Pinwatta

Pinwatta () is a coastal town in the Panadura Divisional Secretariat of Kalutara District, in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. It is situated on the country's south-western coast, south of Panadura.

Government records identify two Grama Niladhari divisions bearing the name: Pinwatta, numbered 696, and Pinwatta West, numbered 696B.

Administration and population

Pinwatta is administered as part of the Panadura Divisional Secretariat Division. In local government, Pinwatta is designated as Ward No. 20 of the Panadura Pradeshiya Sabha.

According to population data used by the Department of Census and Statistics for 2012, Pinwatta Grama Niladhari Division had a population of 3,356, while Pinwatta West had a population of 2,209. The two divisions therefore had a combined population of 5,565.

2004 Indian Ocean tsunami

The coastal part of Pinwatta was affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. Pinwatta West was one of 17 affected Grama Niladhari divisions recorded within the Panadura Divisional Secretariat Division.

The Department of Census and Statistics recorded 392 housing units in the affected census blocks of Pinwatta West. Of these, 31 were completely destroyed, 15 were damaged and could not be used, 171 were damaged but remained usable, and 175 were recorded as not damaged.

Transport

Pinwatta is served by Pinwatta railway station on the Coastal Line of Sri Lanka Railways. The station is located between Panadura and Wadduwa, approximately by rail from Colombo Fort.

The town is also connected to Panadura and other coastal settlements by the main road running along Sri Lanka's south-western coast.

Education and religion

Educational and religious institutions in Pinwatta include Pinwatta Primary School and Saddharmakara Vidyayathana Pirivena. Both institutions have been used as official polling locations.

Saddharmakara Vidyayathana Pirivena is a Buddhist educational institution established in 1900. Its centenary was commemorated by a Sri Lankan postage stamp issued in 2000.

The Panadura Divisional Secretariat also identifies Buddhist monks associated with Pinwatta, including Pinwatta Siriseelananda Thero and Pinwatte Wimalakeerthi Thero, among prominent Buddhist clergy connected with the history of the Panadura area.

Recreation

Pinwatta Beach was associated with the early development of surfing among Sri Lankan residents. During the late 1960s, a group of pioneering local surfers used the beach as one of their regular surfing locations because of its waves and proximity to Colombo.

Public services

The Panadura Divisional Secretariat lists a police station in Pinwatta.

Pinwatta

Bron en licentie