Central Beach Inn Blog

History of Matara City

August 11, 2010

The Name Matara its meaning –

During the past Matara was called ” Mahathota”. The river running through Matara is ‘Nilwala River. There was a wide area across this river. Hence it was called “Mhathota” which means “The great ferry “.Out all the other “great ferries in Sri lanka,Mahathota attracted the attention of the poets. According to Reverend Sri Rahula’s” Paravi Sndesaya ” it is mentioned that Weerabamapanam made Matara as his capital and named “Mapatuna”. Portuguese Priest Quarese’s reason for the name “Matara” is also referring to Nilwala River. Portuguese called this place as ” Maturai ” , and which means a great fortress. Portuguese called as” Maturai” in 1672. In 1744 Hide Matheren called as “Madarai”. One thing that is clear here is that the Portuguese mis-pronounced the word. According to the old books it is clear that the Portuguese called it as “Maturai”. “Thurai” which is a Tamil word means “Ferry”.
The presently used name “Matara” has been in used for the last three centuries connecting its contact with the river “Nilwala”.

Flag of Matara -

Matara has been dominated from time to time by foreign rulers. As a result it is impossible to presume what was the official flag of Matara.In the past Matara became famous for its elephant orphanage .The head of the elephant orphanage was Gajanayaka.

The flag that belonged to him was the flag with the elephant on the center and four bloomed lotus flowers in the four corners of the flag. Even today this flag is being displayed at state functions as the flag of Matara along with the national flag. This practice is followed to remember the ancient history with which this flag is connected. Anybody seeing this flag can be proud of its perennial value.

About Administrations in Matara –

# Portuguese Administration (1790-1795)# Dutch Administration (1756-1796)

# English Administration (1796-1948)

Dutch Administration –

The Dutch which captured the Maritime Province divided it in to four Administrative areas. They were named as Sabaragamuwa, Sath Korle, Sathara Korele and Matara. Out of these, Matara District covered a larger area. Whole of Southern Province up to river Kaluganga was extended as Matara District .In the deed given by “King Dharmapala”to the Dutch it was mentioned that the area of Matara District extended from Kotte to River Walawe Ganga. According to the Dutch Priest “Franande de Quvrose” who wrote an explanatory report .Maritime Southern Province was divided in to nine areas for administrative purposes. All these nine provinces were named as “ Matara Maha Disawa ”. By these facts it is clear that Matara had been considered as an important area during the period of Dutch. The following maps show how they divided the area for administrative purposes

The above maps of the Dutch show the division.

About Star Fort –

This fort was build by the Dutch during their rule and the original structure is maintained to date. Construction work on this fort was completed in 1765.Even today this fort can be seen in its original structure near the river Nilwala by the side of the Matara Hospital. As this structure is StarShaped it was called “Star Fort”. The roof of this building paved with cadjan leaves was one time the Engineering office. But today it is converted into a Museum. Later the cadjan roof was replaced with tiles made of clay.This fort becomes historically important for there is another Fort built during the rule of the Dutch. Maintenance of its originality by the successive governments makes anyone to understand the history of Matara even without referring to books.The letters marked VOC on the arch of the entrance to the Star Fort is a name of a company which is written in Dutch language as follows: ” vercenigde ostindenche compagne “. This means United Eastern Trading Company. This was constructed by the Governor Redout Van Eat. The year engraved in the badge is 1765. The following wordings in Dutch language can be seen under the badge

A DE LY OFFER KOOFMAN SECUNDE VAN HET GAALS COMMANT MITSGS DESSARE DESER LANDED AO MD COLXY.

		OLD MARKET- The old market which stands by the side of the main road at Nupe was built around 1775 by the Dutch. This is the first spectacular building one can see while coming from Colombo at the right side of the main road. It is still being maintained with its pristine structure. Though it had been a market in the past, today it is being used as a cultural center where traditional dances and other art activities take place.

		FORT MATARA – The Dutch Fort rampart is a spectacular sight for anyone who visit Matara city. It extends from the river Nilwala to the Beach Road, which is by the sea side. Its length is about 50 meters and the height is about 9 meters from the ground. And the width of the rampart is about 2 meters upon which people can walk about. The top of the rampart which is paved with grass is a quite safe place for those who can have a view of the town. The whole area is maintained and remains unchanged even today with its pristine glory of the Dutch rulers. Fort of Matara is the center of Administration of the whole district where you can find the District Secretariat, Divisional Secretariat of Matara division, all the courts of law and many other state offices. Another important building one can see is an old Dutch church built around 1775.

		CLOCK TOWER - On the center of the rampart is the clock tower which you can see in the picture. It is about 12 meters in height. It has been built in 1765 by Dutch. It has been maintained by the successive local authorities. Even today it stands as a monument of the Dutch rulers with its same old pristine glory. Though the machine of the clock was repaired and serviced regularly the architecture of the structure remains unchanged. It is a legacy left by the Dutch who ruled this country for more than a century.

		THE DUTCH CHURCH – Having in previous numbers of this Journal given our readers illustrations of the three principal Dutch Churches in Ceylon, viz., those at Wolvendaal, Galle, and Jaffna, we now present them with a sketch of the Church at Matara which, although not of the same pretensions as the others in regard to size or architecture, is yet superior in every respect to the numerous village churches which were scattered about in various parts of the Dutch dominions, of which some exist to the present day.