Ampara district

Ampara district is one of the districts in the eastern province of Sri Lanka. It is known for its diverse culture and beautiful landscapes. The district emerged from the southern region of Batticaloa District and established in April 1961. It is known as අම්පාර දිස්ත්‍රික්කය (Ampāra distrikkaya) in Sinhala and அம்பாறை மாவட்டம் (Ampāṟai Māvaṭṭam) in Tamil.

History

Ampara has a history that goes back many years. Before modern development, it was part of the ancient Digamadulla kingdom, which was thriving centuries ago. The area is rich in archaeological sites that tell tales of its early Buddhist settlements and the civilization that once prospered here. Over time, Ampara has seen many changes, influenced by both local and foreign rulers.

Geography

The geography of Ampara is diverse, ranging from flat plains to rolling hills. It has lush forests and several large reservoirs, including the Senanayake Samudraya, the largest in the district. These natural resources make it an attractive place for farming and nature tourism. The district also has a coastline along the eastern side, which is lined with sandy beaches that attract locals and tourists alike.

Ampara District has the area of 4,415 square kilometers (1,705 sq mi). Its borders touch Batticaloa and Polonnaruwa districts to the north, the Indian Ocean to the east, Hambantota District to the south, and Badulla and Matale districts to the northwest. Also, it shares boundaries with the Monaragala District to the west and southeast. Located approximately 320 kilometers from the bustling capital, Colombo, Ampara serves as a pivotal hub in the region

Administration

It is administratively organized into 20 Divisional Secretary Divisions (DS Divisions), each overseen by a Divisional Secretary. These divisions, in turn, comprise 507 Grama Niladhari Divisions (GN Divisions), facilitating localized governance and services.

Electoral representation in the district is channeled through four Electoral Districts: Kalmunai, Sammanthurai, Pothuvil, and Ampara.

Local governance is facilitated through a network of 20 authorities, including two Municipal Councils, one Urban Council, and 17 Divisional Councils (Pradeshiya Sabha), fostering community engagement and development initiatives.

Cities and Towns

The district is home to several cities and towns, with Ampara town being the administrative center. Other notable towns include Kalmunai, which is bustling with commerce, and Sammanthurai, known for its paddy fields. These towns are crucial for the economic and social life of the district.

Demographics

Population

Ampara is a melting pot of ethnicities and religions. The district is ethnically diverse, with significant communities of Muslim, Tamil, and Sinhalese residents living together. As of 2012, Ampara District recorded a population of 648,057 individuals.

Ethnicity

The ethnic composition of the District, as per the 2012 Census, delineates a mosaic of identities:

• Sri Lankan Moor: 282,484 (43.59%)
• Sinhalese: 251,018 (38.73%)
• Sri Lankan Tamil: 112,750 (17.40%)
• Indian Tamil: 165 (0.03%)
• Other: 1,640 (0.25%)

Religion

Religious diversity further enriches the fabric of Ampara District:

• Islam: 282,746 (43.63%)
• Buddhist: 250,213 (38.61%)
• Hindu: 102,454 (15.81%)
• Christian: 12,609 (1.95%)
• Others: 35 (0.01%)