Galle is a heritage city in down South with reputed schools such as St. Aloysius’ College, Mahinda College, Sacred Heart Convent, Sanghamitta Balika Vidyalaya, Richmond College, Rippon College and Southlands College, a fully-fledged fisheries harbour and many star class hotels.
Galle Fort
The Galle Fort which is declared as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO is an ancient monument. The Galle bus stand and the railway station are also situated near the Fort.
The construction of the Galle Fort was inaugurated in 1588, according to chronicles written by a Portuguese known as Dom Jeronimo de Azevedo with the assistance of a local mudliyar called Samarakoon.
The Galle Fort is situated opposite the Galle International Stadium, Butterfly Bridge and the Park, and the Galle bus stand. It also borders the sea. Some people, including schoolchildren, use this fortress as an arena to watch cricket matches played at the Galle International Stadium.
During the rule of King Rajasinghe I, the Portuguese commenced the construction of Galle Fort. After the Fort was captured by the Dutch, Governor Adriaan Vander Meidan drew plans for the development of the Galle Fort.
Security posts, including the main security unit, were opened in the Galle Fort in 1667. By the last quarter of the 17th century, the Dutch were able to finish the construction of the Galle Fort. Stones for the construction of the fortress were obtained by blasting a huge rock that was within the Galle Fort.
The clock tower within the fortress was constructed in 1883. A plan was forwarded to develop the fortress further due to the reason that the Dutch Fort was a target of enemies. But they were unable to develop the Galle Fort since it was captured by the British in 1896. During the Portuguese era, stones that were taken from the sea area were used to construct the fortress.
The Galle Fort is a World Heritage site, a legacy and an asset to the residents of Galle. It gives Sri Lanka a recognition on the world map. Its proud barricade walls stand against the sea. The Clock Towerlocated within the Galle Fort was built in the late 19th century in honour of Dr. Peter Daniel Anthonisz, a Colonial Surgeon born in Galle who cared for the people of the Southern Province.
KATUWANA FORTRESS
Katuwana Fort is the first-ever inland fort in the country. The Katuwana fortress is situated on a hill in the heart of Katuwana. This is the only fortress situated in a village, about 20 miles away from the coastal belt of Hambantota. This fortress was built by the Dutch for security and trade purposes. The Dutch purchased export-oriented spices and other commodities produced in the area at this fort.
Uruboku Oya can be seen flowing from north to south about 100 meters away from the fortress. Near the fortress is a house built according to local architecture where a Disawa of Matara stayed during his visits to the area. The whole fortress was built to mount 12 cannons. The fortress has only one gateway. Over the gate, there is a magazine which is a tall building.
According to chronicles, the fortress which is five meters tall has a walkway of five–four meters wide.
The Katuwana Fortress was used as a centre for the purchase of spices and consumer items. Longstanding giant trees surround the Katuwana Fortress. It is said that Maduwanwela Dissawa had removed the door made out of stone that was at the entrance to the fortress and fixed it at his Maduwanwela Walawwa.
There is a well inside the fortress. The villagers believe that this is not a well, but an entrance to a tunnel to reach Warapitiya from the fortress. According to chronicles, the Dutch have directed a branch of the Nilwala River in Matara to Uruboku Oya with the intention of nurturing the land that comes under the purview of the Katwana Fortress.
It was renovated to retain its pristine glory on two occasions. It was renovated by the former Cultural Affairs Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and former Minister Ananda Kularatna.
MATARA STAR FORTRESS
The Star Fortress in Matara is situated facing the Matara General Hospital. It is also known as the Tharaka Kotuwa due to its star shape. In 1762, the Dutch captured the Matara Star Fort which was developed later in 1763. The Dutch Governor at that time was Redoute Van Eck. Construction work of the fortress was entrusted to a local Muladeni known as Orukem Muhandiram. The Star Fort was a residence for the Dutch Army. Now it is a centre of attraction for locals and tourists from various destinations around the globe.
The archaeological museum at the Star Fortress is of great significance. There is a skeleton of a person, a resident of Miniethiliya in Hungama. This skeleton has been excavated by the Archaeology Department. The Star Fort was taken over by the Archaeology Department in 1980.
