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Ratnapura District

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This article is about the district in Sri Lanka. For the town, see Ratnapura.

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Ratnapura District රත්නපුර දිස්ත්‍රික්කය இரத்தினபுரம் மாவட்டம்
Administrative District
Map of Sri Lanka with Ratnapura District highlighted
Coordinates: 6°35′N 80°35′E / 6.583°N 80.583°ECoordinates: 6°35′N 80°35′E / 6.583°N 80.583°E
Country	Sri Lanka
Province	Sabaragamuwa Province
Largest City	Ratnapura
Government
• District Secretary	Malani Lokupothagama
Area
• Total	3,275 km2 (1,264 sq mi)
Population  (2012)[1]
• Total	1,082,277
• Density	330/km2 (860/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+05:30 (Sri Lanka)
ISO 3166 code	LK-91

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

The 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.

Contents

• 1 Religion
• 2 Major cities
• 3 Big towns
• 4 Other towns
• 5 Administration
  • 5.1 Plantation companies
• 6 References
• 7 Maps
• 8 External links

Religion[edit]

Religions in Ratnapura District (2011)^[2]

  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.^[2]

Major cities[edit]

• Ratnapura (Municipal Council)

Big towns[edit]

• Balangoda (Urban Council)
• Embilipitiya (Urban Council)

Other towns[edit]

• Eheliyagoda
• Pelmadulla
• Kuruwita
• Imbulpe
• Godakawela
• Kahawatta
• Rakwana
• Weligepola
• Nivitigala
• Ayagama
• Kalawana
• Kolonne
• Panamure
• Pohorabawa
• Opanayaka

Administration[edit]

17 Divisional Secretariat divisions of Ratnapura district

For the administrative purpose district is divided into 17 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

Plantation companies[edit]

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.