This is the capital of Sabaragamu province and it is known as the gem capital of Sri Lanka.
The name Rathnapura means city of gems and It is a world renowned as a center of a well-established industry of precious stone mining including rubies, sapphires, and other gems and it is famous for producing the giant 104 carat royal blue Stuart sapphire that sits on top of the queen’s crown.
Ratnapura is also known for its rubber and tea plantations. Tea in these areas are Low country tea because of the low altitude in which the tea grows in unlike the up country. But even with these thriving industries present, gem trade is still the main source of income.
Rathnapura was blessed to host the first few monks who came from Bodh Gaya to Sri Lanka and because of that Sanskrit and other languages were prevalent at that time. And the word ‘rathnapura’ actually comes from Sanskrit and this is also an important place for Buddhists because of the rich Buddhist culture in this here.
Ratnapura being in the tropical rain forest region of Sri lank is also well known for its natural beauty with waterfalls all over the place and it is blessed by Mother Nature with the gift exquisite gems and other precious stones.
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This shrine dedicated to god Sumana Saman who is the guardian god of Sabaragmu Province. September is the festival month of this Devala so be sure to visit this site during that time of the year to witness the procession, parading and praying.
Temple is situated on a rock. There are many caves with writings the walls and carvings which dates back to the 2nd century BC. It is said that the Giant Pussadeva who was a leader in King Dutugemunu's Army used to live here.
It’s an interesting museum exclusively for gems. Its filled with important historic gems and mining tools and tons of information. And if you’re interested, you can shop for gems in its in-house shop.
It is a 19th-century government building housing a small collection of natural history and cultural exhibits like Gem jewelry, and mask collections stand out. Paths lead through surrounding parklands with life-size statues of prehistoric wildlife.
It is a beautiful waterfall. You can enjoy it up-close with a small hike or witness if from afar from the observation deck. It’s a great place to take a breath and just relax and have a picnic.