Where is Ratnapura Located? What Country is Ratnapura in? Ratnapura Map

Where is Ratnapura Located?

Ratnapura is the capital of Sabaragamuwa Province, about 100 km from Colombo. It is located in the Kalu Ganga valley in a tropical mountain landscape.

Literally translated, Ratnapura means the “city of jewels”, which has to do with its wealth of precious stones, which has been known for more than 2000 years. Already the Greeks, Arabs and Chinese benefited from this wealth, today many Thais live in the area around Ratnapura apart from the locals from the jewelry trade. Because to this day, the city is the most important Center for precious stones in all of Sri Lanka, mainly rubies, sapphires and cat’s eyes are mined.

What Country is Ratnapura in?

The whole city is full of jewelry shops and gem sellers, among which some unfortunately also sell cheap imitations. Whether a stone is valuable or not, the untrained eye can hardly make out, which is why caution is advised when acquiring it.

If you prefer to find out more, you can visit impressive gemstones such as sapphires, tourmalines, rubies, emeralds and amethysts in the Gem Bank with its Gemmological Museum. In addition, the visitor receives information on the prospecting and processing of the stones. Detailed background knowledge is also available in the National Museum of Ratnapura near the bus station.

The history of gem extraction is explained here, as well as various finds from the area are exhibited. But even those who do not go to the Museum will encounter gems throughout the city. For example, in the gemstone mines around Ratnapura you can observe workers on the physically very strenuous search for the precious stones.

If you are tired of precious stones, you can see the remains of the English fort of Ratnapura. From here you have a wonderful view, for example you can see the Holy Mountain Sri Lanka – Adams Peak. Just outside the city is the Maha Saman Devale temple, which is the destination of Hindu and Buddhist believers. In the full moon in July/August, a festival of several days, called Perahera, takes place here every year in an impressive way.

Ratnapura Map

What is Ratnapura famous for?

How far is Kandy from Ratnapura?

What are the districts in Sabaragamuwa Province?

What gems is Sri Lanka famous for?

Who is the first woman prime?

How populous is Ratnapura?
What gemstones are found in Sri Lanka?