Panadura (Sinhala: පානදුර, romanized: Pānadura; Tamil: பாணந்துறை, romanized: Pāṇantuṟai) is a city in Kalutara District, Western Province in Sri Lanka. It is located approximately 27 km (17 mi) south of Colombo and is surrounded on all sides by water; the Indian Ocean, the Bolgoda Lake and river. Panadura is famed as the location of important events in the Buddhist revival movement of Sri Lanka.

Panadura
පානදුර
பாணந்துறை
Official seal of Panadura
Panadura is located in Sri Lanka
Panadura
Panadura
Coordinates: 06°42′48″N 79°54′15″E / 6.71333°N 79.90417°E / 6.71333; 79.90417
CountrySri Lanka
ProvinceWestern Province
DistrictKalutara District
DivisionPanadura Division
Government
 • TypeLocal Government
 • BodyPanadura Urban Council
 • ChairmanNandana Gunathilake, (UNP).[1]
Area
 • City7.00 km2 (2.70 sq mi)
 • Urban
7.00 km2 (2.70 sq mi)
 • Metro
44.00 km2 (16.99 sq mi)
Population
 • Urban
30,069
 • Urban density4,296/km2 (11,130/sq mi)
 • Metro
182,285
 • Metro density4,143/km2 (10,730/sq mi)
Language
 • OfficialSinhala and Tamil
 • AdditionalEnglish
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (Time in Sri Lanka)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+5:30 (not observed)
Postal Code
Telephone Number038

Panadura Debate edit

The Panadura Debate, held in 1873, was the climax of the first phase of the Buddhist revivalist movement which began with the establishment of the Society for the Propagation of Buddhism at Kotahena and the establishment of the Lankopakara Press in Galle. The two key persons in the Panadura Debate were Migettuwatte Gunananda Thera and Father David de Silva and the two key institutions were the Rankoth Viharaya and the Methodist Church of Panadura.[2][3] It was the success of the Panadura Debate that prompted Colonel Henry Steel Olcott to come to Ceylon.

Demographics edit

Panadura is a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic city. The Sinhalese make the majority in the city. Muslims are the second largest group in the city. Others include Sri Lankan Tamils, small numbers of Indian Tamils, Burgher and Malay.

Ethnicity in Panadura edit

Ethnicity in Panadura (2012)
Population Percent
Sinhalese
71.03%
Muslims
28.70%
Sri Lankan Tamils
1.50%
Indian Tamils
0.50%
Others
0.30%

Source:statistics.gov.lk.

Transport edit

Road edit

Pandura is located at the junction of the A2 (Galle Road) and the A8 (Panadura-Ratnapura Road).

Rail edit

Panadura railway station is located to the east of the town, and is located on the Coastal line.

Bus edit

Due to Panadura being situated along Galle Road, it is serviced by many bus routes terminating at Panadura as well as ones heading further south.

Health care facilities edit

"Kethumathi" (Sinhala: කේතුමතී කාන්තා රෝහල) is the fourth largest hospital in the country, dedicated for Obstetrics and Gynecology. It is situated at the centre of Panadura, 10 m (33 ft) from the A2 road. This hospital is a comprehensive with neonatal ICU and has a 300 bed capacity. A grade-1 Base hospital situated near the Panadura police station facing A2 road. Apart from this there are wide range of health care facilities run by the Government. There is an Ayurvedic Treatment Centre in Pallimulla, Panadura.[4]

Public and private schools edit

  • Bauddhaloka Maha Vidyalaya Panadura
  • Good Shepherd Convent Pandura
  • Panadura Balika Vidyalaya Panadura
  • Nalluruwa Siri Seevali Maha Vidyalaya
  • St Anthony’s Boys School
  • St Anthony’s Girls School
  • Pinwatta Maha Vidyalaya
  • Jeelan Central College (National School)
  • Jeramies Dias Kanishta Vidyalaya
  • Kuruppumulla Sri Prakrama Vidyalaya
  • Dibbedda Gunawardena Kanishta Vidyalaya
  • Upadya Kanishta Vidyalaya
  • Bekkegama Kanishta Vidyalaya
  • Methodis’t Primary School
  • Malamulla Maha Vidyalaya
  • Thotawatta Al Fahriya central Muslim madya maha vidyalaya
  • Ikra international College
  • House Of Scholars
  • Ambalanduwa Ilma Muslim Vidyalaya

Notable individuals edit

References edit

  1. ^ "President". පාණදුර නගර සභාව. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  2. ^ Ranatunga, D. C. (2003-08-24). "That controversial clash". sundaytimes.lk. The Sunday Times. Retrieved 2016-09-19.
  3. ^ Wimalaratana Anunayake Thera, Prof. Bellanwila (2010-10-03). "Rankoth Vihara - The hallowed Buddhist Shrine of Panadura". sundayobserver.lk. The Sunday Observer. Retrieved 2016-09-19.
  4. ^ Centre Panadura, Ayurvedic Treatment. "Ayurvedic Treatment Centre - Panadura". ayurvedic-treatment-centre-panadura.business.site. Retrieved 2021-12-28.

External links edit