 Meandering along Matale
by Nilma Dole
Passing Matale from Kandy to
Dambulla, many don’t realise what a beautiful township it can be even if
it means stopping over for some tea. Besides being residential, it is
also rich in history and the administrative capital of the Matale
District. Matale is a town 142 kilometres (90 miles) from Colombo and 26
kilometres (17 miles) from Kandy.
The Matale administrative district is home to the historical Sigiriya
Lion’s Rock, the Aluvihare Temple and the Dambulla Cave Temple. Around
the town are the stunning Knuckles mountain foothills called Wiltshire.
This area is primarily an agricultural area, where tea, rubber,
vegetable and spice cultivations dominate the Knuckles Mountain Range is
the unique landmark of Matale.
 On the north side of the township, the Aluvihare Temple shines in its
historical glory. This is the epic location in which the Pali Canon was
first scripted finely into text on ola (palm) leaves. Situated near
Aluvihare are different monastery caves which exhibit Sri Lanka’s finest
frescoes. Aluvihare is a rock monastery on the Kandy-Dambulla highway
which was established during the first century and situated between
rocks.
Matale was at the centre of a vital battle in 1848 when the Matale
Rebellion began when the British garrison in Fort Macdowall, Matale was
brought under siege by the rebels.
Christ Church, Matale was consecrated by Bishop James Chapman on
December 30, 1860. The church site selected was Fort McDowall,
overlooking the view to Matale via Trincomalee.
The church having been furnished, the Revd. William Frederick Kelly,
Minister and Chaplain in Matale, and 36 others sent their petition to
the Rt. Revd. James Chapman, D.D., to dedicate and consecrate the Christ
Church. The Parsonage was opened on August 16, 1862. The 75th
Anniversary was celebrated in 1935.
The centenary was celebrated on January 28 and 29, 1961. The 125th
Anniversary was celebrated on September 6, 1986. The church was gutted
by fire in 1985 and was completely restored. Services were held in the
Baptist Church in the interim period.
On June 22, 1911, there was a special service held in this church in
connection with the Coronation of their Majesty King George V, and Queen
Mary. The offertory on that was given to King Edward VIII. Anti
Tuberculosis Fund. (Ref. Ceylon Churchman Report for the year ending
June 20, 1911). The 150th Anniversary will be held this year and the
mayor of Matale is Hilmy Careem, as of May, 2006. |
