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Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, city and legislative capital of Sri Lanka. It is located in the southwestern part of the country, about 5 miles (8 km) southeast of the commercial capital of Colombo, of which it was once a suburb. An urban council governs Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte and the neighbouring town of Nugegoda.
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, commonly referred to as Kotte, has a long and storied history dating back to the 14th century. It was originally established as the capital of the Kingdom of Kotte by King Nissanka Alagakkonara, a local ruler who fortified the city with impressive ramparts and moats.
Despite the city's urban character, it contains a number of rice paddies and plantations. As Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, it was the capital of the Sinhalese kingdom of Kotte from 1415 to 1565, largely owing to the lagoons, rivers, and swamps that still encircle it and provide a natural defense.
For travelers interested in both history and modernity, Kotte (as it's commonly known) provides a fascinating contrast to the hectic streets of Colombo while still being closely connected to it. Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is located approximately 10 kilometers southeast of Colombo, making it easily accessible for visitors based in the larger city.
There are 20 Members of the Municipal Council (MMCs), elected on proportional representation. There are 18 wards, but these are now merely polling divisions, without individual representation. Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious urban centre.
The Kotte Urban Council became the Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte Municipal Council in 1997, with Chandra Silva as the first Mayor. There are 20 Members of the Municipal Council (MMCs), elected on proportional representation. There are 18 wards, but these are now merely polling divisions, without individual representation.
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, in Sri Lanka's Western Province, is about 8 km southeast of Colombo. Surrounded by the scenic Diyawanna Oya Lake, it offers a peaceful escape from city life. Kotte has a tropical climate with warm weather and seasonal rain throughout the year. The city is well-planned, combining modern buildings with green spaces.
In 1391, following the conquest of the Kingdom of Jaffna by Prince Sapumal (Sembahap Perumal), Kotte was given the epithet 'Sri Jayawardenepura' ('resplendent city of growing victory'). It became the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Kotte, which it remained until the end of the 16th century.