Bandarawela

Bandarawela (Sinhala: බණ්ඩාරවෙල, pronounced [banˈda:rawela]; Tamil: பண்டாரவளை) is the second largest town in the Badulla District which is 28 km (17 mi) away from Badulla. Bandarawela is 200 km (120 mi) away from Colombo and about 125 km (78 mi) away from Kandy, the two largest cities of Sri Lanka. Thanks to its higher altitude, compared to surrounding locations, Bandarawela has milder weather conditions throughout the year making it a tourist destination for locals. Bandarawela is within hours reach of surrounding towns and cities by both road and rail. The town is influenced by its colonial history and rests among dense, lush forestation occupying a niche among visitors as a base for tourism.

The town is governed by a municipal council and headed by a mayor. The council is elected by popular vote and has nine members. There were 16,673 registered voters in the 2011 local authorities elections.

The area outside the municipality is governed by the "Pradeshiya Saba" which is similar to the urban council. The Pradeshiya Saba is elected by popular vote and has 10 members. In the 2006 local authorities election there were 37,972 registered voters.

Evidence of Human settlement has been found in Bandarawela dating back to 7500 years ago.Geometric microliths made out of quartz and chert have been found at the Church-hill prehistoric site, near the Church of the ascension Bandarawela.

The ancient Dhowa Rock Temple was founded by King Walagamba in the first century B.C.E. (1 B.C.E.) and is located beside Badulla-Bandarawela highway, 6 km (3.7 mi) from Bandarawela. The temple contains a 12 m (39 ft)-high Buddha image sculpted from rock and paintings depicting Jataka stories belonging to the Kandyan era.The ancient Dhowa Buddhist rock temple is one of the well-known heritage sites in this region. Other historic areas of interest include the Roman Catholic St. Anthony's Church and a local Methodist church.

Bandarawela is located at a high altitude and surrounded by a large number of mountains in Uva and the Central Province. The highest Mountain in the local area is Nayabedda peak, which lies 6,375 ft (1,943 m)above mean sea.

According to the local climatic zone classifications, Bandarawela is classified under Up Country Intermediate Zone (UCIZ) which is spread over the Badulla and Monaragala Districts. The average elevation above sea level at Bandarawela is 4,242 ft (1,293 m). The elevation of Bandarawela ranges between 3,110 ft (950 m) and 6,375 ft (1,943 m), the annual average rainfall is 1,652 mm (65.0 in) and the monthly average temperature is between 18.9 °C (66.0 °F) (in January) and 22.4 °C (72.3 °F) (in May). The average annual temperature in Bandarawela is 21.0 °C (69.8 °F). The Bandarawela area consists mainly of red yellow Podzolic soil, which is strongly acidic and favourable for tea plantations. The Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies its climate as Tropical rainforest (Af) bordering with a subtropical highland (Cfb) climate at Haputale.

Bandarawela is a Sinhala-majority town. There are sizable communities belonging to other ethnic groups such as Indian Tamils, Sri Lanka Moors and Sri Lanka Tamils.The peripheral areas are generally Sinhala majority neighbourhoods, estate regions (such as Liyangahawela and Nayabedda), have an Indian Tamil majority. The urban areas of Bandarawela East and West are ethnically diverse, with small Malay and Burgher communities.