Pushpin Map: | Sri Lanka |
Settlement Type: | Administrative Capital |
Subdivision Type: | Country |
Subdivision Name: | Sri Lanka |
Subdivision Type1: | Province |
Subdivision Name1: | Central Province |
Subdivision Type2: | District |
Subdivision Name2: | Matale District |
Subdivision Type3: | Division |
Subdivision Name3: | Matale Division |
Leader Title: | Mayor |
Leader Title1: | Mayor |
Leader Name1: | Sandhanam Prakash (CWC)[1] |
Leader Title2: | Municipal Commissioner |
Leader Name2: | E. L. R. B. Atampawala |
Area Urban Km2: | 25.65 |
Area Metro Km2: | 71 |
Population As Of: | 2016 |
Population Urban: | 38,229 |
Population Metro: | 78,864 |
Timezone: | Time in Sri Lanka |
Utc Offset: | +5:30 |
Timezone Dst: | not observed |
Utc Offset Dst: | +5:30 |
Coordinates: | 7.4686°N 80.6228°W |
Elevation M: | 364 |
Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
Postal Code: | 21xxx |
Area Code: | 066 |
Matale Sinhala; Sinhalese: මාතලේ Tamil: மாத்தளை | |
Demographics Type1: | Language |
Demographics1 Title1: | Official |
Area Total Km2: | 70.0 |
Area Total Sq Mi: | 27.03 |
Government Type: | Municipal Council |
Governing Body: | Matale Municipal Council |
Population Demonym: | Mathalites |
Founder: | King Pandukabhaya |
Established Date: | Mathula Colony in 4th century BC |
Established Title1: | Municipal Council from 1963 |
Established Date1: | Matale Municipal Council |
Established Title: | Kingdom of Anuradhapura |
Leader Name3: | S. M. G. K. Perera[2] |
Leader Title3: | Matale Secretariat |
Leader Name4: | D. R. L. Ranaweera[3] |
Leader Title4: | Matale Police Deputy Inspector General |
Seal Alt: | Matale Coat of Arms |
Population Density Urban Km2: | 4,051 |
Population Density Metro Km2: | 1,069 |
Demographics1 Info1: | Sinhala and Tamil |
Demographics1 Info2: | English |
Demographics1 Title2: | Additional |
Matale (Sinhala: මාතලේ, Tamil: மாத்தளை|translit=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 364m (1,194feet) 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]
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.
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.
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]
See 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.
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.
Source:statistics.gov.lk
Source:statistics.gov.lk