Moratuwa: Coastal Route, Church History and Waterscapes

When looking for a hotel in Moratuwa, it helps to start with a clear idea of what interests you about the destination. The place’s defining features range from a coastal railway line to the history of the Anglican Church, as well as a lagoon and a lake with different significance. This makes it possible to understand Moratuwa geographically, historically or in terms of its waterscapes.

Moratuwa along the coastal route

The coastal railway line from Colombo to Matara runs along the coast through Moratuwa. Colombo and Matara are the endpoints of the route described; Moratuwa lies along its coastal stretch. This is a concrete geographical reference when comparing different destinations by their location on the coast. At the same time, this perspective differs from the other Moratuwa themes: the railway is about a route between two places, while the church and bodies of water are historical and landscape-related points of interest within the destination. If you first consider a destination’s wider coastal location when choosing where to go, the railway line provides a tangible reference point.

Anglican church history

The history of the Anglican Church in Moratuwa dates back to 1799. An older Dutch building stood from 1675 for 140 years on the grounds of the present-day general cemetery behind Holy Emmanuel Church and was also used as a school. From 1799, church services were held in this building; in 1815, it was demolished and replaced by the first Anglican church in Moratuwa. The first Anglican church was built under the patronage of Governor Sir Robert Brownrigg with funds from the government and the congregation, and was known as “Brownrigg Palliya.” The name “Brownrigg Palliya” refers to the first Anglican church; the older Dutch building should be distinguished as its predecessor. From the beginnings of the Anglican Church in Moratuwa, services and all other activities were conducted in Sinhala.

Lunawa Lagoon and Bolgoda Lake

The two bodies of water can also be considered separately. Lunawa Lagoon is a natural ecosystem in the center of Moratuwa. Bolgoda Lake, by contrast, is associated with specific activities: it is used for swimming, fishing and boating. This distinction is useful when choosing a destination, because a natural environment and recreational activities answer different questions. If you are considering Moratuwa for its landscape, the lagoon is a point of reference for its ecosystem; if you are interested in activities on the lake, the uses mentioned for Bolgoda Lake offer a more specific guide. If you plan to take part in any of these activities, check current access in advance.

To form your own impression, you can distinguish these themes by their function: the railway route provides a geographical reference, the church history tells a story of change over time, and the bodies of water represent, respectively, a natural ecosystem and specific activities. This comparison makes it easier to choose the focus that makes a trip to Moratuwa especially interesting to you.

Discover more destinations: Kaduwela, Jambugasmulla, Brahmanagama, Avissawella, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Koswatta, Piliyandala, Hekitta.

Back to the main travel overview: Colombo.