Ja-Ela

Ja-Ela (Sinhala: ජා-ඇල, Tamil: ஜா-எல) is a suburb of Colombo, located approximately 20 km (12 mi) north of the Colombo city centre. Ja-Ela lies on the A3 road which overlaps with the Colombo – Katunayake Expressway at the Ja-Ela Interchange.

Ja-Ela

ජා-ඇල
ஜா-எல
A Stretch of the Ja-Ela town through the culverts of Negombo-Colombo Road
Ja-Ela
Coordinates: 7°4′0″N 79°53′36″E
CountrySri Lanka
ProvinceWestern Province
DistrictGampaha District
Government
  Urban CouncilJa-Ela Urban Council
  MayorShammika Dias (UPFA)
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (SLST)
Postal code
11350
Area code(s)011
Websitewww.jaela.ds.gov.lk

Etymology

The etymology of the name is uncertain, and there are several yet arguable interpretations of the name. Howbeit, based on verified historical shreds of evidence, the etymology of the place, Ja Ela is based on both Malay & Sinhala languages. "Ja" and "Javan" are referential terms used by the Sinhalese, Moors & Tamils to address the Malays/Javanese or those of Indonesian descent and the term "Ela" is derived from Sinhala language meaning stream, lake or canal.[1]

Local Government Council

Ja-Ela is admistered by the Ja-Ela Urban Council.

Economy

The economy in Ja-Ela consists of commercial enterprises, office and industrial employment.

Shopping malls

Movie theatres

  • Cinemax 3D
  • Vista Lite 3D

Demographics

Majority of the people from Ja-Ela are generally Sinhalese, along with other minority communities such as Tamils, Muslims and Burghers.

The following table summarises the population of Ja-Ela DS Area which covers both urban sectors and rural sectors, according to ethnicity (2011 Census)

EthnicityPopulation% of Total
Sinhalese186,08692.3%
Sri Lankan Moors8530.423%
Sri Lankan Tamils8,0424%
Indian Tamils1,2360.613%
Burghers3,4531.71%
Bharatha450.02%
Sri Lankan Malays1,2390.614%
Sri Lankan Chetty1200.06%
Others4470.22%
Total201,521100%

[2]

Transport

This suburb is situated on the main road A3, between Colombo municipality and Negombo municipality. Ja-Ela is situated very close to the Bandaranaike International Airport. There is also a bus stand in Ja-Ela which provides access to Colombo, Negombo, Gampaha. The traffic issues at Ja-Ela have been reduced after the introduction of the Colombo – Katunayake Expressway, which serves an interchange at Ja-Ela.

Railway

The Ja-Ela railway station is located on the Puttalam line and was opened in 1908. It is the fourth station on the line and is 22.15 km (13.76 mi) from Colombo Fort railway station. The station provides commuter access to the Colombo, Putlam and Chilaw areas.Not only the station is in the heart of the Ja- Ela town and also it is the nearest station to the Negombo - Colombo Main road. Therefore, it known as one of the most popular stations in the area.

Buses

  • Colombo - Ja-Ela : Route 187
  • Negombo - Ja-Ela : Route 240
  • Gampaha - Ja-Ela : Route 276
  • Colombo Fort - Ja-Ela : Route 187/1
  • Ragama - Ja-Ela : Route 264
  • Nittambuwa - Ja-Ela : Route
  • Ganemulla - Ja-Ela : Route 266
  • Raddolugama - Ja-Ela : Route

Schools

  • Christ King College - Thudalla
  • De Mazenod College - Kandana
  • G. B. Senanayake M. Vidyalaya - Ekala
  • Holy Rosary Vidyalaya - Dehiyagatha
  • Jayanthi Vidyalaya - Ja-Ela
  • King's International College - Kapuwatta[3]
  • Mary Immaculate Convent - Thudalla
  • OKI International School - Hapugoda
  • St. Mary's College - Ja-Ela
  • St. Xavior Vidyalaya - Waewala

Geography

Climate

Climate data for Ja-Ela, Sri Lanka
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 30
(86)
31
(88)
33
(91)
34
(93)
34
(93)
32
(90)
32
(90)
32
(90)
32
(90)
31
(88)
30
(86)
29
(84)
32
(90)
Average low °C (°F) 22
(72)
22
(72)
24
(75)
26
(79)
26
(79)
25
(77)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
23
(73)
22
(72)
24
(75)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 16
(0.6)
19
(0.7)
22
(0.9)
63
(2.5)
54
(2.1)
87
(3.4)
130
(5.1)
140
(5.5)
111
(4.4)
192
(7.6)
141
(5.6)
71
(2.8)
1,046
(41.2)
Average precipitation days 1 1 2 3 3 2 3 4 5 8 7 4 43
Source: World Climate Guide. To check the current Weather - Visit: https://www.worldweatheronline.com/ja-ela-weather/western/lk.aspx

References

  1. Careem, Tuan M. Zameer.(2017). Persaudaraan (Brotherhood). Malay Life in Sri Lanka (2nd ed). Colombo: S Godage & Brothers. Print
  2. http://www.statistics.gov.lk/pophousat/cph2011/Pages/Activities/Reports/District/Gampaha.pdf
  3. "King's International College". King's International. King's Care. Retrieved 16 February 2019.


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