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{{For|other forms|Ratnapur (disambiguation)}}
{{use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2020}}
{{More citations needed|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Ratnapura
| official_name = Ratnapura
| native_name = {{Lang|Si|රත්නපුර}}<br>{{Lang|Ta|இரத்தினபுரி}}
| other_name = Mini Pura, Ruwan Pura, Manikya Pura, city of Gems
| settlement_type = City
| image_skyline = Ratnapura Clock Tower.jpg
| image_caption = Ratnapura Clock tower
| image_flag =
| image_seal =
| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|zoom=8|type=shape-inverse|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#5f5f5f}}
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = Sri Lanka
| pushpin_label_position = Location of Ratnapura within Sri Lanka
| pushpin_mapsize =
| coordinates = {{coord|6|40|50|N|80|24|08|E|region:LK|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[Sri Lanka]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Sri Lanka|Province]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Districts of Sri Lanka|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Sabaragamuwa Province|Sabaragamuwa]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Ratnapura District|Ratnapura]]
| government_type = [[Municipal Council]]
| leader_title = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name = K.A.D.R.I. Katugampala ([[National People's Power|NPP]])
<ref>{{Cite web |title=NPP also secures power in Ratnapura Municipal Council |url=https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=109527 |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=www.adaderana.lk |language=en}}</ref>
| postal_code_type = [[postal code]]
| postal_code = 70000
| area_magnitude =
| area_total_km2 = 20
| elevation_m = 130
| population_total = 165,998
| population_as_of = 2022
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 =
| population_demonym = Ratnians
| unemployment_rate =
| website = {{URL|http://www.ratnapura.mc.gov.lk|ratnapura.mc.gov.lk}}
| footnotes =
| timezone = [[Time in Sri Lanka|SLT]]
| utc_offset = +05:30
}}

'''Ratnapura''' ({{Langx|si|රත්නපුර}}, {{IPA|si|rət̪n̪əpurə|ipa}}; {{Langx|ta|இரத்தினபுரி}}, {{IPA|ta|iɾɐt̪ːinɐβuɾi|ipa}}) ("City of Gems" in [[Sinhalese language|Sinhala]] and [[Tamil language|Tamil]]) is a major city in [[Sri Lanka]]. It is the capital city of [[Sabaragamuwa Province]], as well as the [[Ratnapura District]], and is a traditional centre for the Sri Lankan gem trade. It is located on the [[Kalu Ganga]] (Black River) in south-central Sri Lanka, some {{convert|101|km|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of the country's capital, [[Colombo]]. Ratnapura is also spelled as Rathnapura.

The name 'Ratnapura' is a [[Sanskrit]] word meaning "city of gems", from the Sanskrit words ''pura'' (town) and ''ratna'' (gemstone).<ref>{{cite book |last=Suckling |first=Horatio John |year=1876 |title=Ceylon: A General Description of the Island, Historical, Physical, Statistical (Volume 1) |location=London |publisher=Chapman & Hall |page=10 |oclc=3864935}}</ref> Over 2000 years ago, when the first Buddhist monks arrived here from the north eastern provinces of India namely Bodh-Gaya, Varanasi and Pataliputra, they not only brought with them the Buddhist religion, but since their teachings were mainly in Sanskrit and Pali they also influenced the local language. While candy produced from the [[jaggery palm]] is traditionally known in this region as ''ratnapura'', it is more likely that the candy was named for the locale rather than ''[[vice versa]]''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ariyaratna |first=D. H., President of the Sri Lanka Gem Association of the United Kingdom |year=2006 |title=Gems of Sri Lanka |edition=Sixth|location=Colombo, Sri Lanka |publisher=D.H. Ariyaratna |page=31 |isbn=978-955-95494-4-4}}</ref>

It is the centre of a long-established industry of precious stone mining including [[ruby|rubies]], [[sapphire]]s, and other gems. Apart from gem mining, the city is known for the production of [[rice]] and [[fruit]]. Large plantations of [[tea]] and [[rubber]] surround the city. Tea grown in this region is called low-country tea. There is a well-established tourism industry in Ratnapura. Nearby [[Sinharaja Forest Reserve]], [[Udawalawe National Park]], [[Kitulgala]], and [[Adam's Peak]] are especially popular among tourists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gorgeous Lanka Tours - Ratnapura |url=https://gorgeouslanka.com/ratnapura |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20200926092251/http://gorgeouslanka.com/ratnapura |archive-date=2020-09-26 |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=gorgeouslanka.com}}</ref>

In 1901, the town of Ratnapura had a population of 4,084, and by 2021, it had an estimate around 100,000 people, with [[Buddhist]]s, [[Hindus]], [[Christians]] and [[Muslims]] each constituting a significant portion of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ratnapura (District, Sri Lanka) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location |url=https://citypopulation.de/en/srilanka/prov/admin/sabaragamuwa/91__ratnapura/ |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=citypopulation.de}}</ref>

== Politics ==

The city is governed by a [[municipal council]] headed by a [[mayor]]. The council is elected by popular vote and has 15 seats. There were 29,159 registered voters in the 2006 local authorities elections.{{Citation needed|date=May 2016}}

== Health ==
Ratnapura hospital, upgraded to a Teaching Hospital in early 2019, is equipped with three surgical units, three medical units, two orthopedic units, three Obstetrics and gynaecology units, two paediatrics units, an ENT unit, a neurology unit, a neurosurgical unit, a rheumatology unit, a urosurgical unit, a nephrology unit with dialysing facilities, a dermatology unit, a psychiatric unit, an A&E unit, and a cardiology unit. It has theatre facilities for routine surgeries, and for 24/7 casualties. It also has two ICU units catering 12 ICU beds at the moment. It is also a post graduate training center for surgical and paediatric pg trainees. It was upgraded as a teaching hospital, with the establishment of Medical faculty in Sabaragamuwa university.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rathnapura General Hospital (Government Main Hospital) |publisher=SriLankaTravelMap |url=http://www.srilankatouristmap.com/place-rathnapura-general-hospital-110.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712160339/http://www.srilankatouristmap.com/place-rathnapura-general-hospital-110.html |archive-date=12 July 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Economy ==
{{unreferencedsect|date=June 2023}}
===Gem trade===
The people of the town depend on the [[Gems of Sri Lanka|gem trade]]. [[Gemstone|Gem]] pits are common sights in the surrounding area. Most of the large-scale gem businessmen of [[Sri Lanka]] operate from Ratnapura. There are considerable numbers of foreign gem traders in the city too who have recognised the value of the gems found there. Among the foreign traders, Thai ([[Thailand]]) traders are in the majority. Every day, a large number of traders from suburbs and other towns gather in the town centre to sell or buy gemstones. Large-scale merchants collect gemstones from locals and sell them in the international market. Some traders go out of the city to buy gems. This includes neighboring towns like [[Kalawana]], [[Bogawantalawa]], and Ela-Hera. After the discovery of world-class alluvial sapphire deposits in the valley of [[Ilakaka]] in [[Madagascar]], many Ratnapura merchants travel out of the country to Madagascar to buy gems. There are three main Gem marketplaces in Ratnapura: Abagahamula Gem Market, Clock Tower Gem Market, and Demuwamawatha Gem Market. These markets operate in different hours in the day.

=== Agriculture ===

The city's agricultural industry is also well developed. Large plantations of [[Ceylon tea|tea]] and [[rubber]] surround the town. Although [[rice]] fields also used to be a common sight around the town, rice cultivation presently faces an uncertain future in Ratnapura because many farmers are giving up their rice cultivation and switching to gem mining which is a more productive way of earning money. If many farmers give up on agriculture, it would be harder for farmers to harvest enough food for them and to trade in the markets. Many delicious fruits (like [[mango]] and [[papaya]]) and vegetables are grown as market products.

== Transport ==

Ratnapura city is located in the A4 Highway which connects capital [[Colombo]] to [[Kalmunai]] in the [[Eastern Province, Sri Lanka|Eastern Province]]. Another Highway A8 connects the town with [[Panadura]] in the western coast of Sri Lanka. During the British occupation of the Island, [[narrow gauge]] train track was laid in 1912 connecting Colombo – [[Avissawella]] – Ratnapura – Opanayake however line Avissawella onwards removed in 1976. Thus reducing the mode of transportation to road.
In 2006, construction started on a new [[broad gauge]] railway line to Rathnapura only.
In 2014, the government gave approval to the [[E06 expressway (Sri Lanka)|E06 Ruwanpura Expressway]] which will connect Rathnapura with Sri Lanka's Expressway Network. Work on the expressway began in 2021, with the first section to be completed by the end of 2023.

== Climate ==
Ratnapura features a [[tropical rainforest climate]] under the [[Köppen climate classification]]. The city is located in the south-western part of Sri Lanka, the so-called wet zone. The town receives rainfall mainly from south-western monsoons from May to September. During the remaining months of the year, there is also considerable precipitation due to [[Precipitation (meteorology)#Convective precipitation|convective rains]]. The average annual precipitation is about {{convert|3,500|to|5,000|mm|in|-1}}. The average temperature varies from {{convert|24|to|35|°C|1}}, and there are high humidity levels. The city is {{convert|21|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level.

{{Weather box
| width = auto
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| location = Ratnapura (1991–2020)
| Jan record high C = 36.1
| Feb record high C = 38.3
| Mar record high C = 38.6
| Apr record high C = 37.0
| May record high C = 36.1
| Jun record high C = 35.7
| Jul record high C = 34.8
| Aug record high C = 37.2
| Sep record high C = 36.3
| Oct record high C = 34.8
| Nov record high C = 35.1
| Dec record high C = 34.9
| year record high C =

| Jan high C = 32.4
| Feb high C = 33.7
| Mar high C = 34.2
| Apr high C = 33.5
| May high C = 32.0
| Jun high C = 30.9
| Jul high C = 30.6
| Aug high C = 30.7
| Sep high C = 31.1
| Oct high C = 31.3
| Nov high C = 31.4
| Dec high C = 31.4
| year high C = 31.9

| Jan mean C = 27.2
| Feb mean C = 27.9
| Mar mean C = 28.5
| Apr mean C = 28.5
| May mean C = 28.1
| Jun mean C = 27.5
| Jul mean C = 27.2
| Aug mean C = 27.2
| Sep mean C = 27.1
| Oct mean C = 27.1
| Nov mean C = 27.1
| Dec mean C = 26.9
| year mean C = 27.5

| Jan low C = 21.9
| Feb low C = 22.2
| Mar low C = 22.8
| Apr low C = 23.4
| May low C = 24.1
| Jun low C = 24.0
| Jul low C = 23.9
| Aug low C = 23.6
| Sep low C = 23.2
| Oct low C = 23.0
| Nov low C = 22.8
| Dec low C = 22.4
| year low C = 23.1

| Jan record low C = 17.0
| Feb record low C = 16.7
| Mar record low C = 18.0
| Apr record low C = 20.4
| May record low C = 20.1
| Jun record low C = 20.7
| Jul record low C = 20.6
| Aug record low C = 20.5
| Sep record low C = 20.1
| Oct record low C = 20.0
| Nov record low C = 19.6
| Dec record low C = 16.6
| year record low C =

| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 124.7
| Feb precipitation mm = 137.0
| Mar precipitation mm = 204.1
| Apr precipitation mm = 366.1
| May precipitation mm = 467.5
| Jun precipitation mm = 382.1
| Jul precipitation mm = 282.1
| Aug precipitation mm = 304.6
| Sep precipitation mm = 372.1
| Oct precipitation mm = 467.5
| Nov precipitation mm = 368.3
| Dec precipitation mm = 211.7
| year precipitation mm = 3687.9

| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 8.2
| Feb precipitation days = 8.5
| Mar precipitation days = 12.3
| Apr precipitation days = 19.0
| May precipitation days = 20.3
| Jun precipitation days = 21.1
| Jul precipitation days = 18.9
| Aug precipitation days = 18.6
| Sep precipitation days = 19.1
| Oct precipitation days = 21.2
| Nov precipitation days = 17.9
| Dec precipitation days = 12.9
| year precipitation days = 198.0

| source = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="WMONormals">{{cite web
|url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/SriLanka/CSV/Ratnapura_43486.csv
|title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Ratnapura
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = January 3, 2024}}</ref>
}}

=== Floods ===

Much of the city of Ratnapura is situated in the flood plain of the Kalu River. As a result, it experiences regular floods, usually during the month of May. There are no large-scale dams upstream on the Kalu to control Spring runoff. Proposals to reduce flood risk in the city have yet to reach the feasibility stage.<ref>{{cite web |title=Flood Hazard Mapping in Ratnapura City |publisher=International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM) |url=http://www.icharm.pwri.go.jp/training/pdf2007/07_proposal_report/sri_lanka.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105182449/http://www.icharm.pwri.go.jp/training/pdf2007/07_proposal_report/sri_lanka.pdf |archive-date=5 January 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2003, the town experienced the largest flood since the independence of Sri Lanka from Britain in 1947.

== Paleontology ==
Several fossil localities have been reported from the [[Ganga valley]] in which several rivers reside. Overall, [[Stegodon insignis]] and [[Palaeoloxodon namadicus]] are known from [[Varanasi]] and [[Allahabad]]; ''[[Elephas antiquus]]'' and ''[[Rhinoceros (genus)|Rhinoceros]]'' are known from the lower '''Ganga alluvium'''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Chauhan |first=Parth R. |date=2008 |title=Large mammal fossil occurrences and associated archaeological evidence in Pleistocene contexts of peninsular India and Sri Lanka |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1040618207002078 |journal=Quaternary International |language=en |volume=192 |issue=1 |pages=20–42 |doi=10.1016/j.quaint.2007.06.034|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The fauna of the Ratnapura are is termed the '''Ratnapura fauna'''.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal |last=Deraniyagala |first=Paulus Edward Pieris |date=1960 |title=Some mammals of the extinct Ratnapura fauna of Ceylon. Part IV. |url= |publisher=National Museums of Ceylon |page=1-14 |issn= |oclc= |access-date= |ref=none |no-tracking=yes |journal=Spolia Zeylanica}}</ref>

=== Balahapuva and Dakaragoda ===
The [[Paleontology|paleontological]] site of '''Balahapuva''' was described in detail by [[Paulus Edward Pieris Deraniyagala]]. This site comprises the Ratnapura fauna, made-up of a gem pit bearing sand-encrusted fossils and thick [[limonite]] lumps. He described an upper third hippopotamus [[Molar (tooth)|molar]], a ''Rhinoceros'' [[Mandible|mandibular body]], an [[elephant]] molar, Axis tooth, two ''[[Rusa (genus)|Rusa]]'' teeth, and a [[Crystal|crystalline]] [[Scraper (archaeology)|scraper]] as well as two now-defunct [[hominid]] species: ''[[Homo]]'' sinhaleyus (misspelt as ''sinhalensis<ref name=":1" />'') from Dakaragoda and ''Homopithecus sinhaleyus'' from Balahapuva.<ref name=":0" />

''Homo sinhaleyus'' was named from a small fragmented skull with a thick brow and small orbits probably contemporary with ''[[Hexaprotodon|Hexaprotodon sinhaleyus]]'' at the site of '''Dakaragoda'''. ''Homopithecus sinhaleyus'' is based upon a badly worn upper left first [[incisor]] ([[Ratnapura Museum]] No. F. 389) missing the root discovered 18 ft underground and associated with the entirety of the local fauna. He pinned an upper [[Middle Pleistocene]] age. Deraniyagala believed that the ''Homo sinhaleyus'' may have been a "[[Neanderthal|Neanderthaloid]]" [[Race (human categorization)|race]], and pegged ''Homopithecus sinhaleyus'' as more primitive.<ref name=":0" /> Deraniyagala formulated the [[Ratnapura Culture]] to be a predecessor to the [[Balangoda Culture]]. Other human remains are known from the Ratnapura area.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kennedy |first1=Kenneth A. R. |last2=Deraniyagala |first2=Siran U. |last3=Roertgen |first3=William J. |last4=Chiment |first4=John |last5=Disotell |first5=Todd |date=1987 |title=Upper pleistocene fossil hominids from Sri Lanka |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajpa.1330720405 |journal=American Journal of Physical Anthropology |language=en |volume=72 |issue=4 |pages=441–461 |doi=10.1002/ajpa.1330720405 |issn=0002-9483|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Early research by Deraniyagala shows that he once preferred to assign the tooth to ''[[Pithecanthropus|Pithecanthropus sinhaleyus]]''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Deraniyagala |first=P. E. P. |date=1957 |title=The Races of the Stone Age and of the Ferrolithic of Ceylon |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/45377705 |journal=The Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=1–23 |jstor=45377705 |issn=0304-2235}}</ref> Later investigation by Seth (1993) discovered that the tooth of ''Homopithecus'' was likely a large [[ungulate]] or [[gaur]], and the crystal was not a tool;<ref>{{Cite book |last=Seth |first=S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8dnBVDUSIxsC&q=Balahapuva |title=New Perspectives in Anthropology |date=1993 |publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. |isbn=978-81-85880-19-8 |language=en}}</ref> the skull of ''Homo sinhaleyus'' was determined to be a young woman exhibiting [[dolichocephaly]] of unknown geological age and having attribution to ''[[Homo sapiens]]''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nimal Perera |first=Halawathage |url=https://www.fulcrum.org/concern/monographs/j96022686 |title=Prehistoric Sri Lanka: Late Pleistocene rockshelters and an open-air site: Late Pleistocene rockshelters and an open-air site |date=2010 |publisher=University of Michigan Press |isbn=978-1-4073-0683-4 |location=Ann Arbor, MI |language=en |doi=10.30861/9781407306834}}</ref>

=== Minor sites ===
The site of '''Mallapitiya''' contains fossils from the Kalu Ganga and [[Hangamu river|Hangamu rivers]] and supports a similar fauna to Balahapuva: three elephant molars and an incomplete limb, a [[Bovinae|bovine]] tooth, two fragmented hippopotamus limbs, and a fossilized ''[[Paludomus]]'' shell cast. The site of '''Bokirideniya''' preserves four hippopotamus molars, a tusk and a canine, various unidentified fossil material, and an elephant molar. The site of '''Kanukätiya''' preserves an ''[[Elephas maximus|Elephas maximus sinhaleyus]]'' molar, a ''Rhinoceros'' molar and a ''Hexaprotodon sinhaleyus'' molar. The site of '''Talagahakumbura''' preserves an ''E. m. sinhaleyus'' tarsal, a hippopotamus molar, a porcupine tooth, ''Rusa'' and elephant molars, and a hippopotamus incisor. The site of '''Dodampé''' preserves ''E. m. sinhaleyus'', ''[[Rhinoceros kagavena]]'', ''[[Rusa unicolor unicolor]]'', ''[[Gona sinhaleya]]'', ''[[Tatera sinhaleyus]]'', ''[[Muva sinhaleya]]'', and ''Hexaprotodon sinhaleyus''.<ref name=":0" />

== Places of worship ==
[[File:Maha Saman Devalaya.jpg|thumb|Ratnapura Maha Saman Devala premises]]
There are a number of places of worship in and around Ratnapura, including:

*'''[[Maha Saman Devalaya]]''' – a shrine dedicated to the god Saman. The god Saman is (a Buddhist [[deity]]) considered to be the guardian of Ratnapura. When the Portuguese captured Ratnapura, the ancient [[shrine]] that stood at this location was destroyed and a Portuguese church was constructed on top of it. When the [[Kingdom of Kandy|Kandyan kingdom]] recaptured Ratnapura, the Portuguese church was destroyed and the shrine was rebuilt. Although there is no direct evidence to support the existence of the old shrine, indirect evidence supports the existence of a shrine that looked like a Hindu [[temple]] at the current location before Portuguese times. Currently this shrine is a very important place for Buddhists.
* '''Saints Peter and Paul's Cathedral''' – The history of [[Catholics]] in Ratnapura begins with Portuguese rule in Ratnapura. Very few Catholics lived in the town in the 17th century. Many of them are the descendants of Portuguese and locals that they married. There is evidence to suggest that the Portuguese built a church on top of a destroyed Buddhist temple. That Portuguese church was destroyed when the Kandyan kingdom recaptured Ratnapura from the Portuguese. The current church was built in a different location along the main street of Ratnapura (inside the town). The Church building being used now is said to be inspired by [[Joseph Vaz|St. Joseph Vaz (Apostle of Ceylon)]] during the 17th century when he visited Ratnapura as a part of his apostolic mission to [[Sabaragamuwa Province|Sabaragamuwa]]. After Sabaragamuwa became a [[diocese]] on 2 November 1995 SS. Peter-Paul's Church was raised to the status of the [[Cathedral]] of the diocese.
* '''Pothgul Viharaya''' - Rathnapura Pothgul Rajamaha Viharaya (පොත්ගුල් විහාරය) is a picturesque cave temple built on top of a hill believed to be built by king Vatta Gamini Abhaya better known as king [[Valagamba of Anuradhapura|Walagamba]] (89-77 BC) in the 1st century. It had been renovated during the days of King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe (1747 – 1781) of the Kandy period. There are two temples belonging to these two periods within the Pothgul Viharaya.
* '''St. Luke's Church''' (Church of England)
* '''Siva Temple''' (Hindu)

=== Sri Pada (Adam's Peak) ===
{{main|Adam's Peak}}

Ratnapura is the starting point for the 'classic' or hard route up Adam's Peak, via the Gilimale and Carney Estates. The pilgrimage season starts on Poya (full moon) day in December and runs until the start of the south-west monsoon in April. It has been a pilgrimage centre for over 1,000 years. King [[Parakramabahu]] and King [[Nissanka Malla]] of Polonnaruwa provided [[ambalama]]s or 'resting places' for weary pilgrims along the mountain route. The other more popular route is through Dalhousie (pronounced 'Del-house') close to Dickoya.

=== Religion ===

Ratnapura DS Division has a [[Buddhism in Sri Lanka|Buddhist]] majority (78.17%) and a significant Hindu population (14.05%) .<ref>{{cite web|url = http://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/worldbank-srilanka/choropleth-example.html|title = Census of Population and Housing 2012|date = 2012|website = statistics.gov.lk|publisher = Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka}}</ref>

{{Pie chart |caption=Religion in Ratnapura<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.map.statistics.gov.lk/apps/wb/index.html |title=Sri Lanka Census Map |date=2012 |access-date=2023-01-28 |website=statistics.gov.lk |publisher=Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka}}</ref>
|thumb = none
|label1 = [[Buddhism in Sri Lanka|Buddhist]]
|value1 = 78.17
|color1 = #ffff00
|label2 = [[Hinduism in Sri Lanka|Hindu]]
|value2 = 14.05
|color2 = #ff8800
|label3 = [[Islam in Sri Lanka|Muslim]]
|value3 = 5.26
|color3 = #008800
|label4 = [[Christianity in Sri Lanka|Roman Catholic]]
|value4 = 1.51
|color4 = #8888ff
|label5 = [[Christianity in Sri Lanka|Other Christian]]
|value5 = 1.00
|color5 = #444488
|label6 = Other
|value6 = 0.01
|color6 = #ffffff
}}

== Education ==
Schools in Ratnapura include:
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* Convent of Infant Jesus
* Dharmapala Maha Vidyalaya
* [[Ferguson High School, Ratnapura|Ferguson High School]]
* St.John's Tamil National College,Rakwana
* Rathnaloka Central College,Rakwana
* Kalawana National School
* Malwala Navodya School
* Mihindu Vidyalaya
* Prince College, Ratnapura
* Ananda Maithreya Central College,Balangoda
* [[Sivali Central College]]
* [[St. Aloysius College (Ratnapura)|St. Aloysius College]]
* [[St. Luke's College, Ratnapura|St. Luke's College]]
* Sumana Balika Vidyalaya
* Sumana Central College
* Sumana Saman Maha Vidyalaya
* Sussex College
* Lyceum Ratnapura
* Ratnapura Tamil Maha Vidyalayam
*Sri Sumana Maha Vidyalaya. Ratnapura.
*Gallella Maha Vidyalaya.Gallella. Ratnapura.
*Siduhath Vidyalaya. Galaboda, Ratnapura.
{{div col end}}

== Attractions ==

===Waterfalls===
*'''[[Katugas Ella]]''' (කටුගස් ඇල්ල) – a {{convert|6|m|ft|adj=mid|-high}} waterfall, located at Mahawalawatta, {{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} away from Ratnapura.
*'''[[Kirindi Ella]]''' (කිරිඳි ඇල්ල) – a {{convert|116|m|ft|adj=mid|-high}} waterfall (the seventh highest in Sri Lanka), located {{convert|4|km|mi|abbr=on}} away from Ratnapura, on the Ratnapura – Pelmadulla road.
*'''[[Rajanawa Ella]]''' (රජනෑ ඇල්ල) – a {{convert|12|m|ft|adj=mid|-high}} waterfall located adjacent to the Ratnapura–[[Kalawana]] road, at the village of Marapana. The scenery around the waterfall has been captured in several [[Sinhalese people|Sinhala]] films.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

=== Gem mines ===
There are numerous gem mines located around the area, especially in paddy fields on lower ground. The mines are generally around {{convert|10|m|ft|abbr=on}} to {{convert|50|m|ft|abbr=on}} deep. Portable hand operating tools used for the mining process, include shovels, picks, pans (specially made from bamboo) and cradles. Once the soil is extracted from the mine, water is used to wash the dirt and mud away using pans and any [[gemstone]]s, which heavier than normal stones, will remain at the bottom of the pan.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Wikivoyage}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070513050552/http://www.statistics.gov.lk/census2001/population/ds_div/t001b.htm Statistics of 2001 Census of Sri Lanka]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070610121104/http://www.statistics.gov.lk/census2001/five_per/ratnapura.pdf#search='ratnapura': Statistics of 2001 Census of Sri Lanka]

{{Largest Sri Lankan cities}}
{{Municipalities and Urban areas of Sri Lanka}}
{{Provincial capitals of Sri Lanka}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ratnapura| ]]
[[Category:Provincial capitals in Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Jewellery districts]]
[[Category:Populated places in Sabaragamuwa Province]]

Ratnapura - Revision history

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