Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Region: Western Province
Geographic Coordinates: 6.799100, 79.876700
Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 35.0°C (68°F to 95°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with two monsoon seasons, May to September and December to March. Average temperature is around 27°C.
Population: 200000
Language: Sinhalese
Moratuwa is a bustling city located on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, Just 20 kilometers south of Colombo. The city is known for its vibrant culture, Rich history, And stunning natural beauty. It is a popular tourist destination that attracts visitors from all over the world. One of the most notable features of Moratuwa is its long and pristine beachfront. The golden sands stretch for miles along the coast, Offering visitors plenty of opportunities to soak up the sun or take a dip in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
There are also plenty of water sports activities available such as surfing, Jet skiing or windsurfing. The city has a rich cultural heritage that can be seen in its architecture and landmarks. One such landmark is St Sebastian’s Church which was built in 1771 and still stands tall today as one of Moratuwa’s most iconic structures. Another landmark worth visiting is Bolgoda Lake which covers an area of approximately 3500 hectares and offers breathtaking views. Moratuwa has also become known for its thriving arts scene with numerous galleries showcasing local talent across different mediums including painting, Sculpture, Photography and more.
Food lovers will find themselves spoilt for choice here with numerous restaurants serving up delicious local cuisine including seafood dishes like prawn curry or fish ambulthiyal (sour fish curry). Street food vendors selling traditional snacks like kottu roti (chopped roti bread mixed with vegetables) can also be found throughout the city. Moratuwa has become an important industrial hub in Sri Lanka with various industries ranging from textiles to furniture manufacturing contributing to its economy.
This has resulted in significant growth over recent years making it an exciting place to visit or even live if you’re looking for new business opportunities or simply want to experience life on this beautiful island nation’s southwest coast!
- Bolgoda Lake: This is the largest natural freshwater lake in Sri Lanka and a popular destination for water sports such as boating, fishing, and kayaking.
- St. Sebastian’s Church: A historic Catholic church built-in 1937 known for its beautiful architecture.
- Richmond Castle: A colonial-style mansion built-in 1900 by a wealthy British planter that now serves as a museum.
- Koralawella Beach: A scenic beach with golden sand and clear blue waters ideal for swimming and sunbathing.
- Moratuwa University: One of the leading universities in Sri Lanka known for its engineering programs.
- Wadduwa Beach: Another beautiful beach located just a few kilometers south of Moratuwa with excellent surfing conditions.
- Rathmalana Airport Museum: A fascinating museum showcasing the history of aviation in Sri Lanka with vintage aircraft on display.
- Bolgoda Wetland Park: An eco-tourism site that offers boat tours through mangrove forests and bird watching opportunities.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list but rather some notable landmarks and tourist attractions in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.
- Furniture manufacturing
- Textile manufacturing
- Boat building and repair
- Construction industry
- Education sector with several universities and schools located in the city
- Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) engaged in various activities such as retail, food processing, handicrafts etc.
- Export-oriented industries producing goods such as rubber products, garments, ceramic products etc.
In recent years, Moratuwa has also emerged as a hub for technology startups with several companies operating in the city providing software development services to clients both locally and internationally.
- The Dutch Fort in Moratuwa, a former Dutch colony, can still be seen today.
- St. Sebastian’s Church, built by Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century, is one of Sri Lanka’s oldest Catholic churches.
- Piyadasa Sirisena was born in Moratuwa and is renowned for his paintings depicting traditional Sri Lankan life.
- Nimal Mendis composed several popular songs in Sri Lanka during the 1970s and 1980s, including Ganga Addara and Sanda Hiru Tharu.
- Cyril de Zoysa designed notable buildings throughout Sri Lanka, such as the BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall) in Colombo.
- Wijeyananda Dahanayake served as Prime Minister of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) from 1959 to 1960 as a politician.
- Dr C.W.W Kannangara is known as the Father of Free Education for establishing a free education system accessible to all children regardless of social status or wealth.
- Moratu Maha Vidyalaya is an old school with a rich history that has produced many scholars, politicians & professionals.
- Moratuwa Heritage Museum
- Bolgoda Lake
- Koralawella Beach
- St. Sebastian’s Church
- Sri Lanka Air Force Museum
- Dehiwala Zoo
- Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya
- Ratmalana Airport Museum
- Diyatha Uyana Park
- Mount Lavinia Beach
- Moratuwa Sports Club: Founded in 1903, it is one of the oldest cricket clubs in Sri Lanka and has produced many talented cricketers who have represented the national team.
- Old Zahirians Sports Club: Established in 1934 by alumni of Zahira College, Colombo residing in Moratuwa, this club has a rich history in football and cricket.
- Union College Old Boys’ Sports Club: Founded by alumni of Union College, Colombo living in Moratuwa, this sports club has teams for cricket, football, basketball and volleyball.
- St Sebastian’s Sports Club: Established by alumni of St Sebastian’s College to promote sports among young students, this club has teams for cricket and football.
- De Mazenod College Cricket Team: With a strong cricket team that has produced many talented players over the years, De Mazenod College is a leading school in Moratuwa.
- Prince of Wales’ College Rugby Team: Another leading school with a strong rugby team that competes at national level tournaments is Prince of Wales’ college.
- Holy Cross Sports Club: Established by the Catholic community living in Moratuwa to promote sports culture among young people irrespective of their religion or ethnicity; it has teams for both cricket and football.
These prominent sports teams have contributed significantly to promoting sports culture among young people over generations.
- Moratuwa Poya Perahera is a Buddhist festival that occurs annually in Moratuwa to celebrate the full moon day of the month of Vesak.
- The Moratumulla Perahera is a vibrant procession featuring dancers, drummers, and elephants that takes place in August in Moratuwa.
- Thewatte Basilica Feast is an annual religious festival held at the historic Thewatte Basilica Church in Moratuwa. It attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over Sri Lanka.
- The Kite Festival is a popular event held on beaches around Moratuwa during April where locals and tourists come together to fly kites and enjoy various activities.
- The National Fisheries Festival is an annual event organized by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development to promote Sri Lanka’s fishing industry, celebrated in different parts of Sri Lanka including Moratuwa.
- The Sinhala New Year Festival is a significant cultural event celebrated across Sri Lanka, including in Moratuwa where people engage in traditional games, prepare special food items, and visit temples to offer prayers for prosperity and good fortune for the coming year.
- Lamprais – a dish of rice, meat or fish curry, and various accompaniments wrapped in a banana leaf. It is available at many small eateries in Moratuwa.
- Seafood – as Moratuwa is located near the coast, seafood dishes like prawns, crab curry, and fish curry are popular.
- Biryani – a spicy rice dish with meat or vegetables.
- Wadiya – small roadside stalls selling snacks like vadai (a deep-fried lentil fritter), samosas, and cutlets.
- The Fab Cafe – a popular cafe serving western-style breakfasts and sandwiches.
- The Station Restaurant & Bar – a restaurant that serves Sri Lankan and international cuisine with live music on weekends.
- Red Snapper Seafood Restaurant – specializes in fresh seafood dishes cooked to order.
- Hotel Sunhill Restaurant & Bar – which serves both Western and Sri Lankan food options
- Sanasa Food Court- offers traditional Sri Lankan meals at affordable prices
- Morawela Beach Resort- offers an array of authentic Sri Lankan dishes including their famous seafood platter
- Bolgoda Lake is a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts, offering activities such as jet skiing, kayaking and boating.
- Moratuwa Beach is a long stretch of sandy coastline with calm waters that are perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
- De Soysa Stadium is a cricket stadium that hosts local matches and tournaments, providing entertainment for sports fans.
- Weras Ganga Park is a scenic park with plenty of amenities to enjoy including jogging tracks, children’s play areas and boat rides on the river.
- Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist temple surrounded by beautiful parklands with walking paths and picnic areas to explore.
- Koralawella Beach in Moratuwa is renowned for its clear blue waters and golden sand, making it another popular spot for beach-goers.
- Diyatha Uyana Park offers visitors an urban oasis complete with a lake where they can enjoy boat rides or take leisurely strolls through the landscaped gardens or cycle around the park’s pathways.
- Ratmalana Airport Park provides stunning views of planes taking off and landing while also offering visitors peaceful surroundings in which to relax amid nature’s beauty.
- The Moratuwa University Grounds offer facilities like football fields, basketball courts, tennis courts etc., which are open to the public during certain hours of the day so people can enjoy playing their favorite sports here too!
- Moratumulla Railway Station Park has recently been renovated by authorities providing tourists & locals alike with nice place to sit back & relax while watching trains pass by near Moratumulla railway station.
