Sabaragamuwa province

Sabaragamuwa Province is one of the nine provinces in Sri Lanka, located in the southwestern part of the island. It is known for its natural beauty, with lush green hills, waterfalls, and tea plantations. The province is an important area for agriculture, particularly for growing tea and rubber.

Geography

Sabaragamuwa is bordered by the Western Province to the west, Central Province to the north, Uva Province to the east, and Southern Province to the south. The province has a diverse landscape that includes mountains, valleys, and rivers. It is home to part of the famous Sinharaja Forest Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region’s climate is tropical, with heavy rainfall, especially in the central highlands.

Demographics

The population of Sabaragamuwa Province is diverse and made up of people from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The province has a mixture of rural and urban areas, with people engaged in farming, trade, and services.

Ethnicity

The majority of the population in Sabaragamuwa is Sinhalese, making up around 86% of the people in the province. There are also smaller groups of Tamils, and Muslims. While Sinhalese is the dominant group, the province is known for its multicultural atmosphere, where different ethnic groups live and work together.

Religion

Buddhism is the predominant religion in Sabaragamuwa, with most Sinhalese people being Buddhists. There are also significant numbers of Hindus, Muslims, and Christians, reflecting the province’s ethnic diversity. Temples, churches, mosques, and kovils can be found throughout the province, serving the religious needs of the people.

Administrative Divisions

Sabaragamuwa Province is divided into two administrative districts: Kegalle and Ratnapura. These districts are further divided into smaller divisions called Divisional Secretariats. Ratnapura is known for its gem industry, and Kegalle is famous for its agriculture, particularly rubber cultivation. The administrative structure helps in managing the province’s development, infrastructure, and public services. The provincial capital is Ratnapura, which is an important city for trade and commerce in the region.