Piliyandala

Piliyandala

පිළියන්දල

பிலியன்டல‌
suburb
Piliyandala

පිළියන්දල

பிலியன்டல‌
Coordinates: 6°51′0″N 79°57′0″E / 6.85000°N 79.95000°ECoordinates: 6°51′0″N 79°57′0″E / 6.85000°N 79.95000°E
Country Sri Lanka
Province Western Province
District Colombo District
Time zone Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone (UTC+5:30)
Postal Code 10300

Piliyanadala is a suburb of Colombo city of Sri Lanka, which is situated approximately 18 km south of Colombo. It is one of the relatively more populated suburbs located in the Colombo District of the Western Province, Sri Lanka and it is surrounded by Moratuwa, Kesbawa, Maharagama, Pannipitiya, Bandaragama, and Kahathuduwa, which are suburbs nearby. Although previously known as a residential town, the congestion and traffic of colombo is starting to reach the heart of Piliyandala as well. Piliyandala has a thriving market in the town center (next to the clock tower) and the Kesbewa Urban Council is also placed in the Piliyandala Town.

The suburb is well known for the bus bombing, which was committed by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Outside of this event, Piliyandala is a safe town, not known for other violent events, which made the 2008 event a big shock to residents.

Piliyandala clock tower

According to local residents and documentation, Piliyandala clock tower is one of the tallest in the island rising to a height of 78 feet with a 16 foot girth. Late D. Simon Samarakoon erected this clock tower in memory of his parents Cornelis Wijewickrema Samarakoon and his wife. The foundation stone for the erection of the clock tower was laid by the then Minister of Local Government C.W.W. Kannangara on September 11, 1952. The three-tiered clock tower has been built with brick and cement and has a concrete layer on the topmost floor complete with a staircase within to reach it. The construction being completed in seven months, the clock tower was commissioned on April 30, 1953., and has been running ever since. The clock tower in existence for 50 years is considered to be of archaeological value thus providing the Piliyandala town with a historical background.[1]

Education

Piliyandala Central College, the first national sports school of Sri Lanka is situated in this suburb. It is one of the first central colleges established by Hon. C. W. W. Kannangara and has about 5000 students. This school provides facilities for sports such as Rugby, Carrom, Cricket, Football, Girls' Football, Chess, Wushu, Badminton, Karate, Swimming, Athletics, Basketball, Volleyball and Netball. Other popular schools in the area include;[2]

Demographics

Piliyandala is a Sinhala majority area; there are minor communities belonging to other ethnic groups, such as Moors and Tamils. Piliyandala has some Buddhist religious places of the Sinhalese belonging to the Theravada school. Also a new International Buddhist Center is under construction in the Piliyandala area. Buddhist religious places located in Piliyandala area includes;

Transportation

Two major roads run through of Piliyandala. The road connecting Colombo and Horana, known as the 120 bus route and the road connecting Mountlavinia and Kottawa (the 255 bus route). The beaches of Mountlavinia are a 15-30 minute drive away from Piliyandala town.There are other bus routes from Maharagama to Piliyandala, Bandaragama to Pilyandala(the 162 bus route).

Bus Routes travelling via Piliyandala

Bus Routes terminating at Piliyandala

References

  1. ↑ "Homage to 50 years old clock tower". Daily News. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  2. ↑ "School Information". Piliyandala Education Zone. Retrieved 5 July 2014.