The original Portuguese fort in Ratnapura was built in 1620, but it was located where the Saman Devalaya temple now stands. After the Portuguese fort was destroyed by King Kirti Sri Raja Singha, the Dutch took control in 1658 and built a new fort on a hill in the middle of the town. The Dutch fort housed various important facilities and was later captured by the British in 1817. Today, the site of the Dutch fort is home to the Police Station, Public Library, and the National Gem and Jewellery Authority offices.