Ratnapura District - Rathnapura
Ratnapura ( Gem City) is the capital of Ratnapura District in the Sabargamuwa Province. It is linked by Road to Avissawella Balangoda, Embilipitiya Pelmadulla and Balngoda etc This town is on the banks of Kalu Ganga which starts from Sripada Mountain and flows into the sea Moratuwa. Ratnapura is in a low lying area and is constantly subject heavy floods when Kalu Ganga overflows during the rainy season. Ratna pura is a town with a long history. Saman Devalaya of Ratnapura had been in existence for over a thousand years and had been destroyed by the Dutch during the Dutch Period of Sri Lanka?s History, It has been rebuilt later. There is a famous stone carving within its premises. People in the Sabargamuwa come to Saman Devalaya, dedicated to God Saman who is believed to be the custodian God of Sri Pada, to invoke his blessings and make vows. The Annual Perahera Procession/Pageant) of Saman Devalaya is very famous and thousands of people throng to see it. Ratnapura is in the vicinity of Sri Pada and several ancient roués to Sri Pada were through Ratnapura. Sri Lanka?s Tea Research Institute for low country tea is in Ratnapaura
