Seeduwa

Seeduwa
  • සීදුව
  • சீதுவை

Suburb
Seeduwa

Location in Sri Lanka

Coordinates: 7°7′53″N 79°52′35″E / 7.13139°N 79.87639°E / 7.13139; 79.87639Coordinates: 7°7′53″N 79°52′35″E / 7.13139°N 79.87639°E / 7.13139; 79.87639
Country  Sri Lanka
Province Western Province
District Gampaha
Division Katana
Government
 • Type Urban Council
 • Mayor Dinal Perera
Area
 • Total 21.8 km2 (8.4 sq mi)
Population (2012)
 • Total 61,228
 • Density 2,808.6/km2 (7,274/sq mi)
Time zone +5.30
ZIP code 11410
Area code(s) 011

Seeduwa (Sinhala: සීදුව [sīduva]; Tamil: சீதுவை [Cītuvai])is a suburb of Negombo city, in Western Province of Sri Lanka. It is on the A03 main road between Colombo and Negombo.

It is approximately 21 km north of Colombo. It is situated south to Katunayake, north to Ja-Ela, west to Raddoluwa and west to Negombo Lagoon. Seeduwa has a land area of 21.8 km2 Most of people here are Roman Catholics and Methodists. and also there are Buddhists. There is a population of 61,228 in Seeduwa.

Etymology

There are four ideas how the name Seeduwa is formed:

Duwa (දූව [dūva] = Island) is referred because the village is surrounded with river Dandugam Oya (Attanugalu Oya), canals and paddy fields so it appears as an island.[1]

  1. There is an idea that Sinha Duwa ( සිංහ දූව [siṁha dūva] = Island of lions) became Seeduwa because there were lions in this village. But because there is not noted in Sri Lankan History that there was lions here, that idea disproves.[1]
  2. There is an idea that Sinha Duwa ( සිංහ දූව [siṁha dūva] = Island of lions) became Seeduwa because king Bhuwanaikabahu V gave this area to a chief who was named as Sinha.[2]
  3. There is an idea that Sivu Dupath ( සිවු දූපත් [sivu dūpat] = Four islands ) became Seeduwa because there are four areas in Seeduwa called Athul Owita, Maddegoda, Vena and Maharagodalla which are separated with small canals and paddy fields and appearing as four islands.[1]
  4. Another idea is that Siri Duwa (සිරි දූව [siri dūva] = Prosperous island ) became Seeduwa because from past, this was a prosperous area.[1]

History

Map of Seeduwa Katunayake UC Area

The first historical evidence about Seeduwa meets in the era of King Bhuwanaikabahu V. It is that this are was given to a chief called Sinha. And there is an evidence that proves that Seeduwa has a history more than 150 years that the Roman Catholic Church of Seeduwa was built in 1890, 125 years ago and before that there was a church which was settled under a small tent.

Local Government

The Seeduwa Katunayake Urban Council has governed the city with Mayor. The Mayor is elected through the local government election held every five years.

River

Seeduwa is surrounded from Dandugam Oya

Seeduwa is surrounded from Dandugam Oya ( Attanugalu Oya ) from east and south. Those days there was a ferry from Seeduwa to Raddoluwa crossing Dandugam Oya. It was a very popular place among the villagers. Most of the people came to bathe here. So it was very busy. Always there was even one or two swimming and playing at there in the past. There were two huge Banyan trees there which gave a cool to there. On Sundays, there were some people who was enjoying a pot of toddy and pork all the day out there on the past.[1] But now, there is a bridge built over this place and the ferry is not used.

Economy

Economy

Those day, there was a strong economy that nowadays. In 19th century, the economy of Seeduwa was based on Coconut and Cinnamon. Other than that, also on carpentry.

Money

Those days, the value of the Sri Lankan Rupee was grater than nowadays. It has made to buy something for about Rs 10.00 which was bought for Rs 0.01 those days. Before 1939, only one or two person had the ability to give Rs 10.00 for a loan. But those days even people were poor, they had the ability to live happily.

Professions

In the past, none has done a job in government or private institutions. For jobs, they have done cutting coconut, making coconut fibers, etc. And in those days, doing a job was neglected.

After the starting of schools, some has got professions as teachers, evangelists, etc. But with the start of Second World War, many people have got jobs at Katunayake Army Camp. And most of others got jobs in army and became government workers. After start of the Distillery at Seeduwa, many people got jobs. After the start of Export Promotional Zone - Katunayake, many got jobs at the factories started then. Now almost all of the village got jobs.[1]

Religions

Immaculate Virgin Mary's Church - Seeduwa

Before 17th century, most of the Seeduwa was Buddhists. An old Sanhida situated under the Banyan tree near ferry is an evidence for it.

In 17th century Roman Catholic priests came to the village and preached about the religions. So many people became Roman Catholics. In 1890, a church was built for St. Mary. Before that, there have been a church which was made under a tent. Till now, there are many Roman Catholics in the village.

In 1814, Methodist priests came here and preached about Methodist Religion and established a church. So a notable number of people became Methodists.

Gangarama Temple at Seeduwa

From the past there wasn't a peace between Catholics and Methodists. Each religion was neglected by people of other religion. In 1946, Rev. Dencil De Silva priest who was in charge of the Methodist council that time started a youth center that anyone in any religion can join. This made the peace between two religions.

United Christian Easter Rally

On 31 March 1991, there was a United Christian Easter Rally. That was a historic rally. Many Roman Catholics, Methodists, people of Assembly of Lanka-Dandugama together participated by holding banners with Bible quotes, Bands, etc. even in the rain. When the start of the rally reaches the destination, the end was at the place rally stated.[1]

Transportation

Seeduwa Railway Station

The transportation in Seeduwa is well developed nowadays. The A03 (Colombo - Puttlam road), E03 (Katunayake Colombo Expressway) lies through Seeduwa.

E03 near Seeduwa

Many bus routes which run north from Colombo runs through Seeduwa. And the Puttlam Railway Line goes through Seeduwa and there is are Seeduwa, Liyanagemulla, EPZ, Katunayake railway stations in Seeduwa Katunayake UC area.

Nowadays the transportation through waters is not done frequently. But there is a sea plane port at Dandugam Oya, Seeduwa.

The Katunayake Bandaranayake International Airport is also in the Seeduwa Katunayake UC area.

Education

At past, there were no schools at Seeduwa. But now there are some schools in the UC area.

Sports

Seeduwa is an area which is very popular to the sports. It is mainly popular to Volleyball. Seeduwa Davisamara M.V. is the most popular school for volleyball. There are many players who originated from this area.

Notable Artists

Gallery

Location of Seeduwa

Katunayake
Negombo Lagoon Raddolugama
   Seeduwa  
Dandugama/Ja-Ela Kotugoda

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Eric Herbert Wijerathne, P.D. (2003). Seeduwe Yatagiyawa. Sri Lanka: Dahana Publishers. pp. 9, 15, 27, 28, 29, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37,. ISBN 955-98550-0-X.
  2. ↑ Professor, Risiman Amarasinghe (2 December 1990). "Seeduwa Church celebrates Centenary". Messenger (Gnanartha Pradeepaya).
  3. ↑ "School Directory". Department of Education - Sri Lanka.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Seeduwa.
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