Administrative Capital of Sri Lanka

The historical city of Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte famed for its sovereign rule, cultural and religious renaissance and literary and aesthetic revival in days of yore was declared as the new capital of Sri Lanka with effect from 29 January 1985 through gazette extraordinary dated 06 February 1985 of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Boundaries and extent of the area of authority - The city of Kotte is bounded in the north and east by the Kolonnawa and Kaduwela Divisional Secretary Divisions and in the south and west by the Maharagama and Thimbirigasyaya Divisional Secretary Divisions respectively and covers a total land area of approximately 1,674 hectares.

Due to its close proximity to the commercial capital of Colombo and being one of its satellite cities and on account of being the administrative capital of Sri Lanka and the location of the new parliamentary complex, it has experienced rapid urbanization and urban sprawl. As a result of its highly developed road network, efficient infrastructure facilities and rapid expansion of centers of service have made it one of the most sought after urban centres of the island.

Environment

Sri Jayawardanapura is a city with many picturesque wetlands. According to the present land use, 230 hectares have been identified as wetlands or marshy lands. The boundaries of these wetlands expand up to either side of the Kotte canal (Diyawanna Oya), Nawala East Road (Welikada - Nugegoda), Jayawardanapura Mawatha South, Etul Kotte Western Section and certain parts of the Heen Ela.

With the relocation of the Parliamentary Complex at the new administrative capital of Sri Jayawardanapura, Kotte, there was a perceptible change in the extent of marshy lands in the area. In constructing the Parliamentary Complex, the existing land was reclaimed and developed and the surrounding area was designed and developed as a reservoir. The marshy land bordering the reservoir with a shrub jungle is used as a retention ground of excess rainy water.

Urban residents use marshy lands as dumping ground of garbage. As a result, these lands are filled and used for constructing houses and garbage dumping grounds. Consequently, these marshy lands and wetlands have at present become one of the most threatened eco systems.

Primarily, the wetlands and surrounding areas render three major benefits.

• During heavy rains, wetlands serve as temporary reservoirs that retain excess water. This significantly reduces the threat of flooding in the area.
• In the absence of efficient waste water drainage system, these wetlands retain waste water discharged by the residents of surrounding areas.
• Reclaiming of wetlands has continued unchecked and they have been used extensively for the construction of housing complexes and marketing complexes.

In the absence of an efficient management, the extent of wetlands in Kotte area is rapidly on the decline. One of the adverse effects is the threat of floods already witnessed in certain parts of the town.

Population - The total population in the 20 GramaNiladhariDivisons within the Kotte urban limits is 118,323. (as at December 2016). According to the ethnicity, Sinhalese constitutes 84% of the population while the percentage of both the Tamils and Muslim is 7% while Burghers and others make up 1%.

• Less than 18 years - 38,705
• Between 18-55 years - 56,815
• More than 56 years - 22,803

The main livelihood of the majority of people is based on the service sector. In addition, a marked increase is witnessed in the number of people engaged in the industrial sector. Those who are engaged in agriculture is minimal and they too are not full-time agriculturalists but part time farmers.

Places of Archeological Importance

Rampart

The rampart built by chieftain Alakeshwarato ward off enemy attacks had been 8 feet high and 30 feet wide. The DaladaPeraharaconducted under the auspices of the kings who ruled Kotte is said to have paraded along the rampart according to historical chronicles. During the Portuguese, Dutch and British eras, kabook bricks from the rampart had been removed for the construction of Hendala Bridge and many government and private buildings and military facilities in Colombo Fort, Pettah and Hulftsdorf and several other areas. Few traces of the western section of the rampart is visible today in certain places of the Rampart Road, Ethul Kotte. The Department of Archology has declared these sites as archeologically conserved areas.

Diyawanna Oya

The historical Diyawanna Oya, the crown jewel of Kotte city is an awe-inspiring creation of the Mother Nature. Sandesa poems in their highly conventional descriptions of Kotte, eulogize the pristine glory of the lake and beauty of the parks surrounding it. According to historical records, VeediyaBandara, the commander in chief of the Kotte Kingdom, infuriated by a rumourinvolvinghis wife Samudra Devi and a Portuguese officer of the Royal Court Diago De Arachjo, threw her to Diyawanna and let her die of suffocation.

Royal Palace

There is very little evidence left about the ruins of the royal palace. It is said to be a magnificent five-storied edifice of which the pinnacle was visible to surrounding villages. The royal pond too was believed to have been located in close proximity. During archeological excavations carried out sometimes ago, magnificently carved tiles, polished bricks and coins belonging to the Parakramabahu era were found inside a large pit. The responsibility of excavating this historical site lies with the Department of Archeology. There is evidence that the palace was situated in the area currently known as the Maligawa Road.

Gal Ambalama

The Gal Ambalama (stone wayside resting place) at Pittakotte junction is of special significance in the study of architecture and technology of Sri Lanka. The design of the roof of the ambalama has many similarities to the current architectural practices and the technology used is highly advanced. Though caste differences dictated the different levels in the seating area in the ambalamasconstructed in the Kandyan era, no such differences exist in the Gal Ambalama in Pitakotte. Thus it is evident that people live in unity disregarding differences in caste and creed during the period of Kotte kingdom. It is believed to have been built to offer shelter to those travelling to Kotte and in the old map of Kotte too, the ambalama is prominently marked. With the urbanization of Pitakotte area, the ambalama has undergone many changes and several stone pillars built during that period can be seen even today.

Cemetery of Alakeshwara

This site located at Alakeshwara Road, Ethul Kotte is under the purview of the Department of Archeology. The remnants within this ancient site present a mystery for historians, who debate whether the enduring vestiges once belonged to the Palace of Alakeshwara or whether they mark his final resting place. Those who claim that it was the palace of Alakeswara argue that he was a clever administrator and a brilliant warrior who dreamt of becoming the king and as he was killed and his body was fed to crocodiles in the BahirawaPokunfollowing a failed attempt to grab power, a body did not remain to be cremated. Therefore they opine that this was his palace. There are two foundations built with kabok (clay-iron stone); now crowned by soft grassy knolls. The discovery of a water filter, grinding stone and other ancient domestic utensils, seems to further validate claims that this may have once been the residence of a nobleman.

The ruins of Veherakanda

During the excavations carried out by the Department of Archeology in 1949, two dome-shaped brick structures atop a square terracewhich is 97 x58 x 5½ feet in size were found. They are believed to be stupas, and a raised platform in the northern section of the Vehera Kanda site is assumed to have once housed an Image House. The larger of the two stupas made of kabook stones is 30 feet high and the smaller stupa is 24 feet high. Both stupas have been constructed with three terraces and there are two flights of stairs from the North and West to reach the raised platform. Some claim that this was an ancient monastery. However, another theory by renowned archeologist Dr. SenarathParanavithasuggeststhat structures maybe the tombs of King Parakramabahu VI and his wife, Ran Menika.

Old Tunnel Gateway

The remnants of these tunnel gateways are located in the vicinity of Kotte Ananda Sastralaya. The entrance to the tunnel was through two gates five feet below the original ground level. The crown of the Sinhala Kings was believed to have been engraved on top of the entrance portico. At the middle of the tunnel, there had been four doors to climb down and three of them were reported to be false doors specifically designed for security reasons.The most popular belief is that this tunnel was dugbyPrincess Tikiri the second wife of Prince VeediyaBandara employing artisans brought from Mathurata area, to free her husband who was captured and imprisoned by the Portuguese from the dungeons inside Colombo Fort.During recent excavations by the Department of Archeology, a chamber cut in to the kabook rock complete with a stupa and a flight of stairs were found.

Kotte Raja MahaViharayaand historic Na (Ironwood) Bodhi

Built under the patronage of King Parakramabahu VI for the Sangha, the original Kotte Raja MahaViharaya was destroyed by the colonisers. The Kotte Raja MahaViharais mentioned in AththaragamaBandaraRajaguru's book ViharaAsna (Nam Potha), a Kandyan period compiled book about the important Buddhist centers in Sri Lanka. According to that book Kotte temple is described as OthPilimageya and Jayawardenepura Kotte ShanmugaDevalaya which are believed to be the image house with reclining Buddha at Kotte Vihara done by King Parakumbha VI and the Devalaya in front of it. During the Portuguese in the country Kotte temple was completely destroyed and temple was re-established in 1813 after the destroyed temple was found out by Ven. Pilane Buddha Rakkithathero. In every year since 1901, a Perahera (a procession) is conducted in the Kotte Vihara, in memory of and to honour the Sacred Relic of the tooth of the Buddha as the kingdom of Kotte once abode the Sacred Tooth Relic.

Unlike other temples, this temple has an ironwood (Na) tree instead of a bo tree. History of this tree dates back to the era of the prince SapumalBandara, the prince who conquered Jaffna. Before leaving for this war, he had worshipped this ancient naa tree and made a vow and upon his return he had interred his sword and built a devala therein according to historical chronicles.

Kotte Archeological Museum

The museum is located along the Kotahena-Nugegoda bus route (Route No. 168) approximately 50 meters towards Nugegoda from the Rampart Road. The former residence of late E W Perera, a pioneering leader of the independent struggle of Sri Lanka, has been converted to a memorial museum. Within, ancient artefacts are preserved and visitors can discover information about the Kotte Era.

Government Schools

The number of government schools located within the city of Kotte is 19. Of them President’s College - Rajagiriya, Ananda Sastralaya - Kotte and Anula Girls’ School, Nugegoda are national schools and other schools which come under the purview of the provincial council are Hewavitharana Vidyalaya, Sirisanda Vidyalaya, Sri Sobhitha Vidyalaya, Hindu Vidyalaya, Samudradevi Balika Vidyalaya, Ananda Balika Vidyalaya, Anula Primary School, President’s Primary Model School, Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya, Sri Jayawardanapura Maha Vidyalaya, Sri Jayawardanapura Balika Vidyalaya, St. Thomas College, Sri Revatha Rajakeeya Vidyalaya and Sri Vijayarama Vidyalaya.

The total number of students studying in these schools is 22008 and the total number of teachers serving in them is 1206.