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Administrative Capital in Central Province, Sri Lanka From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Matale (Sinhala: මාතලේ, Tamil: மாத்தளை, romanized: Māttaḷai) 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 364 m (1,194 ft) 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.[4][5][6]
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2017) |
Matale මාතලේ மாத்தளை | |
|---|---|
Matale Skyline | |
  Matale මාතලේ மாத்தளை | |
| Coordinates: 7°28′7″N 80°37′22″E | |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Province | Central Province |
| District | Matale District |
| Division | Matale Division |
| Kingdom of Anuradhapura | Mathula Colony in 4th century BC |
| Municipal Council from 1963 | Matale Municipal Council |
| Founded by | King Pandukabhaya |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal Council |
| • Body | Matale Municipal Council |
| • Mayor | Sandhanam Prakash (CWC)[1] |
| • Municipal Commissioner | E. L. R. B. Atampawala |
| • Matale Secretariat | S. M. G. K. Perera[2] |
| • Matale Police Deputy Inspector General | D. R. L. Ranaweera[3] |
| Area | |
| • Administrative Capital | 70.0 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 |
| • Urban density | 4,051/km2 (10,490/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 78,864 |
| • Metro density | 1,069/km2 (2,770/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Mathalites |
| Language | |
| • Official | Sinhala and Tamil |
| • Additional | English |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (Time in Sri Lanka) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+5:30 (not observed) |
| Postal code | 21xxx |
| Area code | 066 |
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 reign 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.[7]
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.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
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.[8]Matale Municipal Council Area (MMCA)[9][10]
Matale is home to some of the island's oldest and leading colleges and schools.
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. [11]
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.
| Urban | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | Percent | |||
| Sinhalese | 46.1% | |||
| Muslims | 33.0% | |||
| Sri Lankan Tamils | 14.1% | |||
| Indian Tamils | 7.0% | |||
| Others | 0.9% | |||
Source:statistics.gov.lk
| Metropolis | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | Percent | |||
| Sinhalese | 59.3% | |||
| Muslims | 20.0% | |||
| Sri Lankan Tamils | 15.7% | |||
| Indian Tamils | 2.2% | |||
| Others | 0.8% | |||
Source:statistics.gov.lk
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