Kalutara, town, southwestern Sri Lanka. The town, situated on the coast, at the estuary of the Kalu River, is a fishing and trade centre. The city holds a unique position for one of the four major rivers in Sri Lanka, the Kalu Ganga, which joins the sea at the centre of the city. Kaluthara is known for making rope, baskets, and other articles from the fibre of the coconut palm. In addition to its fibre crafts, the area produces arrack (an alcoholic beverage distilled from malted rice mash and molasses) and mangosteen, a reddish-brown fruit that is valued for its juicy, delicate texture and its slightly astringent flavour.