Ratnapura

6º41N 80º25E, pop (2001e) 45 200. Capital of Ratnapura district, SW Sabaragamuwa province, Sri Lanka; 90 km/56 mi SE of Colombo, in the valley of the Kalu Ganga; a hill topped by a Portuguese fort dominates the town; birthplace of Sirimavo Bandaranaike; ruby and sapphire mines and important gem-cutting industry; rice-producing area; rubber, graphite deposits; temple of Maha Saman Dewale, sacred to Buddhists and Hindus.

Coordinates: 6°41′N 80°23′E

Ratnapura (රත්නපුර in Sinhala; Tamil) is the name of the provincial capital of Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka and the district in which the town is situated. There is a well-established tourism industry in Ratnapura. In 1901, the town of Ratnapura had a population of 4,084, and in 2001, it had increased to 46,309. The population of the Ratnapura district was 1,008,164 in 2001, and this consisted of 86.42% Buddhists and 9.88% Hindus, with the rest of the population being Christians and Muslims.

Political

The town is ruled by a municipal council headed by a mayor. In addition to the municipal council, the Ratnapura district is divided into the following local authorities:

Balangoda Urban Council Embilipitiya Urban Council Ratnapura Pradeshiya Sabha Eheliyagoda Pradeshiya Sabha Pelmadulla Pradeshiya Sabha Kuruwita Pradeshiya Sabha Imbulpe Pradeshiya Sabha Godakawela Pradeshiya Sabha Kahawatta Pradeshiya Sabha Balangoda Pradeshiya Sabha Weligepola Pradeshiya Sabha Nivitigala Pradeshiya Sabha Ayagama Pradeshiya Sabha Kalawana Pradeshiya Sabha Embilipitiya Pradeshiya Sabha Kolonna Pradeshiya Sabha

Economy

Gem Trade

The of the town depends on the gem trade. Most of the large-scale gem businessmen of Sri Lanka operate from Ratnapura. There are considerable numbers of foreign gem traders in town too. Every day, large number of traders from suburbs and other towns gather in the town centre to sell or buy gemstones. After the discovery of world-class alluvial sapphire deposits in the valley of Ilakaka in Madagascar, many Ratnapura merchants travel out of the country to Madagascar to buy gems.

Agriculture

The town's agricultural industry is also well developed. Although rice fields also used to be a common sight around the town, rice cultivation presently faces an uncertain future in Ratnapura because many farmers are giving up their rice cultivation and switching to gem mining which is a more productive way of earning money.

Weather

Ratnapura is located in the south-western part of Sri Lanka, the so-called wet zone.

Floods

The town of Ratnapura is situated in the flooding plain of the river Kalu. The following are some important examples:

Maha Saman Devala (Buddhist) St. Peter-Paul (Catholic Church) St. Lucks (Church of England) Siva Temple (Hindu) Jumma Mosque (Islam)

Maha Saman Devala

This is a shrine dedicated to the god Saman. The god Saman is (a Buddhist deity) considered to be the guardian of Ratnapura. When the Portuguese captured Ratnapura, the ancient shrine that stood at this location was destroyed and a Portuguese church was constructed on top of it. When the Kandyan kingdom recaptured Ratnapura, the Portuguese church was destroyed and the shrine was rebuilt.

Peter-Paul Church

The history of Catholics in Ratnapura begins with Portuguese rule in Ratnapura. That Portuguese church was destroyed when the Kandyan kingdom recaptured Ratnapura from the Portuguese. The current Church is said to be inspired by Joseph Vaz the Apostle of Ceylon during the 17th century when he visited Ratnapura as a part of his apostolic mission to Sabaragamuwa.

Place to visit

Waterfalls

Lakes

Bopath waterfall

Situated at Kuruvita, few miles away from Colombo Ratnapura high level road and very easy access via a vehicles. Both waterfall attract visiters from all over the country to Ratnapura. Despite is danger the buty of this place is a gem to ratnapura

Rajana waterfall

Situated next to Ratnapura Kalawana main road in Marapana village, this beautiful seenary been captured in few famous Sinhala films.

Local Heroes

Ehelepola Nilame

In time of Last king of Sri Lanka “Sri Vikrama Rajasinha”, the Ehelepola Nilame sent to Ratnapura for bulilt a water canal to support local rice farms. The works of this heroes’ still visible around Ratnapura area and local people benefiting from his works even today. His house today stituated middle of Ratnapura city and it’s the Local museum building.