Ratnapura
Ratnapura (»±´» in Sinhala; °¤¤¿©ª°¿ in Tamil) ("City of Gems" 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. The modern name is derived from the Portuguese name Rapadura for jaggery, the palm candy produced traditionally in this region. Located some 101 km south east of Colombo, it is the centre of a long-established industry of precious stone mining including rubies, sapphires, and other gems, hence its name. Apart from gem mining, the town is known for rice and fruit cultivations. Large plantations of tea and rubber surround the town. Tea grown in this region is called low-country tea. There is a well-established tourism industry in Ratnapura. Sinharaja rain forest, Uda Walawe National Park, Kitulgala, and Sri pada are especially popular among tourists. 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.Top photos chosen by u all:
New year candles
Made by kirsten_H
Candles line the roads near Adam's Peak, Sri Lanka, as part of New Year's celebrations.
Regard ₪ Glance
Made by Tixu Oty
Pelmadulla (SRI) Oct. 2005
Adams Peak
Made by kirsten_H
Adam's Peak, Sri Lanka.
Adams Peak girl
Made by kirsten_H
Creuser un maximum | Digging as fast as possible
Made by Tixu Oty
Nearest places of interest:
| kalutara Kalutara Bridge WeligamaTown Kudawa | Saama Chiththiya Hatton Panadura City Ratmalana Airport |
