About Us
History of Seethawakapura
Seethawaka was a capital city during King Rajasinghe 1 In 16th century.
According to Ramayana yatra in Sri Lanka, Seethwaka is one of the places where Princess Sita
was kept by King Ravana after abduction and the name “SeethWaka” (Area of Sita) has derived
with Ramayana trail of Lanka Pura.Hewainna used to be where arm forces of king Rajasinghe
(1) lived.
Avissawella, is a township in Sri Lanka, governed by an Urban Council,
situated on the A4 route from Colombo to Ratnapura, Colombo District, Western Province, Sri
Lanka, approximately 40km air distance and 48.1 km road distance from east of capital
Colombo. It is also known as Seethawakapura.
It is on the periphery of the Western Province on its border with the
Sabaragamuwa Province.
This town has a rich and proud history in the annals of its military exploits against the
Portuguese invaders as it was the capital of Sitawaka Kingdom from 1521 to 1593. Seethawaka
was ruled by King Mayadunne and later his son Rajasinghe the First during this period. There
is a lore that Rajasinghe was parricide but some historians discount this as a story spread
by jealousy.
Avissawella is the junction from where the oldest land route to the Hill
Country via Hatton and the road down South via Ratnapuradivege. The Kelani Valley Railway
line was originally built from Colombo to Yatiyanthota via Avissawella during 1900-1902. It
was branched off at Avissawella and extended up to Opanayaka via Ratnapura (completed in
1912). Originally it was built as a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow-gauge line to serve the rubber
plantations in the area. The railway line between Avissawella and Yatiyanthota was removed
in 1942, and the line from Homagama to Opanayaka abandoned in 1973. The railway services
were restarted up to Avissawella in 1978 and is now a broad gauge line.
Avissawella has few tourist attractions. Kumari waterfall (Kumariella)
is very famous since it is only few kilometers from the capital city.
The town is governed by the Seethawakapura (formerly Avissawella) Urban
Council.
During the past, this area was known as Seethawaka and this name is used
to identify a section of this town to this day. There are folklore which relate this name to
“Seetha Devi” of Ramayanaya fame. Seethawaka legend has become richer because of these
stories. Seethawaka river, a tributary of the Kelaniriver, flows in the outskirts of the
city. The city is rapidly transforming into an industrial city with the establishment of
thSeethawaka Export Promotion Zone (industrial zone) during late 1990s. after this Zone was
established, the population of Avissawella increased rapidly due to migrant workers and
resultant increase in residents.
