Kegalle is a district in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. It is one of 25 districts of Sri Lanka, the second level administrative division of the country. The district is administered by a District Secretariat headed by a District Secretary (previously known as a Government Agent) appointed by the central government of Sri Lanka. It was a former Dissavani of Sri Lanka.
Kegalle District
කෑගල්ල දිස්ත්රික්කය கேகாலை மாவட்டம் | |
|---|---|
 Map of Sri Lanka with Kegalle District highlighted | |
| Coordinates: 7°18′N 80°24′E | |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Province | Sabaragamuwa Province |
| Largest Town | Kegalle |
| Divisions | List
|
| Government | |
| • District Secretary | Mahinda S. Weerasooriya |
| • Local | List
|
| Area | |
• Total | 1,693 km2 (654 sq mi) |
| • Land | 1,685 km2 (651 sq mi) |
| • Water | 8 km2 (3 sq mi) |
| Population (2012)[2] | |
• Total | 837,179 |
| • Density | 490/km2 (1,300/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+05:30 (Sri Lanka) |
| ISO 3166 code | LK-92 |
It covers an area of 1,693 km2 (654 sq mi). The district has a population of 837,179 according to 2012 Census, which is approximately 4.0% of the total population of Sri Lanka.
Physical information
The District of Kegalle is situated in between the central highlands and western southern plains and has an enchanting environment. The height of the western region is 50 m (160 ft) above sea level while the eastern region exceeds 1,800 m (5,900 ft). Rubber cultivation has stretched over most of the area of the District and minor export crops from the district include coffee, cocoa, pepper, clove and nutmeg. Sri Lanka's best graphite mine is situated at Bogala in Kegalle District. The extent of the District is 1,692.8 km2 (653.6 sq mi).
Major cities
- Kegalle (Municipal Council)
Other towns
- Ambepussa
- Aranayaka
- Bulathkohupitiya
- Dehiovita
- Deraniyagala
- Galigamuwa
- Ganthuna
- Hemmathagama
- Karawanella
- Kitulgala
- Kotiyakumbura
- Mawanella
- Rambukkana
- Ruwanwella
- Thalgaspitiya
- Yatiyanthota
- Warakapola
Demographics
| Administration Type | Number |
|---|---|
| Female | 521,683 |
| Male | 504,541 |
| Total Population | 1026,224 |
| No. of Families | 296,348 |
Ethnic distribution (2001 census)
Most of the population are Sinhalese. Indian Tamils brought by the British as indentured labourers to work in tea states makes a significant minority.
| Ethnic group | Population | % |
|---|---|---|
| Sinhala | 674,665 | 85.89% |
| Sri Lankan Tamil | 14,908 | 1.90% |
| Indian Tamil | 44,202 | 5.63% |
| Sri Lankan Moors | 50,419 | 6.42% |
| Burger | 191 | 0.02% |
| other | 1,139 | 0.14% |
| Total | 785,524 | 100.00% |
Religious groups (2011 census)
Religions in Kegalle District (2011)[3]
| Religious group | Population | % |
|---|---|---|
| Buddhist | 707,830 | 84.7% |
| Islam | 60,575 | 7.24% |
| Hindu | 53,997 | 6.45% |
| Roman Catholic | 8,221 | 0.98% |
| protestant | 5,865 | 0.7% |
| other | 115 | 0.02% |
| Total | 836,603 | 100.00% |
Land usage
| Crops | Quantity( Hec.) |
|---|---|
| Rice | 23,516 |
| Tea | 18,673 |
| Coconut | 27,192 |
| Rubber | 89,311 |
Notable places
Situated between coastal lowlands and central highlands district has a contrasting landscape.
Elephant Orphanage of Pinnawala
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage of Pinnawala attracts thousands of tourists daily.
References
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