An Overview Of The District
An Overview of the District
Matale district which considers as the central region of the Sri lanka contains extent of 1993.3 km². Matale district presents the northern part of the central province and it expands from 80º .28º up to 80º.59º of East longitudes and from 7º.24º up to 8º .01º of North latitudes. Matale which is surrounding by Anuradhapura in north, by Polonnaruwa,Badulla and Ampara in east, by kandy in south and by kurunegala in west, is enriched with bountiful of natural resources.
It is existed little folk lore regarding the creation of the name for the Matale. One folk lore expresses that the colony which assigned by king Pandukabhaya to his uncle was called "mathula colony" and it conversed to Matale. Thus, it has called as matale due to settlement of12000 of a massive crowd by King Gajaba in his reign by invading the Soli Country. Also there is another belief even suitable for the present and it reveals as a "mahathalawa" which is an immense plain bounded by peaks of mountains.
This district that heritage to the eighth wonder of world called "Sigiriya and mesmerizing mountain range of Knuckles that gifted by the nature and it contains 1373 villages, expansion through 11 divisional secretariat divisions and more than 4 lacks of population are living in this area.
Location and geographical facts of the matale that shown in the north half of the central province in Sri Lanka has shown on the map of department of measurement (Scale: 1:63360 - It has depicted by 1 inch maps such as Dambulla, Nalanda, Kurunegala, Polonnaruwa, Elahera and Rangala).
The surface of the matale covered with cotsitle classifies such as nize, granite, calicnize, crystal dolomite and also garnet, silamanaite, shitz and graphite which belong to the kondalite category of rocks. When considering the mountainous part of the area of district as a unit "chanokitez" is the basic rocks of the matale area. These rocks are making complicated structures by up and down edges that create wih the passing of time as well as the various changes occur in the internal side of the earth. This feature can observed with related the knuckles range. Sevier earth-slips had occurred related with the range of mountains such as knuckles and Hunnasgiriya because of existing rocks such as granite, silimanite and pheldizpar that decay easily and unbearable nature for the erosion. This condition is increasing due to the rainfall as it has fall than 1900 mm of annual rainfall in this region.
Area near the Mahaweli valley, which situated at the eastern boundary of Matale district is belonged to the grade "Vijayan” due to the geographical classification of the area. Especially sedimentary wet soil has deposited in this zone, as it is one of the flood plain of the Mahaweli River. Accordingly, it can show the eastern part of the district as a most suitable area for the paddy cultivation.
It can divide into 03 parts when considering the geographical difference of the matale district.
- Northern side Plain
- Matale basin and Knuckles range
- Parallel range mountains of Laggala
Generally, Dambulla, Galewela and Pallepola DS divisions of Matale district are belonged to the northern side plain. The area, which contains the Alps and isolated mountains generally, shows the features of plain and hard land. Sigiriya, Dambulla and Beliyakanda are popularizing among the isolated mountains locate in this area are popular from the ancient time. This plain generally shows an elevation of 500-1000 feet. There were numbers of tanks were existed that built up by crossing the rivers flow midst the valleys in this undulating land in ancient period. Large tanks called "Kandalama" and "Dewahuwa"are initials among those tanks. In addition to this, small tanks named "Inamaluwa" and "Thalkote" are existed in this region. Tanks and lakes in Rajarata are nourishing by the by-rivers flow on this plain."Kala wewa" and "Minneriwewa" are primes among the said rivers.
Matale area can introduce geographically as a plain. Main reason for it is surrounding of the town by mountain ranges. Related area surrounding by Knuckles, Guruluhela-pansalatenna, Ovilikanda and Hunnasgiriya range are existing in this plain. It can observe clearly from matale town. "Sudu ganaga" is the river that flows by complicating the geographical area of this area. This river is nurturing by number of streams that flow from the above said mountain ranges. Knuckles range that indicates a hard geographical nature can meet when reaching to the eastern side from Matale to Rattota. Name of this mountain has created due to the type of the top of the fist of hand.
General elevation of this range that created with five hilltops is about 400 feet.
This area that completed with scenery beauty and amazing bio-diversity is not taking the second place than other place of Sri Lanka. Therefore, this area has declared as a reservation by the government. ”Lakegala” and Kalupahana mountains are the most popular among the isolated mountains that exists in this range.
Parallel ridge zone called Laggala is the most significant feature exists in the eastern gradient of knuckles range. This zone contains with three ridges that spatter parallel to northern side from knuckles range to Laggala area. One of these ridges stretches from Thelambugala to wasgamuwa of knuckles. The second ridge has expanded from Wamarapugala to Ambanganga via Ranamure of knuckle range and third one is spreading from Rambukoluwa area to Laggala Udasiya pattu through the view of ridge is not clear. Water streams start from these ridges is connecting with the Ambanganga in bound of the northern side.
Expansion of the forests of the district is also complicated. Central, an East-west and West area of it contains wet zonal forests and north and dry zone forest in low country consists in Laggala-Wilgamuwa area of this district. It receives heavy rainfall through north – east wind though the rainfall to the district in both main monsoon winds. A massive bio-diversity has shown of the knuckles mountain range and it can consider as an initial heritage of Sri Lanka.
A plain which is most parallel to Horton plain but not large than it has located near the pitawala and small worlds’ end also exists in a corner of the place.
- Historical background and Importance
When considering the history of matale it has evidence that devil tributes were live in this area at pre-historic era. According to the extension of historic artifacts at present, it proved that the most of these tributes were scattered in the north and east areas of the district. Isolated mountain peaks located in these areas were providing benefited for their living-hood. The buried dead body aged about 3000 years found from Ibbankatuwa area where located near Dambulla can considered as strong evidence to prove the above matters. The world famous king Ravana who reign prior to 4000 years in this Island has established his capital at “Lakegala” alias Lankapura that near the Laggala at present. A few places where indicate the name of “Ravana” has existed related with Laggala even at present.
It has mentioned in chronicles that the dwelling of “Kuveni” who was spun the cottons when prince Vijaya came ashore of Sri Lanka was the “Bambawa” and he was the ruler of the said region. It has revealed that this area ruined after destroying of “devil” tributes.
It has written in historic books that the “Aryans” who came in before Christ centaury with “Sri Maha Bodi” were settled in this area. Main reason for the expansion of settlement was easiness of getting sufficient water for paddy cultivation. Folklore reveals that the 12000 of persons who brought back here by King Gajaba I after invading the “soil land” had settled in an area related with matale. According to shown in “Kadaim potha” (boundary book) of matale, 17 places out of various places where the Aryans had settled are existing in current district of matale. Most of places out of it with in Galewela and are with related places.
Most famed era of the history of matale is the period of reign of king Walagamba in 77-89 B.C "Thripitaka" was wrote down at Aluvihara Temple of matale at the same time. The next golden era was began in the period of 679-497 B.C. Prince Kashyapa who acquired the throne as a patricide was selected Sigiriya as his capital where is located near Dambulla. The king kashyapa brought the fame of Anuradhapura to Sigiriya by creating an eminence creation there. The honor and fame reached to king Kashyapa as he created a fascinating "Alakamandawa" at sigiriya, which was existed as an "Aranya Senasana"(Abbey at the Forest). Creations of king Kashyapa who reigned during 18 years are made amazing the world even at present. Buildings and water technology, which done by him around the sigiriya, were challenged to the current engineering technology. Thus, Sigiri Frescoes done on the rock of sigiriya was also superlative creation in his reign.
"Nalanda Gedige" that received from era of king Manawamma at the last era of Anuradhapura reign can introduced as another national heritage. It can explain as a creation that blended with the Hindu arts due to the features shown in architecture called "Pallawa". Thus, it has an acceptation, as this place is the centric point of the island. King vijayabahu who was the first ruler of Polonnaruwa done his first conspiracy related with protecting the country from Cholas in this place called Manikdena near Dambulla. Thus, he had selected this place as one of his initial combat centers.
Prince Parakramabahu I was selected Nalanda as the major combat center that launched against the king Gajaba, ruler of Polonnaruwa. In addition, places such as Selegama, Bogambara, Laggala, Ranamurei and Ambana selected as combat centers. King Nishshankamalla,the last ruler of the Polonnaruwa was reconstructed the Dambulla temple by plating gold and hence it has popularized as "Rangiri Dambulla Viharaya"(The golden temple).Thus, it has mentioned that a boulder had taken to create his throne from Beliyakanda.
King Wickramabahu III who resided in Gampola has escaped to Raigama when he heard about the force of enemies sent by a Tamil king called Arya chakrawarthi of Jaffna. People of matale had fought with this force of enemies as their own wish when the Tamil gang of enemies’ temporary stayed near matale. A massive crowd of enemies were dead and remain were ran away. This combat is the only one that carried out without a guidance of a ruler in the great history of Sri Lanka.
Integration of Sri Lanka had defeated after the reign of king Parakramabahu IV of Kotta era. Then, Prince Vijayapala has been assigned as a sub- king to the Matale region, which was a part of Udarata Kingdom. At the same time king, Senerath who is the father of Vijayapala was the king of Udarata Kingdom. Prince Vijayapala who conducted his governs after build up his castle in Godapola was a great warrior. He fought against Portuguese and defeated them badly. This prince was flee in 1635 A.D from Matale region, hence after it was surrender for governs of Udarata Kingdom. Udarata Kingdom included the matale region was surrender to the British govern in 1815. Matale was much important for British for their estate cultivation and for the road, leads from Trincomalee to Kandy via Matale. Kings of Rajarata who escaped to Kandyan kingdom due to the invasion of choler and Tamils were used the road via matale. Specially, up country, Rajarata and Trincomalee have connected through matale. British ran through this area for the invasion of up country in 1803 and 1815. They built MacDowall fort near matale for the invasion in 1803 and it totally ruined with the defeat. Presently, the land is using as the public cemetery and ruins of the fort can be seen even at today.
Matale was a site of a major battle in 1848 when the Matale Rebellion started and the rebels led by Weera Puran Appu and Gongalegoda Banda who considered as national heroes in Sri Lanka placed the British garrison in the Fort MacDowall in Matale under siege. The rebel was unsuccessful and all of leaders of the invasion had taken into custody and been slaughtered.
Home town of Ehelepola Nilame,Ethipola Nilame and Hero Madduma Bandara who remained the glory of Sri Lanka and recently, First governor and first president William Gopallawa of Sri Lanka was also Matale. Thus, Numbers of faithful and loyal nilames and officials of kings in the Kandyan kingdom were also lived in Matale.
Similarly, administrative activities of matale district after obtaining of freedom had been functioned under several government agents. Accordingly, they had done immense service for the up grading of the district by identifying of vivid resources and development potentials existed in the matale region. Appointments done as the secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs for Mr.Cyril Gamage and Mr. Neel de Alwis who served as government agents in matale can introduced as an exceptional incidents. Thus, Performing of Mr.Gamini Senevirathna who was one of former government agents as Secretary of the Public Service Commission is equal incident. In addition, Mrs.Helan Meegasmulla who was serving as the first female garment agent in the history of matale was also become as an impressive event.
Social Security Division
Key Responsibilities of the Section
1
Recruitment Process
Direct Recruitment are being done by the Head office and recruitments are being accomplished by the field officers with the priority of social service officers of the divisional secretariats.
2
Payments of pensions
Getting necessary activities to pay the pension for the contributor when complete the relevant age and Coordination of Rural Banks.
3
Evaluation
Payment of year end incentives and evaluation of Officers.
4
Contributory Benefits
Providing benefits for the children who passed the Grade 5 Scholar Ship Examination, G.C.E(O/L) and G.C.E(A/L) Examinations.
Total Disability Benefits
Half Disability Benefits
Death Remunerations payment