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| ==Postal service== | |||
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| == References == | == References == | ||
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Revision as of 17:14, 27 November 2012
City in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka| Gampaha
ගම්පහ கம்பஹா | |
|---|---|
| City | |
| Country |  Sri Lanka |
| District | Gampaha District |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal Council |
| • Mayor | Eranga Senanyake |
| Population | |
| • Total | 9,900 |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone) |
| • Summer (DST) | not observed |
| Area codes | 033 |
Gampaha is a city, in Gampaha District, Western Province, Sri Lanka. It is the fourth largest city in Western Province, after Colombo, Negombo and Kalutara. Gampaha is also the second largest city after Negombo in gampaha district. It is situated on the north-east of the capital Colombo.
Namesake
The name "Gampaha" in Sinhala (ගම්පහ ) literally means “Five Villages”. The five villages are known to be Ihalagama, Pahalagama, Medagama, Pattiyagama and Aluthgama. However, at present village Pattiyagama cannot be identified within the town limits of Gampaha and remains disputed. Gampaha was also known to be called Henarathgoda in the past.
Historical points of the town
Before year 1815, Gampaha was a dense forest. The 5th governor of Ceylon, Sir Edward Barnes made a visit to Gampaha in 1825, on the way to observe the construction work of Colombo-Kandy road. The British colonists built Henarathgoda railway station in 1864 which act as a key factor for the progress and recognition of the town. In 1867, the first rubber tree of Sri Lanka was planted in Henarathgoda botanical garden. When British built the “Moragoda” catholic church in 1828, Gampaha and surrounding areas became inhabitant slowly.
The structured Gampaha town plan was first introduced in 1920 by the Government Agent J.P Pressers. The plan incorporated 52 roads including the main street, a water tank, a public market, a hospital and an electrical generator. Most of these are still present in their original sites with various improvements over time. Lady Ridgeway Mary (Wife of Sir Joseph West Ridgeway - Governor of Ceylon - 1896 to 1903) made decorative touches to the town with plants and trees making the town a scenic place. As an honor for her name, the road running from downtown to the hospital junction was later named “Queen Mary’s” road.
The work of reputable Ayurvedic physician Pandit G. P. Wickramarchchi and the well known Bandaranayake political family were other important reasons for the wide popularity of the town all over Sri Lanka.
Local Government
Gampaha was a village council until 1945. On 1 January that year, the town qualified to become an urban council. The first urban council had 5 members. P.P Jayawardane was the first chairman of the urban council. Total number of workforce in the urban council was 197 persons.In 1979, Constitutional reforms declared Gampaha as a new administrative district, which was formerly recognized as a part of the Colombo District. The new district status lead the town to a rapid development, establishing new government institutes. On 16 April 2002, Gampaha urban council upgraded to the Municipal council.
Botanical Garden
Gampaha(Henarathgoda) Botanical Garden where the first rubber tree planted in Sri Lanka is still present located close to Gampaha Town.
Ayurveda
Pundit Wickramarachchi found the first Ayurveda College of the country - "Sri Lanka Siddhayurveda Vidyalaya" in 1929 closer to Yakkala. "Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Vidyalaya (Incorporation) Act No. 30 of 1982" established the college as a national institute for Ayurveda education. From 1 March 1995 the institute was recognized as "Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute" and was affiliated to the main university stream of the country Under University of Kelaniya. The institute offers "Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery" (BAMS) diploma and the practitioners are distinguished around the country as "Gampaha Ayurvedic Physicians". Rules for the regulation of the professional conduct of Ayurvedic physicians have been approved by the Minister of Health and gazetted in June 1971.
Transport
Gampaha is the 15th railway station from the Colombo fort on Colombo-Polgahawela main railway line. On 27 December 1864, the first train started its journey on the new rail track. Reportedly, when the first steam locomotive arrived at Henerathgoda station, local villagers gazed with astonishment and horror.
Bus routes terminating at Gampaha
- 181 - Nittambuwa
- 200 - Colombo (Pettah)
- 202 - Kiridiwela (via Weliweriya)
- 201 - Ja-Ela
- 205 - Wathuragama
- 207 - Pugoda (via Weliweriya & Delgoda)
- 214 - Ganemulla
- 228/1 - Kaduwela (via Weliweriya)
- 231 - Kirindiwela (via Yakkala & Radawana)
- 244 - Negombo
- 245 - Negombo (via Veyangoda)
- 245/1 - Airport (via Veyangoda)
- 276 - Kandana
- 376 - Kandana / Ja-Ela (via Ragama & Batuwaththa)
- 979 - Ragama
- 211 - Diulapitiya
References
- District Secretariat Gampaha
- Sri Lanka Chronology
- "Gampaha Botanic Garden - Botanic Gardens Conservation International".
- "Siddhayurveda College AKA The Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute".
- "Siddhayurveda Rasayanushada Samagama".
