location along the main street of Ratnapura (inside the town). The Church building being used now is said to be inspired by St. Joseph Vaz (Apostle of Ceylon) during the 17th century when he visited Ratnapura as a part of his apostolic mission to Sabaragamuwa. After Sabaragamuwa became a diocese on 2 November 1995 SS. Peter-Paul's Church was raised to the status of the Cathedral of the diocese. Pothgul Viharaya - Rathnapura Pothgul Rajamaha Viharaya (පොත්ගුල් විහාරය) is a picturesque cave temple built on top of a hill believed to be built by king Vatta Gamini Abhaya better known as king Walagamba (89-77 BC) in the 1st century. It had been renovated during the days of King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe (1747 – 1781) of the Kandy period. There are two temples belonging to these two periods within the Pothgul Viharaya. St. Luke's Church (Church of England) Siva Temple (Hindu) Sri Pada (Adam's Peak) Ratnapura is the starting point for the 'classic' or hard route up Adam's Peak, via the Gilimale and Carney Estates. The pilgrimage season starts on Poya (full moon) day in December and runs until the start of the south-west monsoon in April. It has been a pilgrimage centre for over 1,000 years. King Parakramabahu and King Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa provided ambalamas or 'resting places' for weary pilgrims along the mountain route. The other more popular route is through Dalhousie (pronounced 'Del-house') close to Dickoya. Religion Ratnapura town has a Buddhist majority (52.88%) and a significant Muslim population (33.52%) . Education Schools in Ratnapura include: Convent of Infant Jesus Dharmapala Maha Vidyalaya Ferguson High School Kalawana National School Malwala Navodya School Mihindu Vidyalaya Prince College, Ratnapura Rambuka eVillage School Sivali Central College St. Aloysius College St. Luke's College Sumana Balika Vidyalaya Sumana Central College Sumana Saman Maha Vidyalaya Sussex College Lyceum Ratnapura Ratnapura Tamil Maha Vidyalayam Sri Sumana Maha Vidyalaya. Ratnapura. Gallella Maha Vidyalaya.Gallella. Ratnapura. Siduhath Vidyalaya. Galaboda, Ratnapura. Attractions Waterfalls Katugas Ella (කටුගස් ඇල්ල) – a waterfall, located at Mahawalawatta, away from Ratnapura. Kirindi Ella (කිරිඳි ඇල්ල) – a waterfall (the seventh highest in Sri Lanka), located away from Ratnapura, on the Ratnapura – Pelmadulla road. Rajanawa Ella (රජනෑ ඇල්ල) – a waterfall located adjacent to the Ratnapura–Kalawana road, at the village of Marapana. The scenery around the waterfall has been captured in several Sinhala films. Gem mines There are numerous gem mines located around the