Athurugiriya
Athurugiriya is a suburb of Colombo city in Colombo District, Sri Lanka. It is situated on the Kotte-Bope Road (B 240) about 15 km away from the centre of the commercial capital Colombo. This suburb is a highly sought after residential center in Colombo city.
Athurugiriya
අතුරුගිරිය அத்துருகிரிய | |
|---|---|
| Motto(s): | |
  Athurugiriya Location of Athurugiriya in Colombo District | |
| Coordinates: 6°53′32″N 79°56′34″E | |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Province | Western Province |
| District | Colombo District |
| Elevation | 30 m (100 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Suburb | 84,278 |
| • Urban | 5,799 |
| • Metro | 78,479 |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (SLT) |
| Postal Code | 10150 [1] |
History
History of the area dates back to at least 212 BC. Historic cave temple complex Korathota Raja maha Vihara located 3 km north from the city centre.
Brahmi inscriptions on the cave temple mention a dedication from the daughter of King Walagamba and a local official. This temple has two important historical inscriptions, which says this temple was offer to Maha Sanga by a daughter of Mahachula Mahatissa. Second one says one cave offered to Maha Sanga by a provincial leader call Sumana.[2]
Transport
Athurugiriya has one of the interchanges of Outer Circular Expressway, which is located at Pore, about 1 km from the city center.
The following are the major bus routes serving Athurugiriya:
- 170 - Athurugiriya - Pettah
- 190 - Meegoda / Godagama - Pettah
- 17/255 - Panadura - Kandy
- 697 - Kaduwela - Homagama
- 138/4 - Athurugiriya - Pettah
Athurugiriya is a major urban center located along the road connecting Malabe on New Kandy Road and Godagama on High Level Road. In addition, Kaduwela and Thalawathugoda are major urban centers nearby.
As a residential area
Athurugiriya is a highly sought after residential area in Colombo. Many important government office complexes; such as Sethsiripaya, Suhurupaya, Isurupaya and many other government institutions in Denzil Kobbekaduwa Mawatha; are situated within 10 km distance from Athurugiriya.
Upper-middle class housing complex Millennium City is located within 1 km from Athurugiriya.