Nugegoda

Nugegoda නුගේගොඩ நுகேகொடை
—  Suburb  —
Nugegoda
Coordinates: 6°52′31″N 79°53′32″E / 6.87528°N 79.89222°E / 6.87528; 79.89222
Country	Sri Lanka
Province	Western Province
District	Colombo District
Government
- Mayor
Time zone	Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone (UTC+5:30)
Postal Code	10250[1]

Nugegoda is one of the most densely populated suburbs of Colombo. It is in the border of Sri Jayawardenapura Municipal Council Limits and Dehiwela Mt. Lavinia Municipal Council Limits, just outside Colombo City Limits. Central Nugegoda is a collection of densely packed shops and mixed residential areas. This has contributed to a significant level of traffic congestion. Nugegoda, similar to other cities in Sri Lanka, has not seen planned development and hence has very few public parks or squares.

History

Nugegoda was a minor village a few decades ago but has seen a high degree of growth and development recently. There has been a huge increase in buildings and a great reduction in trees and green areas. Agricultural lands like paddy fields (still present in the early 1990s) have largely been used for building and development. At present, a number of educational institutes are found here, such as Anula Vidyalaya and the Infamous Rotary Tuition Classes.

On 29 November 2007, more than 25 civilians were killed and more than 50 were injured when a bomb believed to be planted by members of the LTTE terrorist group exploded outside a clothing store at a traffic junction near Nugegoda. The Defence Ministry said shops and several private vehicles were damaged, and the hospital spokeswoman said more casualties were feared.

A newly created flyover has been constructed and open for public usage on 23 January 2009. The first stage is directed towards Maharagama - Colombo. The Government says the second stage will be started in the near future.^[2]

Economy

Nugegoda is a consumer hotspot especially during the festive seasons. Nugegoda is also famous for its high quality cloth stores near the infamous Bogaha Junction in the Highlevel Road which sits besides a famed Bo tree. Nugegoda is also the hub city of Sri Lanka's number one book store chain Sarasavi Bookshop. The Nugegoda "Pola" is one of the major markets in Sri Lanka full of various vegetables, fruits, fish & meats, it's active throughout the week. The "Sathi Pola" in the Delkanda borough is probably one of the most acclaimed markets in Sri Lanka. The weekly market takes place on every Sunday besides the Highlevel road and has any agricultural product one can ask for.

Despite the unplanned development the Nawala Road has earned a reputation for the best Tiles, Granites & Marbles in Sri Lanka. Stanley Tillekeratne Mawatha is becoming a center of the Automobile industry. The Highlevel road & the remainder of the Stanley Tillekeratne Mawatha are full of various commercial activities.

The Open University of Sri Lanka is situated in the borough of Nawala and Nugegoda also hosts University of Sri Jayewardenepura one of the leading universities in the island. The Mirihana borough hosts the Mirihana Police Station which host the Communication Division HQ of Sri Lanka Police as well as the offices of DIG Western Province South and SSP Nugegoda.

References

1. ^ http://mohanjith.net/postal_codes/western/colombo/10250-nugegoda.html
2. ^ "Flyovers at flying speed". Lakbima News. 2010-07-18. http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=31256622&postcount=381. 

Coordinates: 6°52′19″N 79°53′27″E / 6.872042°N 79.890776°E / 6.872042; 79.890776