Sri Lanka, July 14 -- The Galle District which is a part of Ruhuna is prominent as an important trading centre due to its natural seaport. The name, Galle was derived from the Sinhala word, Gaala which means the place where bullock carts were parked. The Portuguese called the Galle Harbour 'punta de Galle', which was changed to 'point de Galle' under the British administration. The name 'Galle' was used after the Portuguese occupation of the area in the sixteenth century.

In front of the present Government Agent's office, there was a church. There was another church built by Franciscan priests in Galle in 1544 at the place where the present Islam mosque is situated, according to chronicles. Today, there is an All Saints' Church and a St....