Beruwala

The name Beruwala is derived from the Sinhalese word for the place where the sail is lowered. It marks the spot for the first Muslim settlement on the island, established by the Somali Sheikh Yusuf bin Ahmad al-Kawneyn, who converted the people into Islam. The town was originally named Berbereen in honour and respect of the Somali Shaikh.[2] The Chinese also traded here and Beruwala was known to them as Piehlo-li.[3]

Yusuf bin Ahmad al-Kawneyn is also credited with establishing the first Sri Lankan Muslim settlement. Which marks the spot for the first Muslim settlement on the island, established by the Somali Sheikh Yusuf bin Ahmad al-Kawneyn, .[4][5]

Beruwala, according to some historians derived its name from two Sinhala words, viz. Be (lower) and Ruwala (sail), which denotes the place where the sails of the Arab merchant vessels were lowered. When the early Arab settlers arrived by sea and on sighting a tiny islet, they, overcome with joy, cried out "Berr..Berr.." to their oarsmen of the catamarans to stop. This island called "Barberyn" adds picturesque atmosphere to the environment to the area in the sea waters in which the Barberyn Light House is currently located.[6]

A significant contribution of the Arabs in Sri Lanka, the Unani medicine system, found its way to this country through Beruwala. Tradition has it that in the 10th century, Prince Jamal-ud-din, the son of the Sultan of Konya (in Asia Minor) arrived here and practised Unani medicine. Many Unani physicians have had the honor to serve the kings in the palace at that time. For instance, Muhandiram Mohamed Odeyar who belonged to the famous Behethge clan, served as a physician to the Kandyan monarchs and even the Princes of Maldives sailed to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) for treatment from the Unani physicians.[7]

Although the Unani medicine practice has declined significantly in Sri Lanka, quite a number of them could still be found practicing in various parts of the country, including in Beruwala. The grandfather of former Speaker of Parliament, Deshamanya Alhaj M.A. Bakeer Markar was an established Unani physician of the area. Muslims used the term "Hakeem" when referring to a physician, which means literally a person of wisdom in Arabic. The 'Hakeem Villa' in Beruwala still stands as a monument to this family of Physicians.[8]

The great philanthropist Alhaj M. I. M. Naleem, who rose to prominence through the gem trade, contributed much for the development of Islamic culture and tradition, the founding of the Islamic Institute, Jamiya Naleemiya [9] being one of them, following the footsteps of his distinguished immediate predecessors such as Alhaj N. D. H. Abdul Cafoor and E. L. Ibrahim Hajiar also known as "Rubber King" who have donated their wealth for the development of education and for the welfare of the disabled and orphans in Beruwala.[10]

Beruwala has also produced a Muslim Ruler by the name of "Vathimi Raja" who reigned in Kurunegala for a brief period during the 14th century.[11] He was the son of Buvanekabahu I, by a Muslim spouse from Beruwala. He is still remembered by the people of Kurunegala as Vathimi Deiyo or Gale Bandara Deiyo. There is also a Vattimirajapura Housing Scheme, which was fittingly opened by the late Alhaj M. A. Bakeer Markar and appropriately named in remembrance of the King Vathimi. As destined, when he was then Speaker, Alhaj M. A. Bakeer Markar too was the Acting Head of Sri Lanka for a brief period in 1981, when then President J. R. Jayewardene and Prime Minister Ranasinghe Premadasa left for England to attend a Royal Ceremony.[12]

Beruwala is a Muslim majority town. Sinhalese are sizable minority.There is also small numbers of Tamils.

• Beruwala has a large population of Sri Lankan Moors, many of them gem merchants, who still live in the town particularly in the China Fort and Maradana area.
• Ketchchimalai Mosque situated in Maradana is a significant landmark of the town and one of Sri Lanka's oldest mosques. It was constructed by Arab traders on a rocky peninsula overlooking the town.
• Galapata Temple - a Buddhist temple built in the 12th Century.
• Masjid Al Abrar situated in Beruwala it is the first Muslim Mosque of Sri Lanka built in 920 AD, presumably by Arab traders who frequented Sri Lanka by sea.[13]

Beruwala is home to Al-Fasiyatul Nasriya Muslim Balika Navodaya School Maradana, which is the first and oldest Islamic girls school in Sri Lanka. It was damaged by the tsunami on Boxing Day 2004. As well as the First Islamic University of Sri Lanka "Jamiah Naleemiah" was established in Beruwela on 1974 by Great Donor Al-Haj Neleem for the betterment of Islamic Education in Muslim Society. It Consists of 7 years Islamic Syllabus as well as the Government curriculum. The library of Jamiah Naleemiah premises is known as The Largest Islamic Library of South Asia. Graduates of Naleemiah serve the country in various aspects such as in Public & Private sectors.

• Barberyn Lighthouse

• Beruwala Travel Guide