Ratnapura (Sinhala: රත්නපුර දිස්ත්‍රික්කය, Tamil: இரத்தினபுரம் மாவட்டம்) is a district of Sri Lanka in the Sabaragamuwa Province.

Ratnapura District
රත්නපුර දිස්ත්‍රික්කය
இரத்தினபுரம் மாவட்டம்
Map of Sri Lanka with Ratnapura District highlighted
Map of Sri Lanka with Ratnapura District highlighted
Coordinates: 6°35′N 80°35′E / 6.583°N 80.583°E / 6.583; 80.583
CountrySri Lanka
ProvinceSabaragamuwa Province
Largest CityRatnapura
Government
 • District SecretaryMalani Lokupothagama
Area
 • Total3,275 km2 (1,264 sq mi)
Population
 (2012)[1]
 • Total1,088,007
 • Density332.2/km2 (860/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+05:30 (Sri Lanka)
ISO 3166 codeLK-91

This gem-mining centre of Sri Lanka is also a major crossroad between southern plains and the hill country to the east. A bustling market city servicing most of the surrounding towns, many of the prominent gem dealers in Sri Lanka operate from this town. There is a route to Sri Pada from Ratnapura direction. Excursions include Sinharaja Forest Reserve and Udawalawe National Park. The surrounding area is a popular trekking destination and a good place for bird watching. The district is home to Kukulugala, the 18th tallest mountain in Sri Lanka.[2][3]

Religion

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Religions in Ratnapura District (2011)[4]

  Buddhism (86.8%)
  Hinduism (9.3%)
  Islam (2.3%)
  Christianity (1.6%)

The majority of the population are Buddhists. Other religions include Hinduism, Islam and Christianity.[4]

Religion Population(2012)
Buddhism 943,464
Hinduism 101,962
Islam 24,446
Christianity 18,056
Other Religion 79

Major cities

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Large towns

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Other towns

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Administration

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18 Divisional Secretariat divisions of Ratnapura district

For the administrative purpose district is divided into 18 Divisional Secretariat divisions

  1. Eheliyagoda
  2. Kuruwita
  3. Kiriella
  4. Rathnapura
  5. Elapatha
  6. Ayagama
  7. Imbulpe
  8. Opanayaka
  9. Pelmadulla
  10. Nivithigala
  11. Kalawana
  12. Balangoda
  13. Weligepola
  14. Godakawela
  15. Kahawaththa
  16. Embilipitiya
  17. Kolonna
  18. Kalthota

Plantation companies

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The Ratnapura district includes areas managed by Five Plantation Companies. Namely, Agalawatte Plantations PLC managed by Mackwoods, Balangoda Plantations PLC managed by Stassens, Pussellawa Plantations PLC, managed by Freelanka, Hapugastenne Plantations PLC Managed by Finlays, and Kahawatte Plantations PLC managed by Forbes.

The ownership of these companies lie with the State.

References

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  1. ^ "Census of Population and Housing 2011".
  2. ^ "GeoNames.org". www.geonames.org. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  3. ^ The national atlas of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka (Second ed.), Colombo: Survey Dept., Sri Lanka, 2007, ISBN 978-955-9059-04-2{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. ^ a b Department of Census and Statistics,The Census of Population and Housing of Sri Lanka-2011
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