Galle (Sinhala: ගාල්ල, romanized: Gālla; Tamil: காலி, romanized: Kāli ) is a major city on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, 119 km (74 mi) south of Colombo. Galle is the provincial capital and largest city of Southern Province, Sri Lanka and is the capital of Galle District.
Galle was known as Gimhathiththa before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, when it was the main port on the island. Ibn Batuta, a Moroccan Berber Muslim traveller in the 14th century, referred to it as Qali. Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, during the Dutch colonial period. Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by the Portuguese in South and Southeast Asia, showing the interaction between Portuguese architectural styles and native traditions. The city was extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. The Galle fort is a World Heritage Site and is the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers.
Other prominent landmarks in Galle include the city's natural harbour, the National Maritime Museum, St. Mary's Cathedral founded by Jesuit priests, one of the main Shiva temples on the island, and Amangalla, the historic luxury hotel. On 26 December 2004, the city was devastated by the massive tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, which occurred off the coast of Indonesia a thousand miles away. Thousands were killed in the city alone. Galle is home to the Galle International Stadium, which is considered to be one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world. The ground, which was severely damaged by the tsunami, was rebuilt and test matches resumed there on 18 December 2007.
Important natural geographical features in Galle include Rumassala in Unawatuna, a large mound-like hill that forms the eastern protective barrier to Galle Harbour. Local tradition associates this hill with some events of Ramayana, one of the great Hindu epics. The major river in the area is the Gin Ganga, which begins from Gongala Kanda, passes villages such as Neluwa, Nagoda, Baddegama, Thelikada and Wakwella, and reaches the sea at Gintota. The river is bridged at Wakwella by the Wakwella Bridge.
While most visitors linger inside Galle Fort’s tidy streets, a short stroll past the walls reveals a quieter side of the town. The narrow lane that leads to the former Dutch Hospital now houses sleek cafés where locals sip freshly brewed Ceylon tea beside artisans carving wooden masks. Further along, the tidal flats of the Dutch Bay give a fleeting glimpse of mangrove‑lined creeks teeming with mud‑skippers. Arriving on foot at low tide lets you wade through shallow pools and watch fishermen mending nets, a practice unchanged for generations. These peripheral spaces are where the city’s layered history feels lived rather than displayed.
Seasonal rhythm of the sea
Galle’s coastal climate follows a subtle swing between the southwest monsoon (May to September) and the northeast monsoon (December to February). The latter brings calmer seas, making it the preferred window for whale‑watching off Mirissa and for paddling the gentle surf at Unawatuna. Conversely, the southwest rains cloak the cliffs in mist, intensifying the scent of incense from the nearby Peace Pagoda and giving the tea plantations inland a vibrant emerald hue. Planning a trip around these micro‑seasonal shifts can turn a simple beach day into a nuanced encounter with the city’s maritime pulse.
Local flavour beyond the spice racks
Tourist menus often highlight fried fish and coconut sambol, but the real culinary dialogue happens in the bustling fish market opposite the railway station. Here, vendors trade in the day’s catch—mackerel, kingfish, and the occasional stingray—while a nearby stall crushes fresh red chilies into a fiery paste that locals dollop onto rice for breakfast. Sampling this paste with a sliced banana leaf offers a texture contrast that no restaurant can reproduce. Engaging with stall owners, many of whom speak a blend of Sinhala and Tamil, adds a personal narrative to the flavours that have sustained Galle’s waterfront for centuries.
Introduction
City in the Southern Province, Sri Lanka
For other uses, see Galle (disambiguation).
City in Southern Province, Sri LankaGalle
ගාල්ල (Sinhala)காலி (Tamil)CityCity of GalleAerial view of Galle FortGalle International StadiumGalle railway stationUnawatuna beachPeace Pagoda in GalleMaritime Museum of GalleRumassalaGalleCoordinates: 06°01′58″N 80°12′56″E / 6.03278°N 80.21556°E / 6.03278; 80.21556CountrySri LankaProvinceSouthern ProvinceGovernment • TypeGalle Municipal Council • MayorPriyantha G. Sahabandu • HeadquartersGalle Town HallArea • Total16.52 km2 (6.38 sq mi)Elevation0 m (0 ft)Population (2022) • Total112,252 • Density5,712/km2 (14,790/sq mi)DemonymGalleansTime zoneUTC+5:30 (Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone)Postal code80000Area code091Websitegalle.mc.gov.lk
Old Town of Galle and its FortificationsUNESCO World Heritage SiteInteractive map of Old Town of Galle and its FortificationsCriteriaCultural: ivReference451Inscription1988 (12th Session)
Galle (Sinhala: ගාල්ල, romanized: Gālla; Tamil: காலி, romanized: Kāli ) is a major city on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, 119 km (74 mi) south of Colombo. Galle is the provincial capital and largest city of Southern Province, Sri Lanka and is the capital of Galle District.
Galle was known as Gimhathiththa before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, when it was the main port on the island. Ibn Batuta, a Moroccan Berber Muslim traveller in the 14th century, referred to it as Qali. Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, during the Dutch colonial period. Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by the Portuguese in South and Southeast Asia, showing the interaction between Portuguese architectural styles and native traditions. The city was extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. The Galle fort is a World Heritage Site and is the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers.
Other prominent landmarks in Galle include the city's natural harbour, the National Maritime Museum, St. Mary's Cathedral founded by Jesuit priests, one of the main Shiva temples on the island, and Amangalla, the historic luxury hotel. On 26 December 2004, the city was devastated by the massive tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, which occurred off the coast of Indonesia a thousand miles away. Thousands were killed in the city alone. Galle is home to the Galle International Stadium, which is considered to be one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world. The ground, which was severely damaged by the tsunami, was rebuilt and test matches resumed there on 18 December 2007.
Important natural geographical features in Galle include Rumassala in Unawatuna, a large mound-like hill that forms the eastern protective barrier to Galle Harbour. Local tradition associates this hill with some events of Ramayana, one of the great Hindu epics. The major river in the area is the Gin Ganga, which begins from Gongala Kanda, passes villages such as Neluwa, Nagoda, Baddegama, Thelikada and Wakwella, and reaches the sea at Gintota. The river is bridged at Wakwella by the Wakwella Bridge.
Etymology
[edit]
Galle was known as Gimhathitha in ancient times. The term is believed to be derived from the classical Sinhalese term meaning "port near the River Gin". It is believed that the town got its name as Gaalla in the native tongue as a result of the large number of bullock carts that took shelter in the area, following the long slow journeys from remote areas of the island. Gaala in Sinhala means the place where cattle are herded together; hence the Sinhalese name for Galle, ගාල්ල, is a development from Gaala. Another theory is that the word Galle is derived from the Latin word gallus or the Portuguese word galo, which mean 'rooster'.[citation needed] The Dutch used the rooster as a symbol of Galle.
History
[edit]
According to James Emerson Tennent (Colonial Secretary of Ceylon) Galle was the ancient seaport of Tarshish, from which King Solomon drew ivory, peacocks and other valuables. Cinnamon was exported from Sri Lanka as early as 1400 BC, and as the root of the word itself is Hebrew, Galle may have been a main entrepôt for the spice.
Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, 1868
The port of Galle in 1754
Ancient Greek and Roman geographers may have known about Galle, which they might have called the Cape of Birds. Ptolemy might also have known about the port which he referred to as Odoka. Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta visited Galle (or Qali as he called it) in 1342. During the 12th and 13th centuries, Sinhalese refugees fleeing Tamil armies from the north began to settle in Galle and other nearby areas.
Galle had been a prominent seaport long before western rule in the country: Persians, Arabs, Greeks, Romans, Malays, Indians, and Chinese were doing business through Galle's port. In 1411, the Galle Trilingual Inscription, a stone tablet inscription in three languages, Chinese, Tamil and Persian, was erected in Galle to commemorate the second visit to Ceylon by the Chinese admiral Zheng He. In 1502, a small fleet of Portuguese ships, under the command of Lourenço de Almeida on their way to the Maldives, were blown off course by a storm. Realising that the King resided in Kotte close to Colombo, Lourenço proceeded there after a brief stop in Galle.
In 1640, the Portuguese were forced to surrender to the Dutch East India Company. The Dutch built the present fort in 1663. They built a fortified solid granite wall and three bastions, known as "Sun", "Moon" and "Star".
After the British took over the country from the Dutch in 1796, they preserved the fort unchanged and used it as the administrative centre of the district.
Climate
[edit]
Galle features a tropical rainforest climate. The city has no true dry season, though it is noticeably drier in the months of January and February. As is commonplace with many cities with this type of climate, temperatures show little variation throughout the course of the year, with average temperatures hovering at around 27 °C (81 °F) throughout.
Climate data for Galle (1991–2020 normals)
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year
Record high °C (°F)
34.9(94.8)
34.6(94.3)
36.4(97.5)
35.5(95.9)
35.3(95.5)
32.6(90.7)
31.5(88.7)
31.3(88.3)
31.2(88.2)
33.2(91.8)
33.8(92.8)
33.5(92.3)
36.4(97.5)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)
29.9(85.8)
30.7(87.3)
31.6(88.9)
31.4(88.5)
30.4(86.7)
29.4(84.9)
29.0(84.2)
29.0(84.2)
29.2(84.6)
29.4(84.9)
29.9(85.8)
29.9(85.8)
30.0(86.0)
Daily mean °C (°F)
26.7(80.1)
27.2(81.0)
28.1(82.6)
28.4(83.1)
28.2(82.8)
27.5(81.5)
27.1(80.8)
27.2(81.0)
27.2(81.0)
27.1(80.8)
27.1(80.8)
26.8(80.2)
27.4(81.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)
23.4(74.1)
23.7(74.7)
24.6(76.3)
25.3(77.5)
26.0(78.8)
25.7(78.3)
25.4(77.7)
25.4(77.7)
25.2(77.4)
24.8(76.6)
24.2(75.6)
23.7(74.7)
24.8(76.6)
Record low °C (°F)
18.7(65.7)
19.4(66.9)
17.1(62.8)
18.2(64.8)
17.1(62.8)
20.7(69.3)
20.9(69.6)
20.9(69.6)
20.4(68.7)
20.7(69.3)
18.1(64.6)
18.9(66.0)
17.1(62.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches)
86.8(3.42)
71.1(2.80)
89.9(3.54)
201.9(7.95)
315.9(12.44)
184.0(7.24)
172.6(6.80)
161.9(6.37)
260.9(10.27)
344.5(13.56)
282.6(11.13)
175.9(6.93)
2,348(92.44)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)
6.6
5.8
6.9
11.8
17.2
16.6
15.1
14.2
17.1
18.2
14.9
11.2
155.7
Source 1: NOAA
Source 2: Department of Meteorology (records up to 2007)
[edit]
The Galle Municipal Council governs the City of Galle, established under the Municipalities Ordinance of 1865. It was at the time, only the third municipal council in the country. The first mayor of the city, Wijeyananda Dahanayake, was appointed in 1939; he later became the fifth Prime Minister of Ceylon.
The last appointed mayor was Methsiri De Silva, who served from 2009 to 2016. The mayoral system has been dissolved the Galle administration, with the city presently administered by a commissioner. The main vision of the city is "Building of moderate city through the supply of relatively increased utility services to the citizens who pay taxes to the Galle Municipal Council". The other vision is to brand Galle as "Green City-Green Galle" to create and promote Galle as one of Sri Lanka's cool and healthy coastal cities with a clean green canopy.
Demographics
[edit]
Galle is a sizeable city by Sri Lankan standards, and has a population of 101,749, the majority of whom are of Sinhalese ethnicity, with a large population of Sri Lankan Moor (Muslims), particularly in the fort area, who descend from Arab merchants that settled in the ancient port of Galle and married Sinhalese women. Galle is also notable for its foreign population, both residents and owners of holiday homes. Religious composition in Galle DS division according to 2024 census is as follows Buddhist-67502-62.31%,Islam-39021 -36.02%,Roman Catholic-774-0.71%,Hindu-661-0.61%,Other Christian-355-0.31%,Others-20-0.02%.
Ethnicity in Galle (2024)
Population
Percent
Sinhalese
 
63.02%
Muslims
 
36.01%
Tamils
 
0.91%
Others
 
0.09%
Government Statistics.lk
Education
[edit]
Schools[edit]
Main article: List of schools in Sri Lanka
Galle is home to some of the oldest leading schools in Sri Lanka, with twenty-nine government schools and five international schools constituting the city's educational system. Some of the schools located in Galle city are listed below.
School
Date of establishment
All Saints College
1867
Anula Devi Balika Vidyalaya
1941
British College Sri Lanka
1900
Buona Vista College
1888
Ceylinco Sussex College
1997
Galle International College
2011
Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya
2007
Kingston International School
1900
Leeds International School
2007
Mahinda College
1892
Malharus Sulhiya National College
1918
Muslim Ladies College
2001
Olcott Maha Vidyalaya Galle
1937
Richmond College
1876
Rippon Girls' College
1817
Sacred Heart Convent
1896
St. Aloysius' College
1895
Sanghamitta Girls College
1919
Siridhamma College
1995
Sudharma College
1895
Southlands College Galle
1885
Thomas Gall International School
2006
Upananda College
1909
Vidyaloka College
1941
Universities[edit]
Faculty of Engineering, Galle
Three main faculties of the University of Ruhuna are located in Galle. The Faculty of Engineering is located at Hapugala, about 6 km from the city center. The Faculty of Medicine is located at Karapitiya near the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital. The Faculty of Allied Health Sciences of the University of Ruhuna is located in Uluwitike, in the city limits. A study centre of the Open University of Sri Lanka is also located in Galle, at Labuduwa junction.
Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna
Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna
Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Ruhuna
Study Centre, Open University of Sri Lanka
Higher education institutes[edit]
Advanced Technological Institute, Labuduwa
NIBM, Galle
The Advanced Technological Institute in Labuduwa, Galle was started in 2000, and it planned to offer Higher National Diploma in Information Technology and Higher National Diploma in Agriculture Technology – HNDT (Agri). Since then, Labuduwa ATI has been a pioneer in technological education in Sri Lanka. The National Institute of Business Management in Galle was established in 2010 to provide higher education opportunities in the fields of information technology and business management. The Ruhunu National College of Education, operated under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, trains teachers training for government schools in Kurunduwatta, Galle. Additionally, the Amarasuriya Teachers' Training College for government school teachers is in Unawatuna, Galle.
Advanced Technological Institute (ATI)
National Institute of Business Management (NIBM)
Ruhunu National College of Education
Amarasuriya Teachers' Training College
Mercantile Seamen Training Institute (MSTI)
Transport
[edit]
Southern Expressway
Galle Railway Station
Galle is served by Sri Lanka Railways' Coastal Line and is connected by rail to Colombo and Matara. Galle Railway Station is a major station on the line and serves as the meeting point of the west- and south-coast segments of the line. The A2 highway, which is commonly known as the Galle Road, runs through the city and connects Galle to Colombo by the west-coast portion, and to Hambanthota by the south-coast portion.
The Southern Expressway, Sri Lanka's first E Class highway, links the Sri Lankan capital Colombo with Galle and currently reduces the time spent for travel to one hour from the three hours taken by the regular A2 highway.
