Divisional Secretariat - Pelmadulla

LOCATION

Pelmadulla divisional secretariat is locate centralized in Ratnapura district of  Sabaragamuwa province. Compare with another divisional secretariat in the district, it is in twelveth position in area. It’s  area about 14674ha (146.74 km2 = 36260.25acres) and it overspread 4.46% in Rathnapura district and also 0.22% in Sri Lanka.

The geographical data of Pelmadulla divisional secretariat is mentions in following.

 North latitude              6.614605 -  6.586272,

 East longitude             80.412819  - 80.605745

 altitude                          217 - 1066 m

The Boundaries Of   Pelmadulla divisional secretariat is mention in following

HISTORY

 PELMADULLA PRE-HISTORIC ERA

Prehistoric research in Sri Lanka has been a major advancement in 1942 by Professor P,E. P. Deraniyagala's interference.

He focused his attention on the areas around Ratnapura and found a prehistoric fossil found in a gem mine in the Pelmadulla area.

From the Bulatwaththa, tools belonging to the Balangoda culture have been discovered.

ANURADHAPURA ERA

According to the "BODHIWANSHA", There was a plant of sri maha bodhi which is called " dethis phala ruha bodhi" had been planted in Ganegama

POLONNARUWA ERA

During the reign of King Vijayabahu I. It is said that he had maintained a camp in Kehelbaddala and Denawaka between the Kiribathgala and the Kuttapitiya Mountains. This place where the basin is curved was named " Dronawakra". in after " Dronawakra" was turned to " Denawaka"

KOTTE ERA

King Parakramabahu VI has built temples in the country for the sake of his parents. When he immersed himself he sacrificed a vihare at Ganegama Viharaya and sacred to Sunethra Devi

PORTUGUESE COLONIAL ERA

During the time when the Portuguese visited Sri Lanka, the leader of the Portuguese, Azavedu, had established a fort at Ganegama Viharaya. The paintings of a Portuguese soldier and two cats were found from the temple on the wall. There is evidence of a Portuguese fortress.During the time when the Portuguese visited Sri Lanka, the leader of the Portuguese, Azavedu, had established a fort at Ganegama Viharaya. The paintings of a Portuguese soldier and two cats were found from the temple on the wall. There is evidence of a Portuguese fortress.

KANDY ERA

in kandy era , the Sabaragamuwa country was divided in to 6 cantons. they were kuruvita, nawadun. kukulu, atakalan, kolonna, kadawath. Pelmadulla area was belongs to Nawadun Korale

KUTTAPITIYA COPPER SCROLL (1752)

This is the date given to King Sri Lankan King Keerthi Sri Rajasinha in 2294 AD (1752 AD), the last of which was to the Sri Pada from a Sinhalese king. The consignment of paddy fields in the 64 acres of paddy fields and over 4,000 acres of paddy fields already cultivated with tea-rubber have been received under this letter.The Kuttapitiya Viharagama has 84 duties to perform whatever is necessary in the Sri Pada and its lord and the Galpoththawala temple.

DIVISIONAL ADMINISTRATION

NAWADUN KORALE

in kandy era pelmadulla area was belongs to Nawadun korale. Nawadun korale was contained with 3 sub divisions. they were palle paththu, udapaththu and meda paththu.

PELMADULLA ASSISTANT GOVERNMENT AGENT DIVISION

According to chapter 6 of the delimitation Act No. 22/1955 dated 1955- 04-14, the Pelmadulla Assistant Government Division was established. At the time, this division consisted of 12 Grama Niladari Divisions 
1. Denawaka udakada

2. Panawenna

3. Denawaka pathakada

4. Morathota

5. Ganegama

6. Kuttapitiya

7. Lellopiṭiya

8. Marapana

9. Bopeththa

10. Hakamuwa

11. Doloswala

12 .Watapotha

after the 1974 delimitation, Doloswala and watapotha grama niladari division was assigned to the Nivithigala  assistant governmant area division

The number of Grama Niladari Divisions has increased up to 37 as at presentThe number of Grama Niladari Divisions has increased up to 37 as at present

1955- 12

1974 - 10

1985 - 18

1990 - 37

PELMADULLA ELECTORATE

Pelmadulla Divisional Secretary Division which is considered as the electoral district is spread over 3 electorates. These are Pelmadulla, Ratnapura and Nivithigala. The electorates of Ratnapura and Nivithigala existed in 1947 and in 1959 Walter Talgoda Epitomial Distribution Commission decided to make a difference. That is, the abolition of the one-sided PNC polls is being broken out of three names called Balangoda Pelmadulla and Rakwana. Voters for the Pelmadulla electorate were first voted in the polls on March 19, 1960.

PELMADULLA MINOR URBAN COUNCIL ( GAM SABHAWA)

Pelmadulla Minor urban Council and under it were Pelmadulla, Pathakada and Marapana Gam Sabhas. The early Chairmen of these villages are:

• Pallepattu, Navadunkorale - Harold Weragama,

• Nawodun Korale Medapaththuwe - W. N..M. K. Bandara

• Navadun Korale Udapattu - W. NM. Tikiri Banda

PELMADULLA LOCAL GOVERNMANT COUNCIL - PRADESHIYA SABHA

After the abolition of village councils by the Pradeshiya Sabha Act No.15 of 1987, the constituency No. 25 in the Gallinna Grama Niladhari Division belonged to the Ratnapura Municipal Council and all the remaining electorates belong to the Pelmadulla Pradeshiya Sabha. The Pelmadulla Pradeshiya Sabha is located in Rilhena and there is also a Marapana sub office.