The place located 43 km from Colombo is important spice trading centre from Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial times. The city also named as one of the sacred city of Buddhist people in the country has large hollow Dagoba (Buddhist shrine) near the River Kalu. Coordinates: 6°35′13″N 79°57′37″E Province Western Province Government • Type Urban Council Population • Total 39,700 Time zone Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone (UTC+5:30) • Summer (DST) Summer time (UTC+6)