How to Pronounce Kotte

Meaning and Context

Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, commonly abbreviated as Kotte, is the official legislative capital of Sri Lanka, a status it formally assumed in 1982 when the country's parliament was relocated from Colombo. This planned city, situated within the Colombo metropolitan area, is built upon the historic grounds of the 15th-century Kingdom of Kotte, a major Sinhalese power that flourished under King Parakramabahu VI. Today, Kotte represents a unique fusion of deep historical resonance and modern administrative function, housing not only the iconic Sri Lankan Parliament Complex but also key government ministries and the Supreme Court. Its landscape intertwines remnants of ancient fortifications, such as the ramparts and the Bastian Mawatha, with contemporary infrastructure, making it a vital site for both political governance and cultural heritage tourism in Sri Lanka.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary term is "Kotte," but its full and official name is "Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte," which is often used in formal contexts. Common abbreviations include "Sri Jayawardenepura" or simply "Kotte." Frequent misspellings arise from transliteration and phonetic errors, such as "Kote," "Kot," or "Kottai." The full name is often misspelled as "Sri Jayawardena Pura Kotte," "Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte," or with hyphenation errors like "Sri Jayawardenepura-Kotte." Another common error is the omission of "Sri," leading to "Jayawardenepura Kotte." When writing, it is important to note that "Kotte" itself is sometimes incorrectly capitalized in the middle of a sentence (e.g., "the city of kotte") or confused with the similar-sounding "Cotta," an archaic colonial-era name for the area.

Example Sentences

The modern Parliament of Sri Lanka convenes in a striking building situated on an island in the Diyawanna Oya, within the administrative boundaries of Kotte.

Archaeologists continue to study the extensive ramparts and moats that once defended the medieval Kingdom of Kotte, offering insights into its sophisticated urban planning.

While Colombo remains the commercial capital, many government ministries have their headquarters in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.

Tourists often visit the old Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya temple to see its connection to the historic kingdom.

The decision to designate Kotte as the legislative capital was strategically made to decentralize administrative functions from the bustling port city of Colombo.

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