Matara
Sprawling Commercial Town
General Information
Other Name: -, District: Matara, State: Southern, Sri Lanka
Area: 495.4 sq mi
Languages Spoken: Sinhalese, Tamil, English
Long Distance Code: -
Importance: -
Best Time to Visit: - to - and -
International Access: 185 km from BIADescription
Matara is a major city in Sri Lanka, on the southern coast of Southern Province. It is the second largest city in Southern Province. It is 160 km (99 mi) from Colombo. It is a major commercial hub, and it is the administrative capital and largest city of Matara District Matara is a busy, booming and sprawling commercial town that owes almost nothing to tourism – which can make it a fascinating window on modern Sri Lankan life. Matara's main attractions are its ramparts, Dutch architecture, a well-preserved fort and its street life. The Matara fort was built in 1560 by the Portuguese and was substantially re-built by the Dutch in 1640, following the capture of Galle. The fort, which consists of a large stone rampart, occupies the promontory, which separates the Niwala River lagoon and the ocean.Location
160 km from Colombo.Climate
27°C, Wind W at 19 km/h, 87% Humidity