Moratuwa

Moratuwa මොරටුව மொறட்டுவை
Motto: පුරෝගාමීත්වයේ නගරය
Moratuwa Location of Moratuwa in Sri Lanka
Coordinates: 6°47′N 79°52′E / 6.783°N 79.867°E / 6.783; 79.867
Country	Sri Lanka
Province	Western Province
District	Colombo District
Established
Elevation	28 m (92 ft)
Population (2001)
- Total	177,190
Time zone	SLT (UTC+5:30)
Postal Code	10400

Moratuwa is a city on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, near Dehiwela-Mount Lavinia. It is situated on the Galle–Colombo main highway, 18 km south of the capital, Colombo. Moratuwa is surrounded on three sides by water, except in the north of the city, by the Indian Ocean on the west and the Bolgoda lake on the east. The population of this city is 177,190 (as in 2001 census).

History

Moratuwa is derived from "Mura Atuwa" meaning "Sentry Turret" in Sinhalese.^[1] Queen Leelawathie (1208-1210 AD) appointed a military commander Lak Vijaya Singukith Senevi, and placed him in charge of 100,000 soldiers at Moratuwa. He was called 'Lakshadipaty' (meaning "governor of one lakh") and the area he was based is known as 'Lakshapathiya' to this day.^[2]

Moratuwa is also the proud birthplace of Veera Puran Appu who rose against oppression by the British in Kandy.

Municipal structure

Moratuwa consists of 21 main areas: Angulana, Borupana, Dahampura, Egoda Uyana, Idama, Indibedda, Kadalana, Kaduwamulla, Kaldemulla, Katubedda, Katukurunda, Koralawella, Lakshapathiya, Molpe, Moratumulla, Rawathawatta, Soysapura, Thelawala, Uswatta, Uyana and Villorawatta.^[3]

Industries

Industries in Moratuwa include the manufacture of furniture, rubber products, batteries, transformers, and wood handicrafts. The city is also a fishing and trading center. Out of these Moratuwa is most well known for its furniture.

Education institutions

It is the site of the University of Moratuwa (1966). Popular high schools in the area include St. Sebastian's College[1], Prince of Wales' College, Moratuwa, Princess of Wales College, Moratu Maha Vidyalaya and Our Lady of Victories Convent.

Cricket

Moratuwa is popular for its cricket stars such as Duleep Mendis, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Prasanna Jayawardene from St.Sebastian's College Moratuwa and Ajantha Mendis From Moratu Maha Vidyalaya . An international cricket stadium, De Soysa Stadium is situated in Moratuwa where some very interesting cricket games have taken place.Also Cricket star Kavindu Lokuliyana was born there 1996.

Moratuwa is also home to the world wide charitable organization that is Sarvodaya.

Music

Moratuwa is famous for its music and is home to some well-known musicians such as W. D. Amaradeva, M. S. Fernando, Clarence Wijewardane (Golden Chimes), Christopher Paul, Priya Peiris (La Bambas), Sunil Perera (The Gypsies), Paul Fernando, Saman Silva, C. T. Fernando, and Nihal Nelson.

The town also has a famous "theme song", "Punsada paaya Moratuwa dillenna"[2] (meaning "Moratuwa in the splendour of the full moon"), which is a staple at most musical events held in Moratuwa.^[4] 'Tissa Gunawardana is Stage Drama Producer in Prince Of Wales College Moratuwa.

Tourism

Tourism is nominal but more visitors have come recently due to the increasing popularity of the Bolgoda Lake in Moratuwa. Many hotels and guesthouses have opened by the waterfront. The once famous Moratuwa Beach is no longer present due to sea erosion.

The coastal areas of Moratuwa received some damage during the 2004 tsunami.

Demographics

Source: http://www.statistics.gov.lk/census2001/population/district/t002c.htm

References

1. ^ "Western, Southern & Eastern Coasts of Sri Lanka". http://www.mysrilankaholidays.com/coastal-belt.html#Moratuwa. Retrieved 2008-07-14. 
2. ^ "Kaurava Princes and Princesses of the Past". http://www.defonseka.com/k17.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-14. 
3. ^ "Administrative Map - District Division: Moratuwa". http://ochaonline.un.org/OchaLinkClick.aspx?link=ocha&docid=1005530. Retrieved 2008-07-14. 
4. ^ "Western, Southern & Eastern Coasts of Sri Lanka". http://www.mysrilankaholidays.com/coastal-belt.html#Moratuwa. Retrieved 2008-07-14. 

Maps

• Detailed map of Moratuwa vicinity and Sri Lanka

External links

• Puran Appu
• Moratuwa City Details

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