Beliatta
Beliatta is a town located in the Hambantota District of Sri Lanka. It is inland town, approximately, 7 km (4.3 mi) from the coastal town of Tangalle. Beliatta has the second highest mountain range located in the Beliatta Divisional Secretariat area (also called Raga) on the boundary of Hambantota & Matara districts. The mountain peaks at about 239 m (784 ft) high. Beliatta town is fed by fountain water originating from Rilagala mountain range.
Beliatta | |
|---|---|
Town | |
  Beliatta Location in Sri Lanka | |
| Coordinates: 06°02′00″N 80°45′00″E | |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Province | Southern Province |
| District | Hambantota District |
| Divisional Secretariat | Beliatta Divisional Secretariat |
| Time zone | +5.30 |
Apart from Tangalle, the nearest towns from Beliatta are Ambalantota (37 km), Walasmulla (14 km) and Matara (33 km).
The population of Beliatta is almost entirely Sinhalese (more than 99%), with the rest being Tamils.
Buddhism is the main religion, with Beliatta Siri Sunanda Temple established as the main Buddhist temple in the town. The temple is located on Tangalle Road.
Beliatta is famous for the production of coconuts, paddy, pepper and cinnamon.
Education
The main educational institutions in Beliatta include Beliatta Central College, Dammapala Girls' School, Beliatta Technical college and Pagngnananda Primary School.
Beliatta Central College is the largest and best known school in Beliatta. It is located on Walasmulla road about 0.5 km from Beliatta town. In 1994, the college was converted from a mixed-gender school to a boys-only school. However in 2014, the decision was reversed and the college was re-established as a mixed-gender school.
Dammapala Girls' School is located on Tangalle road in Puwakdandawa about 1.5 km from Beliatta town. The school was initially established as a mixed-gender school but was later changed to a girls-only school.
Beliatta Technical college is a tertiary institution and was one of the pioneers of the Technical College concept in Beliatta. The technical college is located on Tangalle road about 0.5 km from Beliatta town. It offers various courses and has a large number of students graduating each year.
Banks
The main Government commercial banks available in the town are People's Bank & Bank of Ceylon. The other banks include:
- Bank of Ceylon
- Peoples Bank
- Seylan Bank
- Sampath Bank Plc
- Commercial Bank of Ceylon Plc
- DFCC Bank
- National Saving Bank (NSB)
- Cooperative Rural Bank
- Regional Development Bank
- Hambantota District Capital Cooperative Bank(HDC co-op Bank)
Transport
The Beliatta railway station, which opened on 8 April 2019, serves as the current southernmost terminus of the Coastal Line. The total length of the railway station is 300 m (980 ft) and consists of three platforms.