Maddegama
Encyclopedia
Maddegama is a village in the western province, Sri Lanka
of Sri Lanka
. It is located next to the Kirindiwela-Hanwella road. (http://wikimapia.org/#lat=7.0209728&lon=80.1333761&z=18&l=0&m=s&search=kirindiwela)
The main administrative centre for the "Dompe" electorate in Gampaha
district is physically located in Maddegama at the site of the old "wake" Government Rest House.
Other villages bordering Maddegama includes: Udagama, Pallegama, Hissalla and Werahara.
Most of the land area of Maddegama are used for cultivation of rice and coconuts. They are typically small plots owned by subsistence farmers. The hilly areas are used for small rubber plantations. Maddegama is exclusively known for the large fruit trees of "gadu-guda". It also has large number of other trees such as "Rambutan" and Jack fruit.
During the time of President Premadasa a section of Maddegama was developed as an "Udagama" dedicated to teachers. This is named as the "Gurugama".
Maddegama temple known as "Maddegame Rajamaha Viharaya" is known to have a historical importance. It is said to be ging back to the time of King Walagamba. The bhodiya (bo tree) also known to be closely related to the "Sri Maha Bhodiya" at Anuradapuraya.
One of the landmarks of Maddegama is "Na-Vatiya". This is the pathway to the historical "Maligawa". The name Maligawa was given to the large house owned by the Bandaranayake family. This was originally build by the Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike
. Bandaranayake family members (Felix D. and Anura Bandaranaike) used this as the base for their political activities in the Dompe electorate.
The land around the "Maligawa" is known as the "Maligawaththa". In olden days part of this land was used as an exotic fruit garden by the Sir Solomon. This may be the reason for most of Sri Lanka's supply of the fruit "gadu-guda" (Lansium domesticum
) is coming from Maddegama.
The area of Na-Vatiya and the current AGA office is known as "wake". This is said to be a corruption of the word "waikkiya" which was the court of the Mudliar Sir Solomon (see Sri Lankan Mudaliyars
).
Western Province, Sri Lanka
The Western Province is the most densely populated province of Sri Lanka. It is home to the legislative capital Sri Jayawardenapura as well to Colombo, the nation's administrative and business center.-Districts:Basnahira is divided into 3 districts:...
of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
. It is located next to the Kirindiwela-Hanwella road. (http://wikimapia.org/#lat=7.0209728&lon=80.1333761&z=18&l=0&m=s&search=kirindiwela)
The main administrative centre for the "Dompe" electorate in Gampaha
Gampaha
Gampaha is an urban city in Sri Lanka and is the capital of the Gampaha District in Western Province, north of Colombo. Gampaha District is separated from Colombo mainly by the Kelani River.-Namesake:...
district is physically located in Maddegama at the site of the old "wake" Government Rest House.
Other villages bordering Maddegama includes: Udagama, Pallegama, Hissalla and Werahara.
Most of the land area of Maddegama are used for cultivation of rice and coconuts. They are typically small plots owned by subsistence farmers. The hilly areas are used for small rubber plantations. Maddegama is exclusively known for the large fruit trees of "gadu-guda". It also has large number of other trees such as "Rambutan" and Jack fruit.
During the time of President Premadasa a section of Maddegama was developed as an "Udagama" dedicated to teachers. This is named as the "Gurugama".
Maddegama temple known as "Maddegame Rajamaha Viharaya" is known to have a historical importance. It is said to be ging back to the time of King Walagamba. The bhodiya (bo tree) also known to be closely related to the "Sri Maha Bhodiya" at Anuradapuraya.
One of the landmarks of Maddegama is "Na-Vatiya". This is the pathway to the historical "Maligawa". The name Maligawa was given to the large house owned by the Bandaranayake family. This was originally build by the Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike
Solomon Dias Bandaranaike
Sir Solomon Dias Abeywickrema Jayatilleke Senewiratna Rajakumaruna Kadukeralu Bandaranaike, KCMG, Maha Mudaliyar, JP was the chief native representative, interpreter and adviser to the Governor of Ceylon by appointment as Head Mudaliyar and therefore was one of the most powerful personalities in...
. Bandaranayake family members (Felix D. and Anura Bandaranaike) used this as the base for their political activities in the Dompe electorate.
The land around the "Maligawa" is known as the "Maligawaththa". In olden days part of this land was used as an exotic fruit garden by the Sir Solomon. This may be the reason for most of Sri Lanka's supply of the fruit "gadu-guda" (Lansium domesticum
Lansium domesticum
Lansium domesticum, also known as langsat or lanzones, is a fruit from the family Meliaceae. The plant, which originates from western Southeast Asia. It is the provincial flower for the Indonesian province of South Sumatra.-Names:...
) is coming from Maddegama.
The area of Na-Vatiya and the current AGA office is known as "wake". This is said to be a corruption of the word "waikkiya" which was the court of the Mudliar Sir Solomon (see Sri Lankan Mudaliyars
Sri Lankan Mudaliyars
Mudali was a colonial title & office in Sri Lanka. The Portuguese colonials created the Mudaliyar class in the 17th century by enlisting natives of different castes form the coastal areas, who were most likely to serve the Portuguese masters with utmost loyalty. The Dutch continued the practice of...
).
Government Institutes
- Assistant Government Agent's office Local administrative center of the central government (Dompe Divisional Secretariat)
- Maddegama Maha Vidyalaya: High School
- Ceylon Electricity Board: Kirindiwela Depot