Beruwala

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Beruwala

බෙරුවල

பேருவளை
—  Town and Urban Council  —
Beruwala is located in Sri Lanka
Beruwala
Location in Sri Lanka
Coordinates: 6°28′N 79°59′E / 6.467°N 79.983°E / 6.467; 79.983
Country  Sri Lanka
Province Western Province
District Kalutara District
Time zone +5.30

Beruwala, is a small resort town in the south western coastal belt of Sri Lanka. The name Beruwela is derived from the Sinhalese word Beruwela (the place where the sail is lowered). It marks the spot for the first Muslim settlement on the island, established by Arab traders around the 8th century AD. A large population of Sri Lankan Moors, many of them are gem merchants, still live in the town-- particularly in the "China Fort". Msjid-ul-Abrar , a landmark of Beruwela and Sri Lanka's oldest mosque, was built by Arab traders on a rocky peninsula overlooking the town.

~Kechimalai Mosque - Beruwala~ One of the oldest mosques in Sri Lanka. It is believed to be the site where the first Arab Muslims landed in Sri Lanka

Beruwela is also home to Al- Fasiyatul Nasriya Muslim Balika Maha Vidyalaya, which is the first and oldest girls school in Sri Lanka. It was damaged by tsunami on boxing day in 2004.

Beruwela is the starting point of the 130 km long stretch of beach. In the past few years great strides have been made in the field of resort development in this area. The bay around remains ideal for bathing almost for the whole year.

Coordinates: 6°28′N 79°59′E / 6.467°N 79.983°E / 6.467; 79.983