View source for Galle

{{Short description|City in the Southern Province, Sri Lanka}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Galle
| native_name = {{lang|si|ගාල්ල}}<br />{{lang|ta|காலி}}
| official_name = City of Galle
| settlement_type = [[City]]
| image_skyline            = {{multiple image
  | total_width              = 250
  | border                   = infobox
  | perrow                   = 1/2/2/2
  | caption_align            = center
  | image2                 = Galle_International_Stadium.JPG
  | caption2                 =  [[Galle International Stadium]]
  | image1                   = Galle Fort.jpg
  | caption1                = Aerial view of [[Galle Fort]]
  | image3                   =GALLE_RAILWAY_STATION_SRI_LANKA_JAN_2013_(8492488526).jpg
  | caption3                 = [[Galle railway station]]
  | image4                   = Unawatuna_beach_sri_lanka.jpg
  | caption4                 = [[Unawatuna]] beach
  | image5                   = Sunset_at_Galle.jpg
  | caption5                 = [[Peace Pagoda]] in Galle
  | image6                   = Maritime_Museum_Galle.jpg
  | caption6                 = [[National Maritime Museum (Galle)|Maritime Museum of Galle]]
  | image7                   = Rumassala_Beach.jpg
  | caption7                 = Rumassala
  }}
| image_flag = 
| image_seal = 
| image_shield = 
| nickname = 
| motto = 
| image_map = 
| map_caption = 
| pushpin_map = Sri Lanka
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_mapsize = 200
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| coordinates = {{Coord|06|01|58|N|80|12|56|E|region:LK|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = Sri Lanka
| subdivision_type1 = Province
| subdivision_name1 = [[Southern Province, Sri Lanka|Southern Province]]
| established_title = 
| established_date = 
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type = [[Galle Municipal Council]]
| leader_title = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name = Priyantha G. Sahabandu 
| leader_title1 = Hon. Mayor 
| leader_title2 = Headquarters
| leader_name2 = Galle Town Hall
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes = 
| area_total_km2 = 16.52
| area_land_km2 = 
| area_water_km2 = 
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m = 0
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total = 112,252
| population_as_of = 2022
| population_density_km2 = 5712
| population_demonym = Galleans
| population_note = 
| timezone = [[Time in Sri Lanka|Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone]]
| utc_offset = +5:30
| timezone_DST = 
| utc_offset_DST = 
| postal_code_type = 
| postal_code = 80000
| area_code = 091
| website = [http://galle.mc.gov.lk galle.mc.gov.lk]
}}
{{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
| WHS = Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications
| Criteria = Cultural: iv
| ID = 451
| Year = 1988
}}
'''Galle''' ({{langx|si|ගාල්ල|translit=Gālla}},  {{IPA|si|ɡaːlːə|ipa}}; {{langx|ta|காலி|translit=Kāli}}, {{IPA|ta|kaːli|ipa}}) (formerly {{langx|fr|Point de Galle}}) is a major city on the southwestern tip of [[Sri Lanka]], {{cvt|119|km}} 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''<ref>{{cite book |title=Archaeological Sites and Urban Centres: Treasury of world culture (Volume 1 of World Heritage Series) |editor-last=Terraroli |editor-first=Valerio |date=2002 |publisher=Skira Editore/UNESCO |edition=1st |isbn=978-88-8491-393-7 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/worldheritagearc0000unse}}</ref> before the arrival of the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] in the 16th century, when it was the main port on the island. [[Ibn Batuta]], a [[Morocco|Moroccan]] [[Berber Muslims|Berber Muslim]] traveller in the 14th century, referred to it as ''Qali''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sangam.org/taraki/articles/2006/02-26_Ibn_Battuta_Jaffna_Kingdom.php?uid=1547 |title=Medieval Traveller Ibn Battuta was a Guest of the Jaffna King in 1344 |publisher=Ilankai Tamil Sangam |year=2006 |access-date=2013-02-11 |archive-date=2016-12-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228121430/http://www.sangam.org/taraki/articles/2006/02-26_Ibn_Battuta_Jaffna_Kingdom.php?uid=1547 |url-status=live }}</ref> Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, during the [[Dutch period in Ceylon|Dutch colonial period]]. Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] in South and Southeast [[Asia]], showing the interaction between [[Portugal|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 [[landmark]]s in Galle include the [[Galle Harbour|city's natural harbour]], the [[National Maritime Museum (Galle)|National Maritime Museum]], [[St. Mary's Cathedral, Galle|St. Mary's Cathedral]] founded by [[Jesuit]] [[priest]]s, 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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://worldcricketwatch.com/stories/feature/pitching-it-up-the-galle-international-stadium/ |title=Pitching it Up: The Galle International Stadium |publisher=World Cricket Watch |year=2011 |access-date=2013-09-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213018/http://worldcricketwatch.com/stories/feature/pitching-it-up-the-galle-international-stadium/ |archive-date=2016-03-03 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The ground, which was severely damaged by the tsunami, was rebuilt and [[Test Cricket|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==
Galle was known as ''Gimhathitha'' in ancient times. The term is believed to be derived from the classical [[Sinhala language|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''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mysrilankaholidays.com/galle-dutch-fort.html |title=VOC Galle Dutch Fort, South Coast, Sri Lanka (A World Heritage Site) |work=My Sri Lanka Holidays |access-date=30 September 2013 |archive-date=25 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725090711/http://www.mysrilankaholidays.com/galle-dutch-fort.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://discover.lankanest.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=100&Itemid=71.html/ |title=Galle and Galle Fort. |work=Discover Sri Lanka |date=9 March 2008 |access-date=30 September 2013 |author=Lanka Nest |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003141427/http://discover.lankanest.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=100&Itemid=71.html%2F |archive-date=3 October 2013}}</ref> Another theory is that the word ''Galle'' is derived from the Latin word ''gallus'' or the Portuguese word ''galo'', which mean '[[rooster]]'.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} The Dutch used the rooster as a symbol of Galle.

== History ==
According to [[James Emerson Tennent]] (Colonial Secretary of Ceylon) Galle was the ancient seaport of [[Tarshish]],<ref name=tarshish>{{cite web |title=Galle. Port, fort i kolonie|url=https://merwinski.pl/galle-port-fort-i-kolonie/|website=Merwinski.pl|last=Merwiński |first=Tomasz |access-date=2024-10-02|language=pl}}</ref> from which [[King Solomon]] drew [[ivory]], [[peacock]]s and other valuables. [[Cinnamon]] was exported from Sri Lanka as early as 1400 BC, and as the root of the word itself is [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], Galle may have been a main [[entrepôt]] for the spice.<ref>{{cite web |author=District Disaster Management Coordinating Unit- Galle |title=Psychosocial Forum District Data Mapping: Galle |url=http://www.econsortium.info/Psychosocial_Forum_District_Data_Mapping/galle.pdf |publisher=Department of Social Services: Galle |access-date=14 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728201052/http://www.econsortium.info/Psychosocial_Forum_District_Data_Mapping/galle.pdf |archive-date=2014-07-28 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, at Galle, Ceylon (104, September 1868, II (New Series)) - Copy.jpg|thumb|right|Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, 1868]]
[[File:Pointe de Galle sud de Ceylan en 1754.jpeg|thumb|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.<ref>{{Cite book |title=International Dictionary of Historic Places, Volume 5: Asia and Oceania |publisher=Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers |year=1996 |isbn=1-884964-04-4 |editor-last=Schellinger |editor-first=Paul |location=Chicago |pages=272 |editor-last2=Salkin |editor-first2=Robert}}</ref>

Galle had been a prominent seaport long before western rule in the country: [[Persian people|Persians]], [[Arabs]], [[Greeks]], [[Ancient Rome|Romans]], [[Malays (ethnic group)|Malays]], [[India]]ns, and [[China|Chinese]] were doing business through Galle's port. In 1411, the [[Galle Trilingual Inscription]], a stone tablet inscription in three languages, [[Chinese language|Chinese]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Persian language|Persian]], was erected in Galle to commemorate [[Ming treasure voyages|the second visit to Ceylon]] by the Chinese admiral [[Zheng He]]. In 1502, a small fleet of [[Portugal|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 [[Kingdom of Kotte#History|King]] resided in [[Kotte#History|Kotte]] close to [[Colombo]], Lourenço proceeded there after a brief stop in Galle.

In 1640, the [[Siege of Galle (1640)|Portuguese were forced to surrender]] to the [[Dutch East India Company]]. The Dutch built the present [[Galle Fort|fort]] in 1663. They built a fortified solid granite wall and three bastions, known as "Sun", "Moon" and "Star".

After the [[British Ceylon|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==
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 {{cvt|26|C}} throughout.
{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = Galle (1991–2020 normals)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 34.9
|Feb record high C = 34.6
|Mar record high C = 36.4
|Apr record high C = 35.5
|May record high C = 35.3
|Jun record high C = 32.6
|Jul record high C = 31.5
|Aug record high C = 31.3
|Sep record high C = 31.2
|Oct record high C = 33.2
|Nov record high C = 33.8
|Dec record high C = 33.5
|year record high C = 
 | Jan high C = 29.9
 | Feb high C = 30.7
 | Mar high C = 31.6
 | Apr high C = 31.4
 | May high C = 30.4
 | Jun high C = 29.4
 | Jul high C = 29.0
 | Aug high C = 29.0
 | Sep high C = 29.2
 | Oct high C = 29.4
 | Nov high C = 29.9
 | Dec high C = 29.9
 | year high C = 30.0
 | Jan mean C = 26.7
 | Feb mean C = 27.2
 | Mar mean C = 28.1
 | Apr mean C = 28.4
 | May mean C = 28.2
 | Jun mean C = 27.5
 | Jul mean C = 27.1
 | Aug mean C = 27.2
 | Sep mean C = 27.2
 | Oct mean C = 27.1
 | Nov mean C = 27.1
 | Dec mean C = 26.8
 | year mean C = 27.4
 | Jan low C = 23.4
 | Feb low C = 23.7
 | Mar low C = 24.6
 | Apr low C = 25.3
 | May low C = 26.0
 | Jun low C = 25.7
 | Jul low C = 25.4
 | Aug low C = 25.4
 | Sep low C = 25.2
 | Oct low C = 24.8
 | Nov low C = 24.2
 | Dec low C = 23.7
 | year low C = 24.8
|Jan record low C = 18.7
|Feb record low C = 19.4
|Mar record low C = 17.1
|Apr record low C = 18.2
|May record low C = 17.1
|Jun record low C = 20.7
|Jul record low C = 20.9
|Aug record low C = 20.9
|Sep record low C = 20.4
|Oct record low C = 20.7
|Nov record low C = 18.1
|Dec record low C = 18.9
|year record low C = 
|precipitation colour = green
 | Jan precipitation mm = 86.8
 | Feb precipitation mm = 71.1
 | Mar precipitation mm = 89.9
 | Apr precipitation mm = 201.9
 | May precipitation mm = 315.9
 | Jun precipitation mm = 184.0
 | Jul precipitation mm = 172.6
 | Aug precipitation mm = 161.9
 | Sep precipitation mm = 260.9
 | Oct precipitation mm = 344.5
 | Nov precipitation mm = 282.6
 | Dec precipitation mm = 175.9
 | year precipitation mm = 2348.0
 | unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
 | Jan precipitation days = 6.6
 | Feb precipitation days = 5.8
 | Mar precipitation days = 6.9
 | Apr precipitation days = 11.8
 | May precipitation days = 17.2
 | Jun precipitation days = 16.6
 | Jul precipitation days = 15.1
 | Aug precipitation days = 14.2
 | Sep precipitation days = 17.1
 | Oct precipitation days = 18.2
 | Nov precipitation days = 14.9
 | Dec precipitation days = 11.2
 | year precipitation days = 155.7
 | source 1 = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="WMONormals">{{cite web
|url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/SriLanka/CSV/Galle_43495.csv
|title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Galle
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = January 20, 2024}}</ref>
|source 2 = Department of Meteorology (records up to 2007)<ref name = records>
{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091229081618/http://www.meteo.gov.lk/Up_Date/weather/Extreme%20Values.pdf |archive-date=29 December 2009 |url=http://www.meteo.gov.lk/Up_Date/weather/Extreme%20Values.pdf |title=Ever Recorded Daily Extreme Values |publisher=Department of Meteorology |access-date=8 December 2016}}</ref>
}}

==Cityscape==

===Wards===
Galle has twenty wards:<ref>{{cite web |title=Galle Municipal Council Ward Map |url=http://galle.mc.gov.lk/node/76 |website=Galle city |access-date=2020-08-21 |archive-date=2020-07-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729094943/http://galle.mc.gov.lk/node/76 |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
*[[Gintota]]
*[[Dadalla, Galle|Dadalla]]
*Bope
*Kumbalwella
*Madawalamulla
*Deddugoda
*Maitipe
*Dangedara
*Bataganvila
*Sangamiththapura
*Galwadugoda
*Kandew
*Galle Town
*Weliwaththa
*Thalapitiya
*Makuluwa
*Milidduwa
*Magalle
*Katugoda
*[[Imaduwa]]
{{div col end}}

==Governance==
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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://greengalle.weebly.com/ |title=Galle Green City - Make green city - Home |website=greengalle.weebly.com |access-date=2019-12-21 |archive-date=2019-12-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221052603/http://greengalle.weebly.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Demographics==
Galle is a sizeable city by Sri Lankan standards, and has a population of 101,749, the majority of whom are of [[Sinhalese people|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 people|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 2012 census is as follows Buddhist-66,840-65.69%,Islam-32,865-32.30%,Roman Catholic-898-0.88%,Hindu-724-0.71%,Other Christian-402-0.40%,Others-20-0.02%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.map.statistics.gov.lk/apps/wb/index.html |title=Sri Lanka Census Map |date=2012 |access-date=2023-01-28 |website=statistics.gov.lk |publisher=Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka |archive-date=2023-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129021805/http://www.map.statistics.gov.lk/apps/wb/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{bar box
|title=Ethnicity in Galle (2012)
|titlebar=#ddd
|left1=Population
|right1=Percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]]|#FFFF00|66.79}}
{{bar percent|[[Sri Lankan Moors|Muslims]]|#009000|32.05}}
{{bar percent|[[Tamils]]|#FF8000|1.02}}
{{bar percent|Others|#0080FF|0.14}}
}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20161113202513/http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2012Visualization/htdocs/index.php?usecase=indicator&action=DSMap&indId=10&district=Galle&Legend=3# Government Statistics.lk]

==Education==
===Schools===
{{main|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.
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! School
! Date of establishment
|-
| [[All Saints College, Galle|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 (Sri Lanka)|Richmond College]] || 1876
|-
| [[Rippon Girls' College]] || 1817
|-
| [[Sacred Heart Convent Galle|Sacred Heart Convent]] || 1896
|-
| [[St. Aloysius' College (Galle)|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 ===
[[File:Engfac Galle1.jpg|thumb|right|Faculty of Engineering, Galle]]
Three main faculties of the [[University of Ruhuna]] are located in Galle. The [[Faculty Of Engineering Ruhuna|Faculty of Engineering]] is located at Hapugala, about 6&nbsp;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===
[[File:Advanced Technological Institute - Labuduwa.jpeg|thumbnail|Advanced Technological Institute, Labuduwa]]
[[File:Galle 1.jpg|thumb|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 (Sri Lanka)|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==
[[File:Galle Expressway.JPG|Southern Expressway|thumb|right]]
[[File:GALLE RAILWAY STATION SRI LANKA JAN 2013 (8553460957).jpg|thumbnail|[[Galle Railway Station]]]]
Galle is served by [[Sri Lanka Railways]]' [[Coastal Line (Sri Lanka)|Coastal Line]] and is connected by rail to Colombo and [[Matara, Sri Lanka|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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://colombofort.com/colombo-galle-matara.htm |title=Colombo - Galle - Matara by rail |publisher=Colombofort.com |year=2011 |access-date=2013-02-14 |archive-date=2013-02-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130215222243/http://colombofort.com/colombo-galle-matara.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[A2 highway (Sri Lanka)|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)|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.

==Twin towns – sister cities==
Galle is twinned with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Galle Library |date=18 April 2020 |url=https://www.lovesrilanka.org/galle-library/ |publisher=Love Sri Lanka |access-date=2022-04-26 |archive-date=2021-08-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805055409/https://www.lovesrilanka.org/galle-library/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*{{flagicon|NED}} [[Velsen]], Netherlands

==Notable people==
see [[:Category:People from Galle]]

== See also ==
*[[Galle Fort]]
*[[Galle International Stadium]]
*[[Hikkaduwa]]
*[[Pilana Raja Maha Vihara]]
*[[Unawatuna]]
{{clear right}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
*[http://galle.mc.gov.lk/ Galle Municipal Council] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022043323/http://galle.mc.gov.lk/ |date=2020-10-22 }}
{{commons category|Galle}}
*{{wikivoyage inline|Galle}}
*[https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/451 Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications, UNESCO World Heritage Site]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20190503083732/http://www.srilankatourism.org/ Official website of the Sri Lanka Tourism Board]

{{Largest Sri Lankan cities}}
{{Municipalities and Urban areas of Sri Lanka}}
{{Provincial capitals of Sri Lanka}}
{{World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Galle| ]]
[[Category:Provincial capitals in Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Sri Lanka]]