Negombo

Negombo මීගමුව நீர்கொழும்பு
—  City  —
Negombo
Coordinates: 7°13′0″N 79°50′0″E / 7.216667°N 79.833333°E / 7.216667; 79.833333
Country	Sri Lanka
Province	Western Province
Government
– Type	Present government is United People's Freedom Alliance(2010, 2011)
– Mayor	Mr.Antoni Jayaweera
Population
– Total	65,000
Time zone	Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone (UTC+5:30)

Negombo (Sinhala: මීගමුව [ˈmiːɡamuʋə]; Tamil: நீர்கொழும்பு [nir koɭumbu]) is a town of about 121,933, approximately 37 km north of Colombo, in Sri Lanka. It is located at the mouth of the Negombo Lagoon, about 7 km from the Bandaranaike International Airport. Negombo has a small port, and its economy is mainly based on tourism and its centuries-old fishing industry, though it also produces cinnamon,^[1] ceramics, and brass ware.

Etymology

The name "Negombo" was first used by the Portuguese, a corruption of the Sinhala name Mīgamuva(මීගමුව)."

The town is situated by the shores of a lagoon of the same name, and was a trading port during the periods of Portuguese and Dutch colonization.

History

Negombo first flourished as a center for cinnamon production in Sri Lanka. The cinnamon industry in Negombo was initiated by the Portuguese, and subsequently attended to by the Moors(Muslims). After the Portuguese were defeated by the Dutch in 1640, the Cinnamon business was kept as an key aspect of the regions economy. However, by the time the British took over in 1796, the industry was in decline. Another point of interest in Negombo is the Old Dutch Fort, which was built in 1672. It is situated near the shore and offers a glimpse into the colonization history of Negombo. However, the Fort is now in a state of disrepair. ^[2]

Negombo lagoon

Main article: Negombo Lagoon

The fishermen who are based at the Negombo lagoon live in abject poverty in shanty thatch palm villages along the water's edge. They relay mainly on their traditional knowledge of the seasons for their livelihood, using outrigger canoes carved out of tree trunks and nylon nets to bring in modest catches from September through till April.

Fishing boats in Negombo

Their boats are made in two distinct forms, oruvas (a type of sailing canoe) and paruvas (a large, man-powered catamaran fitted with kurlon dividers), and are said to have originated in the islands off the Mozambican coast; they were brought to Sri Lanka by Portuguese traders in the 17th century.

For generations the lagoon has provided the fishermen with a plentiful supply of crabs, shrimp and many of the native species of fish, but with the onset of global warming these sources of food have dwindled. The men are regularly forced to head out to the ocean to fish, often losing money in the chartering process. In recent years, the villagers have supplemented the income earned from fishing by collecting toddy, or palm sap, which is used to brew arrack.^[1]

Tourism

Negombo Beach

Negombo is an ideal place for those who want quick access to and from the country's international airport. The 100 km long canal network running through the town is still used, and outrigger canoes and modern water-craft ply this route daily, for trade and tourist purposes. Remains of colonization include the Dutch fort built in 1672, as well as centuries-old Portuguese and Dutch houses, administrative buildings, and churches. Negombo is also home to the country's second-largest fish market, the Llelama, at the north end of the town's lagoon. There are daily fish auctions, which give tourists a chance to meet the area's colourful fishermen and even organise fishing trips into the lagoon and the ocean beyond. Other nearby attractions open to visitors include Muthurajawela, which is part of a 6,000-hectare (14,826-acre) protected marshland, home to over 190 species of wildlife.

Negombo offers some of the better beaches on the west coast of Sri Lanka, and draws tourists who stop over for a day on their way to or from the airport. Some quiet stretches of the beach are maintained by the tourist hotels, while others are always busy with fishermen and their equipment. Water-sports and diving are also popular among visitors, with a few well-preserved coral reefs and a 50-year-old shipwreck (Kudapaduwa) that serves as an artificial reef for many varieties of fish.

There are also local handicraft sales on the beaches and the shops near the town.

Religion

St. Sebastian's Church in Negombo

Since the beginning of European Colonization, the township of Negombo has a majority of Roman Catholics along with Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims. Negombo has been given the name "Little Rome" due to the highly ornate Portuguese-era Roman Catholic churches such as St Marys church found within the township. The Katuwapitiya Church and the Grand Street Church are two biggest parishes in Negombo. "Agurukaramulla Pansala" is a famous Buddhist temple bringing Buddhists from all over Sri Lanka to Negombo every year.

Transport

Colombo Puttalam A3 main road go through via Negombo, there a sufficient good road system in and around Negombo . Negombo is a main hub of the Ragama - Puttalam rail road, Unfortunately the new bus complex has been not completed in so may months, so there are fewer facilities in the for passengers. Bus ride from Negombo to Colombo takes about one and half houre and costs LKR 40 in ordinary bus and LKR 80 in special air condition buses

Train Services are available from Negombo to Colombo. However the 40 km train ride can take less then one and half hours after uplift the single line to dual line from Ragama to Seeduwa , General class train ticket from Negombo to Colombo costs LKR 40.

In year 2011 August Sri Lanka Railway Department have introduced new intercity train between Chilaw to Colombo , so that train take 45 minute to reach to Colombo , it has 2 Class compartment also

Renting a minivan for airport drop/pickup can cost about LKR 1200 to LKR 2000.

Education

There are many CATHOLIC Schools in NEGOMBO City.

• Maris Stella College.
• St.Peter's College.
• St.Mari's College.
• Ave Maria Convent.
• Ave Maria Convent Branch School

See also

• Negombo Tamils
• Bharatakula
• RAF Negombo
• Place names in Sri Lanka

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "The Old Man and the Sea". Global Village. 2009-04-29. No. 1927.
2. ^ www.colombopage.co./achive_10B/Jul13_1278960348CH.php

External links

• Negombo - a large fishing town

Coordinates: 7°13′N 79°50′E / 7.217°N 79.833°E / 7.217; 79.833