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 a Somali Sheikh Yusuf bin Ahmad al-Kawneyn. The town was originally named Berbereen in honour and respect of the Somali Shaikh.{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lwAmCgAAQBAJ |title=Notes On Entering Deen Completely: Islam as its followers know it - Talib Jaleel - ßĘČ Google |date= 11 July 2015|accessdate=2021-12-25|last1=Jaleel |first1=Talib }} The Chinese also traded here and Beruwala was known to them as Piehlo-li.{{cite journal|title=Journal of the Sri Lanka Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society|publisher=Sri Lanka Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society|volume=30-32|date=1985|page=78}}{{Cite web|date=2020-05-28|title=Top Places To Visit In Beruwala During Your Sri Lanka Holiday|url=https://pickyourtrail.com/blog/places-to-visit-in-beruwala-srilanka/|access-date=2021-12-25|website=pickyourtrail|language=en-US}}

The first Muslim settlement of Sri Lanka was in Beruwala which is situated in the Western coastal area of the Island.{{Cite web|last=Devapriya|first=Uditha|date=2019-06-26|title=The Muslims of Sri Lanka|url=https://udithadevapriya.medium.com/the-muslims-of-sri-lanka-e15cef33f104|access-date=2021-12-25|website=Medium|language=en|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019141132/https://udithadevapriya.medium.com/the-muslims-of-sri-lanka-e15cef33f104|url-status=dead}} Beruwala was named "Berbereen" in the past in honor of Yusuf bin Ahmad al-Kawneyn who is also known as Shaykh Abu Barakat al Barbari, a Somali Muslim scholar and a traveler who founded the city.{{cite web|author=Frederick R.Ramont |url=http://www.worldgenweb.org/lkawgw/slm-intro.htm |title=brihist |publisher=Worldgenweb.org |date= |accessdate=2021-12-25}}

As a result of Arabs arriving and settling down in the western coastal areas of Sri Lanka such as Beruwala between the 10th to 12th centuries AD, Beruwala became a popular city for Unani medicine.{{cite web|url=https://iim.cmb.ac.lk/about-unani-section/ |title=About – Unani Section {{pipe}} Institute of Indigenous Medicine |publisher=Iim.cmb.ac.lk |date= |accessdate=2021-12-25}} During the 10th century Prince Jamal-ud-din, the son of Sultan of Konya arrived in Beruwala to practice Unani medicine. Eventually, Unani medicine was spread to many other parts of Sri Lanka and Unani Physicians can still be found in Beruwala and around Sri Lanka at present.{{cite web|url=https://iim.cmb.ac.lk/about-unani-section/ |title=About – Unani Section {{pipe}} Institute of Indigenous Medicine |publisher=Iim.cmb.ac.lk |date= |accessdate=2021-12-25}}

As a result of the relationship between the Muslims and the Sinhalese, Sri Lanka has had a Muslim Ruler called Vathimi Raja, also known as Vathimi Deiyo, who reigned in Kurunegala for a brief period during the 14th century.{{cite web|url=https://www.missionislam.com/knowledge/srilanka.htm |title=The Muslims in Sri Lanka |publisher=Missionislam.com |date= |accessdate=2021-12-25}}{{cite web|url=https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/kandyan-kings-unani-medicine-and-buddhist-extremists/ |title=Kandyan Kings, Unani Medicine And Buddhist Extremists |publisher=Colombo Telegraph |date= 14 April 2013|accessdate=2021-12-25}} Vathimi Raja was a son of Buvanekabahu I, who married a Muslim spouse from Beruwala, the daughter of one of the chiefs.{{cite web|url=https://www.islamawareness.net/Asia/SriLanka/srilanka_article0001.html |title=Sri Lanka |publisher=Islamawareness.net |date= |accessdate=2021-12-25}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4N5UAgAAQBAJ&dq=Vathimi+Raja&pg=PA23 |title=The Encyclopedia of the Sri Lankan Diaspora - Google Books |isbn=9789814260831 |accessdate=2021-12-25|last1=Reeves |first1=Peter |year=2013 |publisher=Editions Didier Millet }} Vathimi Raja was first seen by the Arab traveler Ibn Batuta during his visit to Sri Lanka in 1344 while Vathimi Raja's son Parakrama Bahu II (Alkeshwara II) was a Muslim while the lineage of Alkeshwara Kings was ended in 1410.

The Vathimi Rajapura Housing Scheme in Beruwala was built in memory of Vathimi Raja and opened in the 1980's by the local Member of Parliament Alhaj M. A Bakeer Markar when he was then Speaker of the Parliament. M. A Bakeer Markar was once the acting Head of State of Sri Lanka, for a brief period in 1981, when President J. R. Jayewardene and Prime Minister Ranasinghe Premadasa left for England to attend the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer.{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.lk/opinion/Deshamanya-Bakeer-Marker--a-man-worth-emulating/14-722915 |title=Deshamanya Bakeer Marker, a man worth emulating {{pipe}} Daily FT |publisher=Ft.lk |date= |accessdate=2021-12-25}}

Alhaj M. I. M Naleem, a gem merchant and local philanthropist contributed much for the development of Islamic culture, tradition, and education in Beruwala, and he was also the founder of Naleemiah Institute of Islamic Studies.{{cite web |url=http://www.seu.ac.lk/researchandpublications/symposium_fia/2016/Abstract%20naleem%20haji%20.pdf |title=CONTRIBUTION OF NALEEM HAJIYAR (SRILANKA) AND B.S.ABDURRAHMAN (TAMILNADU) FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MUSLIM'S EDUCATION OF THEIR COUNTRIES - A COMPARATIVE STUDY

|author=M.S.M. Jalaldeen |date= |website=www.seu.ac.lk}}

Beruwala is a predominantly Muslim town. Islam is the main religion of Beruwala. The population of Beruwala is predominantly Sri Lankan Moors with the Sinhalese being the largest minority, followed by other ethnic groups including Sri Lankan Tamils, and Burghers.But Beruwala DS Division area is Sinhala Buddhist majority.

Ethnicity according to Beruwala DS Division Area (2012)

{{bar box

| title = Ethnicity in Beruwala DS Division area

| titlebar = #ddd

| left1 = Population

| right1 = Percent

| float = right

| bars =

{{bar percent|Sinhalese|#FFFF00|64.18}}

{{bar percent|Sri Lankan Moors|#009000|34.59}}

{{bar percent|Sri Lankan Tamils|#FF8000|0.93}}

{{bar percent|Indian Tamils|red|0.15}}

{{bar percent|Others|#0080FF|0.15}}

}}Source:[https://web.archive.org/web/20070610120717/http://www.statistics.gov.lk/census2001/population/district/t002c.htm statistics.gov.lk]

Climate

The climate in Beruwala is tropical. A significant amount of rainfall can be seen in Beruwala during the year. According to Köppen and Geiger, this climate is classified as Af. The average annual temperature is 26.3 °C | 79.3 °F in Beruwala. April being the warmest month, December has the lowest average temperature during the year in Beruwala.{{Cite web|title=Beruwala climate: Average Temperature, weather by month, Beruwala water temperature - Climate-Data.org|url=https://en.climate-data.org/asia/sri-lanka/western-province/beruwala-717691/|access-date=2021-12-25|website=en.climate-data.org}}

• Ketchchimalai Mosque, one of Sri Lanka's oldest mosques, constructed by Arab traders.
• Masjid Al Abrar, claimed to be the first Muslim Mosque of Sri Lanka, built in 920 ADs, presumably by Arab traders who frequented Sri Lanka by sea.
• Barberyn Lighthouse, lighthouse on Barberyn Island.

Beruwala is served by the A2 highway, which runs past the town.

Beruwala railway station, is in the Coastal Line, connecting Colombo to Matara and Beliatta.

Beruwala Fishery Harbour is in the coastal stretch of Beruwala which is a naturally protected area used by merchant vessels for hundreds of years as a Port. It is said that the current Fishery Harbour could have been used as a port since the British Ceylon period.{{cite web|url=http://www.cfhc.gov.lk/Harbour_Beruwala.php |title=Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation |publisher=Cfhc.gov.lk |date= |accessdate=2021-12-25}}

The Fishery Harbour in Beruwala was initially constructed in 1965 by the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation. And since 1972 the maintenance and operations of the Fishery Harbour is carried out by the Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation.{{cite web|url=http://www.cfhc.gov.lk/Harbour_Beruwala.php |title=Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation |publisher=Cfhc.gov.lk |date= |accessdate=2021-12-25}}

Education institutions in Beruwala have a long history. Beruwala has many schools some of which are government-owned, and others are private. Beruwala has got the first and the oldest Muslim girls School in Sri Lanka which is Al Fasiyathul Nasriya Muslim Balika Navodaya Vidyalaya situated in the coastal area in Maradana, Beruwala.{{Cite web|title=Al Fasiyathul Nasriya Muslim Balika Navodaya School, Maradana Road Beruwala, Beruwala (2021)|url=https://www.schoolandcollegelistings.com/LK/Beruwala/1532321323748618/Al-Fasiyathul-Nasriya-Muslim-Balika-Navodaya-School|access-date=2021-12-25|website=www.schoolandcollegelistings.com|language=en}} The school was heavily damaged by the tsunami-Indian Ocean earthquake and was repaired subsequently. An Islamic University is situated in Beruwala which is known as Naleemiah Institute of Islamic Studies also known as Jamiah Naleemiah was established in 1974 which provides seven years of Islamic Curriculum along with the Government curriculum.

• Al Fasiyathul Nasriya Muslim Balika Navodaya Vidyalaya{{cite web|url=http://edudept.wp.gov.lk/SchoolListDetailsGENX.php?recordID=2409 |title=DSIS |publisher=Edudept.wp.gov.lk |date= |accessdate=2021-12-25}}
• Al Humaisara National School{{cite web|url=http://edudept.wp.gov.lk/SchoolListDetailsGENX.php?recordID=2406 |title=DSIS |publisher=Edudept.wp.gov.lk |date= |accessdate=2021-12-25}}
• Ariyawansha Maha Vidyalaya{{cite web|url=http://edudept.wp.gov.lk/SchoolListDetailsGENX.php?recordID=2291 |title=DSIS |publisher=Edudept.wp.gov.lk |date= |accessdate=2021-12-25}}
• Beruwala Buddhist Junior School{{cite web|url=http://edudept.wp.gov.lk/SchoolListDetailsGENX.php?recordID=2292 |title=DSIS |publisher=Edudept.wp.gov.lk |date= |accessdate=2021-12-25}}
• D. S. Senanayake National School{{cite web|url=http://edudept.wp.gov.lk/SchoolListDetailsGENX.php?recordID=2282 |title=DSIS |publisher=Edudept.wp.gov.lk |date= |accessdate=2021-12-25}}
• I. L. M. Samsudeen Vidyalaya{{cite web|url=http://edudept.wp.gov.lk/SchoolListDetailsGENX.php?recordID=2414 |title=DSIS |publisher=Edudept.wp.gov.lk |date= |accessdate=2021-12-25}}
• Massala Primary School{{cite web|url=http://edudept.wp.gov.lk/SchoolListDetailsGENX.php?recordID=2319 |title=DSIS |publisher=Edudept.wp.gov.lk |date= |accessdate=2021-12-25}}
• Naleem Hajiar Muslim Balika Vidyalaya (National School){{cite web|url=http://edudept.wp.gov.lk/SchoolListDetailsGENX.php?recordID=2408 |title=DSIS |publisher=Edudept.wp.gov.lk |date= |accessdate=2021-12-25}}
• Zam Refai Hajiar Maha Vidyalaya (National School){{cite web|url=http://edudept.wp.gov.lk/SchoolListDetailsGENX.php?recordID=2411 |title=DSIS |publisher=Edudept.wp.gov.lk |date= |accessdate=2021-12-25}}

Local government

Beruwala is governed by an urban council.{{cite web|url=http://www.21cmcc.org.cn/English/thecommittee/members/202012/t20201208_606.htm |title=Beruwela Urban Council, Sri Lanka _ Members _ 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee |publisher=21cmcc.org.cn |date=2020-10-19 |accessdate=2021-12-25}} Beruwala Urban area was previously divided into two as Beruwala Western Urban Area and Beruwala Eastern Urban Area. It was during the year 1950 both Western and Eastern Urban areas were merged into one urban area initiated by M. A. Bakeer Markar who was a proctor of the Supreme Court at the time who also became the president of the Kalutara Bar Association and who became the chairman of Beruwala Urban Council in the year 1950.{{Cite web |date=2021-05-07 |title=ජාතික සමඟි‌යේ සංකේතයක් වූ එම්. ඒ. බාකීර් මාකාර් |url=https://archives1.silumina.lk/2021/05/08/%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%92%E0%B7%81%E0%B7%9A%E0%B7%82%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%82%E0%B6%9C/%E0%B6%A2%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%9A-%E0%B7%83%E0%B6%B8%C2%AD%E0%B6%9F%E0%B7%92%E2%80%8C%E0%B6%BA%E0%B7%9A-%E0%B7%83%E0%B6%82%E0%B6%9A%E0%B7%9A%E0%B6%AD%E0%B6%BA%E0%B6%9A%E0%B7%8A-%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%96-%E0%B6%91%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8A-%E0%B6%92-%E0%B6%B6%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%9A%E0%B7%93%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%8A-%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%9A%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%8A |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=සිළුමිණ |language=si}}

The chairman and council members are elected through local government elections held once in four years. During the past, the Council has been controlled by the United National Party and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. Following the 2018 Local Authority elections, an independent alignment supported by former chairmen Mazahim Mohamed, Marjan Faleel MP and former chairman of Beruwala UC, and Milfer Caffoor former chairman of Beruwala UC won the elections.{{Cite web|title=Local Authorities Election 2018 Results - Sri Lanka {{pipe}} Adaderana|url=http://www.adaderana.lk/local-authorities-election-2018/division_result.php?dist_id=Kalutara&div_id=Beruwala%2520Urban%2520Council|access-date=2021-12-25|website=www.adaderana.lk}} Mazahim Mohamed was subsequently appointed the chairman and Munawar Rafaideen as vice chairman of Beruwala Urban Council.

The Council Government provides sewer, road, and waste management services. The urban council liaises with the water supply and drainage board, the Ceylon electricity board and telephone service providers for water, electricity, and telephone utility services.

City limits

Beruwala is divided into nine wards or divisions.{{cite web |url=http://www.lgpc.gov.lk/web/images/wardmaps/kalutara/04_Kalutara_BeruwalaUC.pdf |title=Ward Map of Beruwala Urban Council - Kalutara District |date= |website=www.lgpc.gov.lk}}

Beruwala is twinned with:

• {{flagicon|UK}} Reading, United Kingdom{{cite web |url=http://www.reading.gov.uk/council/town-twinning/ |title=Reading - Town Twinning |access-date=2013-07-14 |work=Reading Borough Council |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509063652/http://www.reading.gov.uk/council/town-twinning/ |archive-date=2013-05-09 }} [2004]

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Municipalities and Urban areas of Sri Lanka}}

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Category:Seaside resorts in Sri Lanka

Category:Populated places in Western Province, Sri Lanka