Kurunegala
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| Kurunegala කුරුණෑගල குருனகல் |
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  Kurunegala
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| Coordinates: 7°29′0″N 80°22′0″E / 7.483333°N 80.366667°E | |
| Country |  Sri Lanka |
| Province | Wayamba Province |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Nimal Silva |
| Elevation | 116 m (381 ft) |
| Population (2001) | |
| - Total | 28,401 |
| Time zone | Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone (UTC+5:30) |
| Area code(s) | 037 |
Kurunegala (Sinhala: කුරුණෑගල, Tamil: குருனகல்), is the capital of the Wayamba Province, Sri Lanka and the Kurunegala District. A transport hub, it has a railway station, and several main roads linking important parts of the country. Kurunegala is situated about 94 km from Colombo, and 42 km from Kandy. Ethagala a rock reaching 316 meters, towers over the town, which is located at an altitude of 116 meters above sea level. The shape of Ethagala resembles an Elephant.
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[edit] Etymology
Kurunegala has been named after the Elephant rock. "Kurune" means Tusker or an Elephant with protruding teeth and Gala in Sinhala means rock. Kurunai means Tusker or an Elephant and Gal in Tamil means rock or hill. Kurunegala's old name was Hasthishailya-pura, which can be translated as The city of the Elephant rock in Sanskrit. In some ancient literature the word Athugal-pura is also employed to describe the city of Kurunegala.
Nearby are three archeological cities - Parakramapura (Panduvasnuwara) (north - west) with remains of a moated palace and monasteries from the 12th century, Dambadeniya (south - west, mid-13th century), and Yapahuwa (north).
Kurunegala enjoys a pleasant location overlooked by huge rocky outcrops some of which have been given names of the animals they resemble: Elephant rock, Tortoise rock etc. According to folklore legend, long time back the city had experienced a severe drought. To exacerbate matters for the humans, animals had threatened the city's storage capabilities by consuming huge amounts of water. Fortunately for the humans, a witch had volunteered to alleviate the problem, transforming some of the animals magically into stone figures.
[edit] History
Kurunegala had a citadel in the thirteenth century. It's ascendancy as an ancient capital of Sri Lanka, began with a series of events that took place during the late 12th century at Yapahuwa. The sacred tooth relic which was in the Yapahuwa Kingdom was taken away by a warlord Arya Chackrawarthi to the Pandyan country during the rule of Buwaneka Bahu I from 1272 to 1284[1]. The tooth relic was brought back by King Parakrama Bahu III who ruled from Kurunegala between 1287 to 1293[2]. Over the next half a century Kurunegala was the capital and the governing centre for three other kings of Sri Lanka.
After the death of King Parakrama Bahu III, Kings Buvanekabahu II (1293–1302) who was followed by Parakramabahu IV (1302–1326) ruled from Kurunegala. The ruler in Kurunegala from 1326 to 1335 was Buwaneka Bahu III alias Wanni Buwaneka Bahu. He was the son of Pandith Parakrama Bahu II and is believed to be the last king to rule the country from Kurunegala.
After the reign of Buwaneka Bahu III, the newly throned king Vijayabahu V ruled from Dambadeniya and Yapahuwa from 1335 to 1341 before once again the kingdom of Sri Lanka shifted to Gampola.
Few remains of the Palace of the Tooth relic that housed the tooth of the Buddha have avoided natural destruction, including few stone steps and a part of a doorway.
[edit] Geography and climate
[edit] Geography
Topographically Kurunegala town is based on a plain area with the exception of the surrounding rock out crops. The northern part of the town is slightly higher than the south. The Kurunegala Lake is the primary geographical feature of Kurunegala and adorns the town. The region comprising the Kurunegala town is located well above the sea level compared to the coastal areas of Sri Lanka. However, the region is not as high as the central hill country of the island. The nearest beaches to Kurunegala are to the western coastal areas and include Negombo and Chilaw.
[edit] Climate
Kurunegala's climate is fairly temperate and tropical all throughout the year. However during the month of April the temperature can rise up to about 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). The only major change in the Kurunegala weather occurs during the monsoons from May to August and October to January, this is the time of year where heavy rains can be expected. In general, temperatures experience during late November to mid February period are lower than the rest of the year. The annual rainfall in Kurunegala is about 2000 millimeters.
| Weather data for Kurunegala, Sri Lanka (1961-1990) | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Average high °C (°F) | 31 (88) |
33 (91) |
35 (95) |
34 (93) |
32 (90) |
31 (88) |
31 (88) |
31 (88) |
32 (90) |
31 (88) |
31 (88) |
30 (86) |
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| Average low °C (°F) | 21 (70) |
21 (70) |
22 (72) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
23 (73) |
22 (72) |
22 (72) |
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| Precipitation mm (inches) | 62 (2.44) |
92 (3.62) |
138 (5.43) |
262 (10.31) |
194 (7.64) |
156 (6.14) |
114 (4.49) |
93 (3.66) |
159 (6.26) |
359 (14.13) |
327 (12.87) |
139 (5.47) |
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| Source: [3] | |||||||||||||
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | %± |
| 1891 | 4,745 | — |
| 1901 | 6,483 | 36.6% |
| 1911 | 8,163 | 25.9% |
| 1921 | 10,187 | 24.8% |
| 1931 | 10,467 | 2.7% |
| 1946 | 13,372 | 27.8% |
| 1953 | 17,505 | 30.9% |
| 1963 | 21,179 | 21.0% |
| 1971 | 24,357 | 15.0% |
| 1981 | 26,198 | 7.6% |
| 2001 | 28,401 | 8.4% |
According to the census data, the estimated population of Kurunegala in the year 2001 was 28,401[4]. The male population was 14626 and the female population was 13775. Most of Kurunegala's residents belong to the Sinhalese majority. Other ethnic minorities include the Sri Lankan Moors, Sri Lankan Tamils, Burghers and Malays. Residents from ethnic minorities live in all parts of the city, however, sizeable communities of Moors and Tamils also live in the areas of Teliyagonna and Wilgoda.
The following Table summarizes the population of Kurunegala according to different ethnicities.
| Ethnicity | Population | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Sinhalese | 20,874 | 73.66 |
| Sri Lankan Moor | 4,452 | 15.71 |
| Sri Lankan Tamil | 2,221 | 7.84 |
| Malay | 349 | 1.23 |
| Indian Tamil | 249 | 0.88 |
| Burgher | 165 | 0.58 |
| Others including (Sri Lanka Chetty and Bharatha) | 27 | 0.09 |
Source: 2001 Census Data[5]
[edit] Language
The common languages of Kurunegala, depending on social classes, social circles, and ethnic backgrounds are Sinhalese, Tamil and English.
[edit] Religion
Buddhism is the main and the most widely practised religion in Kurunegala. The town is also home to a wide range of other religious faiths and sects including Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. Prominent Buddhist temples located in Kurunegala include Athkanda Raja Maha Viharaya, Bauddhaloka Viharaya, Angangala Cave Temple and Wilbawa Purana Viharaya. Christian/Catholic churches, Mosques and Hindu Temples are also located within the city.
[edit] Administration
The Kurunegala Municipality Council is responsible for overall administration, sanitary, welfare, and other general activities of the city. The Municipality Council headed by a mayor with 12 other elected members. The 12 elected members represent the following wards:
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[edit] Transportation
Kurunegala is a central city in Sri Lanka and is directly connected to a large number of major cities and towns of the island. By road, it is connected to Colombo, Mahanuwara (Kandy), Puttalam, Trincomalee, Negombo, Anuradhapura and Kegalle. Kurunegala can also be reach by the railway on the Northern Railway line.
The new Central Bus Stand opened in 2005 is one of Sri Lanka's most efficient and modern Bus Stands with a parking space capacity of about 200 buses at a time.
[edit] Attractions
[edit] The Seven Rocks
Kurunegala is surrounded by several rock outcrops, a distinctive geological feature of Wayamba.
- Etha-gala (Elephant Rock)
- Ibba-gala (Tortoise Rock)
- Ada-gala (Eel Rock)
- Elu-gala (Goat Rock)
- Yakdessa-gala
- Kuruminiya-gala (Beetle Rock)
- Wandura-gala (Monkey Rock)
[edit] Kurunegala Lake
A large man-made water reservoir constructed by ancient kings.
[edit] Kurunegala Clock Tower
The Kurunegala clock tower was built in 1922 as a tribute to the officers, who went from the Wayamba province and sacrificed their lives in the First World War. The tower memorial plaque has the following inscribed:
"This Clock Tower was erected in memory of those who went from the North Western province at the call of duty and gave their lives for the empire in the World War in 1914–1918"
However, soon after 1945, the tower was also dedicated to the valliant officers who sacrificed their lives in the Second World War.
Located at the centre of the city, today the Kurunegala clock tower serves as a landmark of the city. The Kurunegala Court of Law, The Central Market and the Central Bus Stand are also situated in the vicinity of the clock tower.
[edit] Maligawa Ancient Ruins
Archaeological remains of this site are few, but give a glimpse of its past glory and comprise the handsome stone entrance, steps, rock pillars and ruined walls of the royal palace. Maligawa site also contains some majestic old trees.
[edit] Education
Education is delivered free of charge to all students of national schools, according to the government policy. These schools operate under the Provincial Council. There are also privately owned schools in Kurunegala.
[edit] National Schools
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[edit] Private/International Schools
- Royal International School
- Wayamba International School
- Unique International College
- Lexicon International School
[edit] Sports
Major sporting venues in and around Kurunegala include:
- Welagedara Stadium
- Maliga Pitiya Stadium
- St.Anne's College Cricket Grounds
- Maliyadeva College Cricket Grounds
- Maliyadeva Model School Sports Grounds
- Sir John Kotalawala College Grounds
[edit] Gallery
 The 88 feet (27 m) giant Buddha Statue on top of the Elephant rock. |
 Ibba-gala temple sits in a valley about halfway up the Elephant rock. |
 The Kurunegala lake, as observed from the top of the Elephant rock. |
 The Kurunegala clock tower. |
 Welagedara Stadium is the top sporting venue in Kurunegala. It regularly hosts both domestic and international Cricket matches. |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ The tooth Relic of Lord Buddha
- ^ Dumbara kings - The Dambadeniya period
- ^ "Statistics: Kurunegala, Sri Lanka". Theweathernetwork.com. http://www.theweathernetwork.com/index.php?product=statistics&pagecontent=C00880. Retrieved 12 November 2009.
- ^ "Statistical Abstract 2008". Department of Census and Statistics - Sri Lanka. 2008. http://www.statistics.gov.lk/Abstract_2008_PDF/abstract2008/table%202008/Chap%202/AB2-4.pdf. Retrieved October 28, 2009.
- ^ "Population by Ethnicity according to Urban Area (Provisional)". Department of Census and Statistics - Sri Lanka. http://web.archive.org/web/20070610120717/http://www.statistics.gov.lk/census2001/population/district/t002c.htm. Retrieved October 28, 2009.
[edit] External links
- History and Heritage of Kurunegala
- Detailed map of Kurunegala and Sri Lanka
- Welagedara Stadium, Kurunegala
- Kurunegala Divisional Secretariats
- Malay Mosque in Kurunegala
- Kurunegala District Population by Ethnicity - 2001 Census
- Athugalpura Business directory
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