Matara is a city on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, about 160km from Colombo. Tourists from all over the world is attracted to the scenic beauty of Matara with it’s lush paddy fields, verdant tea estates and fragrant spice plantations. The Nilwala river which flows through the sea fertilizes the area. The River and the sea sustains a thriving fishing industry as well. It also boasts of golden sandy beaches ideal for sun worshippers. 

Today, Matara is a bustling modern city tall buildings and modern amenities. There are a lot of business activities with many reputed companies from Colombo having their branches in the city. The newly built modern bus terminal facing the sea beach provides a lot of facilities for the passengers who come in and out of the city with state as well as private transport. Matara is also the final destination in the Coastal Railway line although projects are in the pipeline to extend it to Kataragama.

In the past it was know as “Mahathota” meaning “Great Ferry” which went across the Nilwala River. During the Dutch Administration Matara was the largest of their four administrative areas. It spread from Kotte to the Walawe Ganga according to a deed given by King Dharmapala to the Dutch.

One of the most interesting sites in Matara is the star shaped fort predictably named as the “Star Fort”. It was built by the Dutch during their rule and completed in 1756. The roof of this building was paved with cadjan, later the cadjan roof was replaced with tiles made of clay.This fort becomes historically important for there is another Fort built during the rule of the Dutch. Maintenance of its originality by the successive governments makes anyone to understand the history of Matara even without referring to books. The letters marked VOC on the arch of the entrance to the Star Fort is a name of a company which is written in Dutch language as follows: " vercenigde ostindenche compagne ". This means United Eastern Trading Company. This was constructed by the Governor Redout Van Eat. The year engraved in the badge is 1765. The following wordings in Dutch language can be seen under the badge. Today it is converted into a Museum displaying artifacts from the Dutch era.

Matara has a sea frontage, which gives the city gives a glamorous look with a beach which extends to about ½ km. When compared to other beaches this beach is full of various kinds of trees giving a shaded walkway. The river Nilwala runs through the city and joins the sea at Totamuna, also  part of the city. The Crow Island is a small island facing the beach and it is a spectacular sight with its greenery filled with trees.

Polhena is a sea bathing spot situated in the city limits of Matara. It is encircled by a reef, which provides protection, because the water level within this area is shallow. There is a natural reef with lots of corals and a rich collection of flora and fauna. There are Hotels, which cater to the local as well as the foreign tourist providing facilities for beach vacation around this area and as well as Matara. The sea is inviting, and the beaches extensive, wide and unpolluted. It is an ideal place for fishing, diving, and sea sports.