About Moratuwa City....

~HISTORY~

Moratuwa is derived from "Mura Atuwa" meaning "Sentry Turret" in Sinhalese. Queen Leelawathie (1208-1210 AD) appointed a military commander Lak Vijaya Singukith Senevi, and placed him in charge of 100,000 soldiers at Moratuwa. He was called 'Lakshadipaty' (meaning "governor of one lakh") and the area he was based is known as 'Lakshapathiya' to this day.

Moratuwa is also the proud birthplace of Veera Puran Appu who rose against oppression by the British in Kandy.

~Municipal structure~
Moratuwa consists of 21 main areas: Angulana, Borupana, Dahampura, Egoda Uyana, Idama, Indibedda, Kadalana, Kaduwamulla, Kaldemulla, Katubedda, Katukurunda, Koralawella, Lakshapathiya, Molpe, Moratumulla, Rawathawatta, Soysapura, Thelawala, Uswatta, Uyana and Villorawatta.

~Industries~
Industries in Moratuwa include the manufacture of furniture, rubber products, batteries, transformers, and wood handicrafts. The city is also a fishing and trading center. Out of these Moratuwa is most well known for its furniture.

~Education institutions~
It is the site of the University of Moratuwa (1966). Popular high schools in the area include St. Sebastian's College, Prince of Wales' College, Moratuwa, Princess of Wales College, Moratu Maha Vidyalaya and Our Lady of Victories Convent.

~Cricket~
Moratuwa is popular for its cricket stars such as Duleep Mendis,Hemal MendisChithral Mendis Romesh Kaluwitharana, Ajantha Mendis and Nimesh Perera. An international cricket stadium, De Soysa Stadium is situated in Moratuwa where some very interesting cricket games have taken place.

~Music~
Moratuwa is famous for its music and is home to some well-known musicians such as W. D. Amaradeva, M. S. Fernando, Clarence Wijewardane (Golden Chimes), Christopher Paul, Priya Peiris (La Bambas), Sunil Perera (The Gypsies), Paul Fernando, Saman Silva and Nihal Nelson.

The town also has a famous "theme song", "Punsada paaya Moratuwa dillenna" (meaning "Moratuwa in the splendour of the full moon"), which is a staple at most musical events held in Moratuwa.

~Tourism~
Tourism is nominal but more visitors have come recently due to the increasing popularity of the Bolgoda Lake in Moratuwa. Many hotels and guesthouses have opened by the waterfront. The once famous Moratuwa Beach is no longer present due to sea erosion.

Coastal areas of Moratuwa received some damage during the December 2004 Tsunami.