Ja-Ela
{{more footnotes|date=March 2016}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Ja-Ela
|native_name = ජා-ඇල
ஜா-எல
| settlement_type = Suburb
| motto =
| image_skyline = Jaela5.jpg
| imagesize = 250px
| image_caption =A Stretch of Ja-Ela town along the Negombo-Colombo Road
| image_flag =
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| pushpin_map = Sri Lanka
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|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = Sri Lanka
|subdivision_type1 = Province
|subdivision_name1 = Western Province
|subdivision_type2 = District
|subdivision_name2 = Gampaha District
| government_footnotes =
| leader_title = Urban Council
| leader_name = Ja-Ela Urban Council
| leader_title1 = Mayor
| leader_name1 = Shammika Dias (UPFA)
| unit_pref = Metric
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| timezone = SLST
| utc_offset = +5:30
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| coordinates = {{coord|7|4|0|N|79|53|36|E|region:LK|display=inline}}
| elevation_footnotes =
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| postal_code_type = Postal code
| postal_code = 11350
| area_code = 011
| website = {{URL|http://www.jaela.ds.gov.lk/}}
| footnotes =
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Ja-Ela ({{langx|si|ජා-ඇල}}, {{langx|ta|ஜா-எல}}) is a town, located approximately {{convert|20|km|abbr=on}} north of the city centre of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Ja-Ela lies on the A3 road which overlaps with the Colombo – Katunayake Expressway at the Ja-Ela Interchange.
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 and 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.Careem, Tuan M. Zameer.(2017). Persaudaraan (Brotherhood). Malay Life in Sri Lanka (2nd ed). Colombo: S Godage & Brothers. Print
Local government council
Ja-Ela is administered by the Ja-Ela Urban Council.
Populations
32,175
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 (2012 Census)
class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto;" | ||
Ethnicity | Population | % of Total |
---|---|---|
Sinhalese | 186,086 | 92.34% |
Sri Lankan Moors | 853 | 0.423% |
Sri Lankan Tamils | 8,042 | 4% |
Indian Tamils | 1,236 | 0.613% |
Burghers | 3,453 | 1.71% |
Bharatha | 45 | 0.02% |
Sri Lankan Malays | 1,239 | 0.614% |
Sri Lankan Chetty | 120 | 0.06% |
Others | 447 | 0.22% |
Total | 201,521 | 100% |
Source: Department of Census and Statistics, 2012{{cite web |title=Population by divisional secretariat division,sex and sector |url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/pophousat/cph2011/Pages/Activities/Reports/District/Gampaha.pdf |website=statistics.gov.lk |publisher=Department of Census and Statistics |access-date=29 June 2022}}
Religious composition in Ja-ela DS Division according to 2012 census is as follows Roman Catholics 99,515-49.38%, Buddhists 87,772-43.55%, Other Christians 7,746-3.84%, Hindus 4,235-2.10%, Muslims 2,115-1.05%, Others 138-0.07%.
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 {{convert|22.15|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Colombo Fort railway station. The station provides commuter access to the Colombo, Putlam and Chilaw areas. Not only is the station in the heart of the Ja- Ela town, it is also the nearest station to the Negombo-Colombo Main road. Therefore, it is known as one of the most popular stations in the area.
Schools
- Christ King College, Tudella
- Mary Immaculate Convent, Tudella
- St. Maries College, Ja-Ela
- Jayanthi Vidyalaya, Ja-Ela
- King's International College - Kapuwatta{{cite web |title=King's International College |url=http://www.kicsl.com/ |website=King's International |publisher=King's Care |access-date=16 February 2019}}
Geography
= Climate =
{{Weather box
|location = Ja-Ela, Sri Lanka
|single line = yes
|metric first = yes
|Jan high C = 30
|Feb high C = 31
|Mar high C = 33
|Apr high C = 34
|May high C = 34
|Jun high C = 32
|Jul high C = 32
|Aug high C = 32
|Sep high C = 32
|Oct high C = 31
|Nov high C = 30
|Dec high C = 29
|year high C = 32
|Jan low C = 22
|Feb low C = 22
|Mar low C = 24
|Apr low C = 26
|May low C = 26
|Jun low C = 25
|Jul low C = 24
|Aug low C = 24
|Sep low C = 24
|Oct low C = 24
|Nov low C = 23
|Dec low C = 22
|year low C = 24
|Jan precipitation mm = 16
|Feb precipitation mm = 19
|Mar precipitation mm = 22
|Apr precipitation mm = 63
|May precipitation mm = 54
|Jun precipitation mm = 87
|Jul precipitation mm = 130
|Aug precipitation mm = 140
|Sep precipitation mm = 111
|Oct precipitation mm = 192
|Nov precipitation mm = 141
|Dec precipitation mm = 71
|year precipitation mm = 1046
|Jan precipitation days = 1
|Feb precipitation days = 1
|Mar precipitation days = 2
|Apr precipitation days = 3
|May precipitation days = 3
|Jun precipitation days = 2
|Jul precipitation days = 3
|Aug precipitation days = 4
|Sep precipitation days = 5
|Oct precipitation days = 8
|Nov precipitation days = 7
|Dec precipitation days = 4
|year precipitation days = 43
|source = World Climate Guide. To check the current Weather - Visit: https://www.worldweatheronline.com/ja-ela-weather/western/lk.aspx
|date=June 2017}}
{{Geographic Location (8-way)
| Centre = Ja-Ela
| North = Seeduwa
| Northeast = Ekala
| East =Niwandama
| South= Kandana
| West = Pamunugama(Bopitiya)
}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Suburbs of Colombo}}
{{Municipalities and Urban areas of Sri Lanka}}
Category:Populated places in Gampaha District
{{WesternLK-geo-stub}}