tamils minority. Others including Burgher, Malay.

Ethnicity according to urban area (2007)
Ethnicity in Matale Urban Area (2007)
Population Percent
Sinhalese
 
 60.85%
Muslims
 
 35.67%
Sri Lankan Tamils
 
 12.46%
Indian Tamils
 
 7.97%
Others
 
 0.39%

Source:statistics.gov.lk

Ethnicity according to division area (2012)
Ethnicity in Matale Division (2012)
Population Percent
Sinhalese
 
 70.55%
Muslims
 
 17.85%
Sri Lankan Tamils
 
 15.97%
Indian Tamils
 
 2.97%
Others
 
 1.00%

Source:statistics.gov.lk

Suburbs of Matale City

Notable personalities of Matale

References
  1. Anti Tuberculosis Fund. (Ref. Ceylon Churchman Report for the year ending 20 June 1911)
  2. 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)
  3. Atapattu, A; Subasinghe, Shyamantha; Iwai, Y (24 August 2019). "Urban Growth and Development Pattern of Matale Municipal Council Area". Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. 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)
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