Kurunegala, Sri Lanka කුරුණෑගල குருனகல்
View of Kurunegala from top of Ethagala.
Kurunegala, Sri Lanka Location of Kurunegala within Sri Lanka
Coordinates: 7°29′0″N 80°22′0″E / 7.483333°N 80.366667°E / 7.483333; 80.366667
Country	Sri Lanka
Province	North Western Province, Sri Lanka
Government
• Mayor	Gamini Peramunage
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 North Western Province, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka and the Kurunegala District. Kurunegala was also an ancient royal capital for 50 years, from the end of the 13th century to the start of the 13th century. The town itself is a busy commercial and a transport hub. Kurunegala is located at the junction of several main roads linking to other important parts of the country. It is situated about 94 km from Colombo, and 42 km from Kandy.

Located at an altitude of 116 meters above sea level, Kurunegala is surrounded by coconut plantations and rubber estates. There are eight very noticeable large rocks that encircle and dominate the city. Kurunegala's rocks rise from the plain below and have characteristic names, six of which come from the animals that they are imagined to represent. The largest among them is Ethagala or the "Elephant Rock" (though the translation is actually Tusker), reaches 325 meters. The shape of Ethagala resembles an Elephant.

Etymology[link]

Kurunegala has been named after the Elephant rock(ඇතුගල). "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 Hasthishaila-pura, which can be translated as The city of the Elephant rock in Sanskrit. In some ancient literature the word Athugal-pura(ඇතුගල්පුර) is also employed to describe the city of Kurunegala.

Nearby are three archeological cities - Parakramapura (Panduvasnuwara-පඬුවස්නුවර) (north - west) with remains of a moated palace and monasteries from the 12th century, Dambadeniya-දඹ‍‍‍‍දෙනිය (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.

History[link]

The 88 feet (27 m) giant Buddha statue on top of the Elephant rock.

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 Aryacakravarti from the Jaffna Kingdom 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.

Geography and climate[link]

Geography[link]

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.

Climate[link]

Kurunegala features a tropical rainforest climate under the Koppen climate classification. The city's climate is tropical and hot all throughout the year. The surrounding rocks play a major role in determining Kurunegala's weather since these rocks increase and retain the heat of the day. 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. While the city does experience a noticeably drier weather during January and February, it does not qualify as a true dry season as average precipitatin in both months are above 60 mm. In general, temperatures from late November to mid February period are lower than the rest of the year.

The annual rainfall in Kurunegala is about 2000 millimeters.

Demographics[link]

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.

Source: 2001 Census Data^[5]

Language[link]

The common languages of Kurunegala, depending on social classes, social circles, and ethnic backgrounds are Sinhalese, Tamil and English.

Religion[link]

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. Hence Buddhism is rapidly increasing within the district.

Prominent Buddhist temples located in Kurunegala include Athkanda Raja Maha Viharaya, Ibbagala Raja Maha Viharaya, Angangala cave temple, Wilbawa Purana Viharaya and Bauddhaloka Viharaya. An ancient replica of Buddha's footprint that is found on the summit of Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak), a little dagoba and some paintings depicting the Buddha and his disciples can be seen at the Ibbagala Raja Maha Viharaya.

Christian/Catholic churches, mosques and Hindu temples are also located within the city. The Church of Ceylon, which is the Anglican Church in Sri Lanka operates a diocese in Kurunegala covering the North-Central province and Kurunegala, Kandy, Matale and Kegalle, Anuradapura, Polonnaruwa districts.

Administration[link]

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:

Transportation[link]

Kurunegala is a central city in Sri Lanka. It is directly connected to a large number of major cities and towns of the island. By road, it is connected to Colombo, Kandy, Puttalam, Trincomalee, Negombo, Anuradhapura and Kegalle. Due to its status as a crossroads town,^[6] the city is a good base for exploring many important ancient landmarks a short distance away.

Kurunegala can also be reached by the railway on the Northern railway line.^[7]

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.

Attractions[link]

The rocks[link]

Kurunegala is surrounded by several major rock outcrops, a distinctive geological feature of the Wayamba province of Sri Lanka.

• Etha-gala (Elephant Rock)
• Ibba-gala (Tortoise Rock)
• Ada-gala (Eel Rock)
• Elu-gala (Goat Rock)
• Kuruminiya-gala (Beetle Rock)
• Wandura-gala (Monkey Rock)
• Yakdessa-gala(Witch Rock)
• Goni-gala (Sack Rock)

Kurunegala lake[link]

A large man-made water reservoir constructed by ancient kings. The lake is located in the outskirts of the central business district near to the Kurunegala-Dambulla road. The tank is also used as a water supply source to the city.

Kurunegala clock tower[link]

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 valiant 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.

Maligawa ancient ruins[link]

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.

Education[link]

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.

National schools[link]

• Maliyadeva College - Kurunegala
• St. Anne's College - Kurunegala
• Maliyadeva Balika Vidyalaya - Kurunegala
• Holy Family Balika Maha Vidyalaya - Kurunegala
• Royal College Wayamba - Kurunegala
• Sir John Kothalawala Maha Vidyalaya - Kurunegala
• Maliyadeva Model School - Kurunegala
• Hizbulla Central College Theliyagonna, Kurunegala
• Lakdas Maha Vidyalaya - Kurunegala
• Hindu Tamil Maha Vidyalayam - Kurunegala
• Sri Nissanka Maha Vidyalaya-Kurunegala
• Zahira M.M.V Vidyalaya

Private/International schools[link]

• Amana International School
• Lexicon International School
• Royal International School
• Unique International College
• Wayamba International School

Sports[link]

Major sporting venues in and around Kurunegala include:

• Welagedara Stadium is the top sporting venue in Kurunegala. It regularly hosts both domestic and international Cricket matches.
• Maliyadeva College Cricket Grounds
• Maliga Pitiya Stadium
• St.Anne's College Cricket Grounds
• Maliyadeva Model School Sports Grounds
• Sir John Kotalawala College Grounds
• Vijayaba National College Grounds

Gallery[link]

See also[link]

• List of cities in Sri Lanka
• Kurunegala train crash
• List of statues by height
• Wayamba Cricket Team

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kurunegala

• Wayamba Tourism
• 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

v t e Cities in Sri Lanka Capitals Colombo (commercial) Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte (national) Other cities Anuradhapura Badulla Batticaloa Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Galle Hambantota Jaffna Kandy Kurunegala Maharagama Matara Moratuwa Negombo Nuwara Eliya Polonnaruwa Ratnapura Trincomalee

v t e Provincial capitals of Sri Lanka Colombo Kandy Galle Jaffna Trincomalee Kurunegala Anuradhapura Badulla Ratnapura

Coordinates: 7°29′N 80°22′E / 7.483°N 80.367°E / 7.483; 80.367