Moratuwa

History

Both Moratuwa and Lakshapathiya are mentioned in the 15th century poem Kokila Sandesha, written by a monk poet of Devundara to celebrate Prince Sapumal during the reign of King Parakramabahu VI. Lunawa, Uyana and Rawathawatte are mentioned in 16th century chronicles and church records of martyrs, the latter commemorates Revatha Thera, the chief incumbent of a temple built by King Vijayabahu I. Lakshapathiya, meaning commanding a hundred-thousand, was once the land awarded to Lak Vijaya Singu, a Commander of King Nissanka Malla. Subsequent to the Wijayaba Kollaya and the division of the Kotte Kingdom, the hamlet of Koralawella was created as part of Raigam Korale, which again became part of Moratuwa in 1735, however losing Ratmalana and parts of Borupane to Dehiwala. The name Moratuwa is derived from "Mura Atuwa" meaning sentry turret in Sinhalese which once existed at Kaldamulla.

Industries

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

Attractions

The Bolgoda lake situated in Moratuwa is the largest natural lake of Sri Lanka. It is a tributary of the Kalu Ganga which originates at Adam's Peak and is a popular resort for swimming, angling and boating. Bolgoda lake spreads, twisting from Ratmalana via Moratuwa and Panadura till it meets the sea at Wadduwa and Moratuwa via the Moratu ganga. Moratuwa is home to the oldest church dedicated to St. Sebastian and the Holy Emmanuel Church, which was once the tallest building in Sri Lanka. A monument to Puran Appu stands in the premises of the Moratuwa Municipal Council and a museum is housed at the Weera Puran Appu Vidyalaya.

Music

Moratuwa is famous for its music and is home to some well-known musicians such as W. D. Amaradeva, C.T. Fernando, M. S. Fernando, Paul Fernando, Nihal Nelson, Priya Peiris (La Bambas), Sunil Perera (The Gypsies),Maxwell Mendis, and Niranjala Sarojini.

The town also has a famous theme song, Punsada paaya Moratuwa dillenna (meaning "Moratuwa in the splendour of the full moon"), which is a staple at most musical events held in Moratuwa. Clarence Wijewardena also composed Moratuwa Moratuwa mea nomakena nama song in tribute to the town.

Sport

Moratuwa is famous for its notable cricket players, such as Duleep Mendis, Susil Fernando, Roger Wijesuriya, Ajantha Mendis, Amal Silva, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Sajeewa de Silva, Dinusha Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Prasanna Jayawardene, Angelo Perera, Kusal Mendis, Vishwa Fernando, Amila Aponso, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nishan Madushka, Dunith Wellalage,Vishwa Fernando,Oshada Fernando,Nuwanidu Fernando and Praveen Jayawickrama

An international cricket stadium, De Soysa Stadium (Tyronne Fernando Stadium) is situated in Moratuwa.

Demographics

Moratuwa is a Buddhist majority area. Moratuwa consisting of all ethnic and religious groups seen in Sri Lanka. This suburb has a highest percentage of Christian population after Negombo, which is significantly higher than the national average.

Public library

The Public library of Moratuwa Municipal Council “Janasetha Kala Ketha” at Galle Road, Katubedda, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka was opened in 1987. This was constructed by the funds raised by Moratuwa municipal council to the amount of rupees 15 laks and 50 laks by the Japanese organization “World Exposition Commemorative”. The library was constructed according to Japanese architecture. Among the other facilities provided by the main library are art and stories hour and Tamil language hour for children, Computer classes for children and adults, conference, lectures etc. Every year the library celebrates the literature month (September) and National reading month (October), conducting various activities to develop reading habits among the children. Janasetha Kala Ketha, the public library of Moratuwa, has been awarded as The Best Public Library in Colombo district in the years 2012 and 2013 and as The Best Public Library in the Western Province of the Island in 2012.

Transport

The main road transport link to Moratuwa is the Colombo-Galle Highway (Galle Road), which links the suburb from the North and South. Moratuwa is linked to the outside by four bridges, Old Moratuwa Bridge at the town centre, New Galle Road Bridge at Modara, Kospalana Bridge and Borupana Road Bridge, all across the Bolgoda Lake. The town is linked by Galle Road to the North at Ratmalana, to Panadura to the South and to Pilyandala in the East. Access to the Southern Expressway from Moratuwa is either through Kottawa or by Horana Road. There are two Sri Lanka Transport Board Depots in Moratuwa: Moratuwa S. L. T. B. Depot and Katubedda S. L. T. B. Depot.

The Coastal Railway Line from Colombo to Matara runs through Moratuwa along the coast. There are five railway stations in Moratuwa: Angulana, Lunawa, Moratuwa, Koralawella and Egodauyana.

Architecture

Unlike most other cities in Sri Lanka, Moratuwa is characterised by many Christian schools and a large variety of church buildings, e.g. Anglican Holy Emmanuel Church which was built 1857–1860 in a neogothic style with a tall clock tower, the modern Methodist Church dating from 2016 in Moratuwella and St. Sebastian's Church, a neobaroque Roman Catholic church. Few buildings dating from colonial times are preserved, e.g. the Clock Tower and the Post Office.

Maps

• Detailed map of Moratuwa vicinity and Sri Lanka