Moratuwa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Moratuwa මොරටුව
City
Nickname(s):  MRT
Moratuwa Location in Colombo District
Country	Sri Lanka
Province	Western Province
District	Colombo District
Area
• Land	23.4 km2 (9.0 sq mi)
Elevation	28 m (92 ft)
Population  (2012)
• Total	168,280
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (SLT)
Postal Code	10400

Moratuwa (Sinhala: මොරටුව) is a big city in Sri Lanka. It is located on the southwestern coast, close to Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia. The city sits right on the main highway that connects Galle and Colombo. It is about 18 kilometers (11 miles) south of central Colombo.

Moratuwa is almost surrounded by water. The Indian Ocean is to its west, Bolgoda Lake is to its east, and the Moratu River is to its south. Only the northern part of the city is connected to land. In 2012, about 168,280 people lived here.

This city is famous as the birthplace of several important people. These include Veera Puran Appu, a brave fighter against British rule. Sir Charles Henry de Soysa, a kind person who helped many, was also born here. The well-known musician Pandit W. D. Amaradeva also came from Moratuwa.

What Makes Up Moratuwa?

Moratuwa is divided into 24 main areas, which are like different neighborhoods. These areas include:

• Angulana
• Borupana
• Dahampura
• Egoda Uyana
• Idama
• Indibedda
• Kadalana
• Kaduwamulla
• Kaldemulla
• Katubedda
• Katukurunda
• Koralawella
• Lakshapathiya
• Lunawa
• Molpe
• Moratumulla
• Moratuwella
• Puwakaramba
• Rawathawatta
• Soysapura
• Thelawala
• Uswatta
• Uyana
• Willorawatta

A Look at Moratuwa's Past

Moratuwa has a long history, mentioned in old writings.

• The 15th-century poem Kokila Sandesha talks about Moratuwa and Lakshapathiya.
• Older records from the 16th century mention Lunawa, Uyana, and Rawathawatte.
• The name Lakshapathiya means "commanding a hundred-thousand." This land was once given to a commander named Lak Vijaya Singu.
• The name Moratuwa comes from "Mura Atuwa," which means "sentry turret" in Sinhalese. This refers to a watchtower that used to be in Kaldamulla.

What Moratuwa Makes: Industries

Moratuwa is known for its many industries.

• People here make furniture, which is one of the city's most famous products.
• Other things made in Moratuwa include rubber products, batteries, and transformers.
• You can also find beautiful wood handicrafts.
• The city is also an important place for fishing and trading goods.

Learning in Moratuwa: Education

Moratuwa is home to many schools and colleges.

• The University of Moratuwa is a top technology university in South Asia. It is located by the Bolgoda Lake in Katubedda. This university started in 1978.
• The Ceylon-German Technical Training Institute (CGTTI), also called German Tech, is an engineering college. It helps students learn important technical skills.
• The Industrial Engineering Training Institute (IETI) is another national institute. It is part of the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority.

There are many high schools and primary schools in Moratuwa, including:

• Moratu Maha Vidyalaya
• Prince of Wales' College
• St. Sebastian's College
• Princess of Wales' College
• Our Lady of Victories Convent
• St. Sebastian's Girls' School
• Weera Puran Appu Model School
• Methodist High School - Puwakaramba
• Janajaya Vidyalaya
• De Soysa Maha Vidyalaya
• Podujaya Vidyalaya - Angulana
• Rawathawaththa Roman Catholic School
• Sri Sunanda Upananda Maha Vidyalaya - Egodauyana
• St. Anthony's School - Kadalana
• Koralawella Roman Catholic School
• Sri Saddarmodaya Vidyalaya - Koralawella
• Arafath Muslim Maha Vidyalaya - Egodauyana Modara
• Willorawatte Gnanissara Buddhist Vidyalaya
• Shikshadana Maha Vidyalaya - Lakshapathiya
• Rawathawaththa Methodist College
• Egodauyana Junior School
• Kusinara International School
• Bodhiraja Vidyalaya - Katubedda (Primary)
• Saleena Primary School - Kaldemulla (Primary)
• Moratumulla Lanka Saba Vidyalaya (Primary)
• St. Mary's College - Katukurunda (Primary)
• Thilaka Vidyalaya - Koralawella (Primary)
• Sri Nagasena Vidyalaya - Koralawella (Primary)
• Sugathadharmadhara Vidyalaya - Egodauyana (Primary)
• Uyana Junior School (Primary)

Fun Things to See and Do

Moratuwa has some interesting places to visit.

• The Bolgoda Lake is the largest natural lake in Sri Lanka. It is a great spot for swimming, fishing, and boating.
• The lake connects to the Kalu Ganga river and flows towards the sea.
• Moratuwa has the oldest church dedicated to St. Sebastian.
• The Holy Emmanuel Church was once the tallest building in Sri Lanka.
• You can see a monument to Puran Appu at the Moratuwa Municipal Council. There is also a museum about him at the Weera Puran Appu Vidyalaya.

Moratuwa's Musical Talent

Moratuwa is well-known for its music and has produced many famous musicians.

• Some of these talented artists include W. D. Amaradeva, C.T. Fernando, M. S. Fernando, Nihal Nelson, Priya Peiris (La Bambas), Sunil Perera (The Gypsies), and Niranjala Sarojini.
• The town even has its own famous song, Punsada paaya Moratuwa dillenna. This means "Moratuwa in the splendor of the full moon." You'll often hear it at local music events.
• Clarence Wijewardena also wrote a song called Moratuwa Moratuwa mea nomakena nama to honor the town.

Sports in Moratuwa: Cricket Stars

Moratuwa is especially famous for its cricket players. Many talented cricketers come from this city.

• Some notable players include 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, and Sadeera Samarawickrama.
• The city also has an international cricket stadium called De Soysa Stadium (Tyronne Fernando Stadium).

Who Lives in Moratuwa: Demographics

Moratuwa is home to many different ethnic and religious groups found in Sri Lanka.

• The city has a higher percentage of Christian people compared to the national average, second only to Negombo.

Ethnic Groups in Moratuwa

Religions in Moratuwa

Moratuwa's Public Library

The Public Library of Moratuwa Municipal Council is called "Janasetha Kala Ketha." It is located on Galle Road in Katubedda. The library opened in 1987. It was built with money from the Moratuwa municipal council and a Japanese organization.

The library has a Japanese architectural style. It offers many services, including:

• Art and story hours for children.
• Tamil language classes for kids.
• Computer classes for both children and adults.
• Spaces for conferences and lectures.

Every year, the library celebrates literature month in September and national reading month in October. They hold various activities to encourage children to read more. Janasetha Kala Ketha has won awards for being the best public library in the Colombo district in 2012 and 2013. It was also named the best public library in the Western Province in 2012.

Getting Around Moratuwa: Transport

Getting to and from Moratuwa is easy.

• The main road is the Colombo-Galle Highway (Galle Road). It connects the city from the north and south.
• Moratuwa is linked to other areas by four bridges. These are the Old Moratuwa Bridge, New Galle Road Bridge, Kospalana Bridge, and Borupana Road Bridge. All of them cross the Bolgoda Lake.
• The city is connected by Galle Road to Ratmalana in the north and Panadura in the south. It also links to Pilyandala in the east.
• You can reach the Southern Expressway from Moratuwa through Kottawa or by using 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.

Railway Stations

The Coastal Railway Line runs through Moratuwa along the coast. This line connects Colombo to Matara. There are five railway stations in Moratuwa that serve the local residents:

• Angulana
• Lunawa
• Moratuwa
• Koralawella
• Egodauyana

Buildings and Style: Architecture

Moratuwa has many interesting buildings, especially churches.

• Unlike some other cities in Sri Lanka, Moratuwa has many Christian schools.
• You can see a variety of church buildings here.
• The Anglican Holy Emmanuel Church was built between 1857 and 1860. It has a Neo-Gothic style with a tall clock tower.
• The modern Methodist Church in Moratuwella dates from 2016.
• St. Sebastian's Church is a Neo-Baroque Roman Catholic church.
• Some older buildings from colonial times are still preserved. These include the Clock Tower and the Post Office.

Images for kids

• 

  Moratuwa Railway Station

• 

  Galle Road

• 

  Clock tower and Urban Council

• 

  Post Office

• 

  Methodist Church in Moratuwella

• 

  St. Sebastian's Church

See also

In Spanish: Moratuwa para niños