Matale


Matale often written as Mathale, is a large regional city located at the heart of the Central Hills of the island lies in a broad, fertile valley at an elevation of above sea level. It is the administrative capital and largest city of Matale District, Central Province, Sri Lanka. It is from Colombo and near Kandy. Surrounding the city are the Knuckles Mountain Range, the foothills were called Wiltshire by the British.

History

Matale is the only district of Sri Lanka, with a book of written history., known as Aithihaasika matale - ඓතිහාසික මාතලේ.
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 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. The church's 150th Anniversary was celebrated on 2 October 2010.

Attractions

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. Resident's of Municipality Enjoys Urban life in

Education

Matale is home to some of the island's oldest and leading colleges and schools.
The population of the Matale Municipality areas is mix of numerous ethnic groups, Mainly Sinhalese,
Sri Lankan Moor, Sri Lankan Tamils and a small Indian Tamils minority. Others including Burgher, Malay.

Ethnicity according to Matale urban area (2007)

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Ethnicity according to Matale division area (2012)

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Suburbs