Akurana
Encyclopedia
Akurana is in the Central Province of Sri Lanka
. Akurana is hill country modern town in the Kandy
district, 120 KM (70 Miles) from Colombo
and 10 KM (6 Miles) from City of Kandy. Akurana lies between the main two towns Katugastota and Matale along the A9
high way. The traditional akurana town surrendered by Bulugohatenna,kasawatte, Telembughawatte, Hingrumudune, Neeralla, Malwanahinna,Kurugoda, Palliyakutuwa and Pangollamada villages. The traditional akurana town was converted in to Akurana Pradesiya Sabawa in late 1980s by merging the villages Alwathugoda, Duniwila, Malgamandeniya and Dippitiya.
Geographically, it is surrounded by hills and rivers. The Pinga Oya is the main river which cuts through the town. Majority of the population are ethnic Moors . Akurana belongs to the Harispattuwa Electorate. Akurana was represented in Parliament by one of the former Foreign Ministers Hon. Late. Alhaj. Dr. A C S Hameed
, for more than 33 years without interruption.
Moors
(Arab-Persian Muslim settlers) by a Sinhalese kandyan King for Helping him to heal the skin rash that he had. Other traditions claim the Saracens helped the Kandyan King against invading Dutch or Portuguese forces.
The Moors arrived in Sri Lanka in their travels across the Arabian Sea, primarily for the purpose of trade.
Language Majority of the people in the town speak Aruwi.
and Hindu
Tamil
living in peace. The Moorish community being inclusive based on religion has also assimilated many Sinhalese and Tamil converts to Islam over the centuries.
Akurana is well-known for its famous poet and scholar called "Kasawatta Alim Pulawar". His arabutamil writing are considered as an excellent literature worked carried out by a Sri Lankan moors.
districts. There are many residential construction going inside Akurana town and many high rising buildings are coming up in the town. Most of Akuranites are well known in Sri Lanka for their traditional business. Akuranites are doing business all over the island and few in foreign countries such Japan, UK, Botswana and South Africa. Most of the oversea businesses are Automobile trading. A handful of Akuranites are involved in manufacturing business. There are lots professional living in Akurana and they are engaged in their professional careers such as Doctors, Lawyers, Chartered Accountants, Professors and Scientist.
The migrant population is another important factor, contributing to the economical development of Akurana. There are many individuals and families originally from Akurana living all over the world. An especially the high migrant population lives in Europe
and GCC. The other major countries are North America, Japan, South Africa and Botswana.
Nowadays Akurana town is becoming a commercial hub in the Kandy district and is well known for its speciality in textiles, ceramic and auto-mobile businesses.
Roads:
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...
. Akurana is hill country modern town in the Kandy
Kandy
Kandy is a city in the center of Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka; it is both an...
district, 120 KM (70 Miles) from Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
and 10 KM (6 Miles) from City of Kandy. Akurana lies between the main two towns Katugastota and Matale along the A9
A9
A9, A.9, A09, A 9 or A-9 may refer to*A9 road, in several countries* A9.com, a website and search engine by Amazon.com* HMS A9, an A-class submarine of the Royal Navy* A9home, a small form factor computer...
high way. The traditional akurana town surrendered by Bulugohatenna,kasawatte, Telembughawatte, Hingrumudune, Neeralla, Malwanahinna,Kurugoda, Palliyakutuwa and Pangollamada villages. The traditional akurana town was converted in to Akurana Pradesiya Sabawa in late 1980s by merging the villages Alwathugoda, Duniwila, Malgamandeniya and Dippitiya.
Geographically, it is surrounded by hills and rivers. The Pinga Oya is the main river which cuts through the town. Majority of the population are ethnic Moors . Akurana belongs to the Harispattuwa Electorate. Akurana was represented in Parliament by one of the former Foreign Ministers Hon. Late. Alhaj. Dr. A C S Hameed
Abdul Cader Shahul Hameed
Abdul Cader Shahul Hameed was a Sri Lankan diplomat and political figure.Hameed, a member of Sri Lanka's Muslim minority, was born in the town of Kurugoda, Akurana. He became active in the United National Party and after it won elections in 1977 he became one of the highest-ranking members of the...
, for more than 33 years without interruption.
History
According to Sri Lankan history, this city was presented to early SaracenSaracen
Saracen was a term used by the ancient Romans to refer to a people who lived in desert areas in and around the Roman province of Arabia, and who were distinguished from Arabs. In Europe during the Middle Ages the term was expanded to include Arabs, and then all who professed the religion of Islam...
Moors
Moors
The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of the Maghreb region who are predominately of Berber and Arab descent. They came to conquer and rule the Iberian Peninsula for nearly 800 years. At that time they were Muslim, although earlier the people had followed...
(Arab-Persian Muslim settlers) by a Sinhalese kandyan King for Helping him to heal the skin rash that he had. Other traditions claim the Saracens helped the Kandyan King against invading Dutch or Portuguese forces.
The Moors arrived in Sri Lanka in their travels across the Arabian Sea, primarily for the purpose of trade.
Language Majority of the people in the town speak Aruwi.
Demographics
Akurana is a Moorish majority town. The Moors are all predominantly Muslim. There are sizeable communities belonging to other ethnic groups, such as Buddhist SinhaleseSinhalese people
The Sinhalese are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group,forming the majority of Sri Lanka,constituting 74% of the Sri Lankan population.They number approximately 15 million worldwide.The Sinhalese identity is based on language, heritage and religion. The Sinhalese speak Sinhala, an Indo-Aryan language and the...
and Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
Tamil
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
living in peace. The Moorish community being inclusive based on religion has also assimilated many Sinhalese and Tamil converts to Islam over the centuries.
Education
There are two national schools in Akurana namely, Azhar College and Akurana Zahira College. Akurana Muslim Balika College and Aql International Girls College are the only two Muslim girls colleges in Akurana. There are many other junior level in Akurana. Akurana is home to many English medium private schools and private vocational institute.Akurana is well-known for its famous poet and scholar called "Kasawatta Alim Pulawar". His arabutamil writing are considered as an excellent literature worked carried out by a Sri Lankan moors.
Economy
Akurana is a economically developed town compared to other towns in KandyKandy
Kandy is a city in the center of Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka; it is both an...
districts. There are many residential construction going inside Akurana town and many high rising buildings are coming up in the town. Most of Akuranites are well known in Sri Lanka for their traditional business. Akuranites are doing business all over the island and few in foreign countries such Japan, UK, Botswana and South Africa. Most of the oversea businesses are Automobile trading. A handful of Akuranites are involved in manufacturing business. There are lots professional living in Akurana and they are engaged in their professional careers such as Doctors, Lawyers, Chartered Accountants, Professors and Scientist.
The migrant population is another important factor, contributing to the economical development of Akurana. There are many individuals and families originally from Akurana living all over the world. An especially the high migrant population lives in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and GCC. The other major countries are North America, Japan, South Africa and Botswana.
Nowadays Akurana town is becoming a commercial hub in the Kandy district and is well known for its speciality in textiles, ceramic and auto-mobile businesses.
Bank
There four conventional banks and two interest-free banks are operating in the Akurana town.Hospital
Zia Hospital is the only government hospital operating in Akurana providing free health care to the public. ISS is a privately owned hospital operating Akurana providing health care services.Environmental Issues
Pinga Oya the river that goes through the Akurana town is the most polluted in river in the Kandy district. This has caused the numerous environmental issues in the area.Transport
Akurana has both public and private transport.Roads:
- A9 highway connects Akurana with Kandy & Matale cities.