Kalutra

Kalutara also called as Kalutota is a resort town in Western Province of Sri Lanka. It is the third largest urban area in Western Province after Colombo and Negombo. Kalutra is located approximately 40 km south of the capital Colombo.

Getting to Kalutra

There are several buses coming to Kalutra regularly, for train enthusiasts there is also a train from Colombo and Galle. In case of private transfer the cars and van transfer is available from Katnayke airport to Kalutra and Colombo to Kalutra.

Airport - Kalutra US$ 74.00 per car (2-3 people) Book now
Airport - Kalutra US$ 94.00 per van (6 people) Book now

The Southern Expressway, Sri Lanka's first E Class highway also links the Sri Lankan capital Colombo with Galle.

Hotels in Kalutra

Etymology of word Kalutra

Once an important spice-trading center, the town's name is derived from the Kalu Ganga River ('Black River' in native Sinhala). In the 11th Century, the town was temporarily made a capital on the orders of a South Indian Prince. The region was later planted with coconut trees, whose by-products are used for both internal and external trade. The location also boast fortifications dating back from the times when Portuguese, Dutch and British vied for control of the area.

The 38-meter long Kalutara Bridge was built at the mouth of the Kalu Ganga River and serves as a major link between the country's western and southern border. At the southern end of the bridge lies the 3 stories-high Kalutara Vihara, a Buddhist temple built in the 1960s which holds the distinction of being the only stupa in the world that is hollow.
Also a famous historic temple built in 1873 in Kalutara is the Asokaramaya Buddhist Temple situated in Kalutara north. The official website for Kalutara Asokarama maha viharaya can be found at www.asokaramya.org

Kalutara Bodiya

Kalutara Bodiya is one of the famous sacred shrine in Sri Lanka. It is one of the 32 saplings of Anuradhapura Sri Maha Bodiya. There is a hallow "Dageba" with interesting paintings here.

Calido Beach

Kalutara Calido beach is a popular beach among tourists due to its natural beauty. It is a thin strip of land which runs between the Kalu River and the Indian Ocean.

Public Transport

Kalutara has two railway stations, Kalutara North and Kalutara South. Kalutara South, however, is the one closest to the heart of the Kalutara town. Kalutara south railway station is a major railway hub on the southern railway line.

Due to the location of Kalutara, being on the A2 main road to Galle and Matara, number of bus services pass through the town. It is the main point for bus routes in Kalutara district.
Bus routes terminating at Kalutara:

400/1 - Colombo (Pettah)
400/5 - Nagoda
400/7 - Panadura
418 - Payagala
419 - Kethhena
420 - Horana
423 - Neboda (via Thebuwana)
422 - Moronthuduwa
425 - Bandaragama
426 - Nagoda
430/1 - Matugama
438 - Bandaragama
446 - Neboda (via Kendakaduwa)
458 - Weralugasthota
519 - Weniwelketiya

Bus routes heading to/from Colombo travelling via Kalutara:

02 - Galle / Ambalangoda / Matara
32 - Tangalle / Kataragama
393/2 - Baddegama
393/3 - Udugama
400 - Aluthgama
401 - Elpitiya
412 - Meegama
428 - Walallawita
430 - Mathugama
434 - Darvinfield
435 - Pelawatta