Weeraketiya is a small town in Hambantota District, Southern Province in southern Sri Lanka, about 18 kilometres (11 mi) by road north of Tangalle. It is known for being the birthplace of Mahinda Rajapaksa.[1] The town belongs to Weeraketiya Divisional Secretariat.
Weeraketiya | |
|---|---|
Town | |
  Weeraketiya | |
| Coordinates: 6°10′0″N 80°44′48″E / 6.16667°N 80.74667°E | |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Province | Southern Province |
| District | Hambantota |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (Sri Lanka Standard Time) |
History
editThe St. Joseph's Estate, operated in Weeraketiya during the colonial times, produced tomatoes and coconuts.[2] In 1969, the Germans funded the installation of medium-wave 50 kilowatt transmitters at Maho and Weeraketiya.[3] It was installed by the first quarter of 1970.[4]
Landmarks
editThe town lies around the Udakiriwila Tank (lake). The Seegala Temple of Pillars lies near its western bank. The town contains the Rajapaksha Central College and a National Youth Corps Training Center. To the south of the tank is Weeraketiya Hospital, Singapore Friendship College and the Teacher Training Center and Weerakatiya Rajapaksha Central College.[5]
References
edit- ^ Britannica Book of the Year 2011. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 1 March 2011. p. 106. ISBN 978-1-61535-500-6.
- ^ The Tropical Agriculturalist. 1931. p. 65.
- ^ Wilson, A. Jeyaratnam (10 June 2010). Electoral Politics in an Emergent State: The Ceylon General Election of May 1970. Cambridge University Press. p. 158. ISBN 978-0-521-15311-9.
- ^ Ceylon Year Book. Department of Census and Statistics. 1971. p. 339.
- ^ "Weeraketiya". Google Maps. Retrieved 7 December 2013.