Introduction :
The administrative district of Puttalam, situates in the North Western province of Sri Lanka and surrounded on the North by Modaragam aru Bordering Mannar district, East by Kurunegala and Anurdhapura districts, South by ‘ Ma Oya’ boardering Gampaha district and West by Indian Ocean.
The district has a land area of 3013 square Kilo meters including inland water bodies and a coastal belt of 288 Kilo meters in length. Deduru Oya, Mee Oya, Battulu Oya and Rathambala Oya, which flow through the district, have contributed immensely for the prosperity of the district in various mean.
There are three identifiable climate zones in the district. These are wet zone within Ma Oya and Deduru Oya, an area of Deduru Oya to northern boarder of the district indicate dry and semi arid nature and an area with sand and sand dunes with significance of aridity in Kalpitiya Peninsular.
Historical Background :
It was “Thambapanni” in Puttalam district where the first Singhalese’s king Vijaya firstly set his foot. So this was the place of origin of Sinhalese lineage. Further it was also the dwelling place of “Queni” who helped the Vijaya to become a King. Later, Queni shifted her dwelling to “Thonigala” in Anamaduwa division as the king Vijaya had married the princess "Bhaddrakachchana" from India. It is here the longest stone inscription of Sri Lanka also found out.
Some fossils of human who lived B.C 2000 have also been found out in the Ponparippu area at Wanathawilluwa D.S Division in Puttalam District. So the area got the historical significant too.
The Munneswaram Temple, situates in Chilaw D.S. Division is the sacred place for both Hindus and Budhdhists. There was a saying that it was the temple called by the name “Munisoama” during the rule of Dambadeniya Kingdom.
Some archeological articles have been excavated at the area belong to the “Veherabendhi kelaya ancient Rajamaha Vihara, situated adjacent to Deduru Oya within the Arachchikkattuwa D.S.Division.
The St. Ant. Thalawila church, the sacred place of Catholics is also situated in Kalpity D.S division in the district of Puttalam.
Natural Resources :
There are two kinds of Climates zones in the district. They are wet zone and dry zone.
The coconut triangular area within the Ma Oya and Deduru Oya boundary is identified as a suitable place for coconut cultivation.
The paddy is cultivated in the area adjacent to the water tank called Kottukachchi, Thabbowa, Thinipittiya, Karawitta, Kattupotha and Inginimittiya which were constructed during the rules of ancient kings.The area adjacent to Radavibandhi Ela and Neelabemma irrigation schemes have been renovated under the major irrigation management scheme and paddy is cultivated successfully.
Cashew cultivation is done in a large scale in Wanathawillu D.S. Division. The lime stones which is the raw material for cement manufacturing are available in Eluwankulam, Situates near to Vanathawillu division.
Aquatic resources such as variety of fish, leech and corals are available largely in sea area from Wennappuwa to Kalpity. The fishery industries are successfully carried out in the district. The soil of the area is suitable for vegetable cultivation also. It is one of the districts where salt are manufactured.
The prawn culture becomes very lucrative business. Large amount of foreign exchange are being earned as lagoon area of the district is suitable for prawn farming.
District Administrative Structure :
The district is administered through sixteen Divisional Secretariat Divisions. There are 548 Grama Niladhari divisions. Puttalam urban council and Chilaw uraban council are the two urban councils functioning in the district. Total Local bodies of the district are 24. Out of these 10 are Pradeesiya sabhas and 14 are sub Predeesiya sabhas.
The District Secretariat is situated at the heart of Puttalam city. In respect of power decentralization large part of administrations are carried out through the District Secretariat. The branches of various departments also housed at the District Secretariat complex. They are District Samurdhi Office, Asst. Commissioner Office for Election, Audit-sub office, District Planning office, branch of Bank of Ceylon, District Statistics office, Front office. Provincial Land Commissioner office, Coordination office of Chief Minister of North Western Province, District land use office, The World food distribution division, Motor traffic branch and branch of Social Security Board.
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