Monaragala

Monaragala
මොණරාගල
திருமயில்கல்மலை
Monaragala
Coordinates: 6°52′21″N 81°20′14″E / 6.872575°N 81.33728°E / 6.872575; 81.33728
CountrySri Lanka
ProvinceUva Province
DistrictMonaragala
Elevation
151 m (495 ft)
Population
 (2012)
  Total
10,123
Time zoneUTC+05:30 (SLT)

Monaragala (Sinhala: මොනරාගල, romanized: Monarāgala; Tamil: மொணராகலை, romanized: Moṇarākalai) is a town located in Monaragala District, Uva Province, Sri Lanka. It is the largest town and the capital of Monaragala District and is located 57.3 km (35.6 mi) southeast of Badulla, the capital city of Uva Province. Monaragala is situated about 151 m (495 ft) above sea level on the Colombo-Batticaloa main road.

Close to Moneragala, the rock temple Moneragala Rajamaha Viharaya, also named Mayuragiri Len Viharaya, consisting of various caves with wall paintings and statues. In Maligavila one of the tallest Buddha statues of Sri Lanka can be located. Monaragala is a Sinhalese stronghold in the island.Ethnic composition in Monaragala DS Division according to 2012 census is as follows Sihalese-42,779-86.39%,Tamils-6,323-12.77%,Muslims-341-0.69%,Others-77-0.16%.