Gandara Purana Viharaya

About Matara District

Matara District, located in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, is renowned for its coastal beauty, rich history, and thriving local culture. Bordered by the Indian Ocean, it features stunning beaches like Polhena and Mirissa, which are popular for swimming and whale watching. The district's economy is driven by agriculture, particularly coconut and tea cultivation, as well as fishing. Historical landmarks such as Matara Fort and the Dondra Head Lighthouse highlight the area's colonial past. With its mix of natural attractions and cultural heritage, Matara District is a captivating destination for both locals and tourists.

About Southern Province

The Southern Province of Sri Lanka is a small geographic area consisting of the districts of Galle,Matara and Hambantota. Subsistence farming and fishing is the main source of income for the vast majority of the people of this region.

Important landmarks of the Southern Province include the wildlife sanctuaries of the Yala and Udawalawe National Parks, the holy city of Kataragama, and the ancient cities of Tissamaharama, Kirinda and Galle. (Although Galle is an ancient city, almost nothing survives from before the Portuguese invasion.) During the Portuguese period there were two famous Sinhalese poets called Andare who was from Dickwella and Gajaman Nona who was from Denipitiya in Matara District, composing poems on common man.