Divisional Secretariat - Pathahewaheta

Physical Location
This division is located in a Southerly direction in Kandy district of Central Province. It is bordered by the Gangawata Divisional Secretariat on the North and West while Delthota Divisional Secretariat on the South. This division is bounded by the Hanguranketha Divisional Secretariat belongs to Nuwara Eliya district and by the Maoya which divides the Pathahewaheta Divisional Secretariat to the East.

Covering an area of 84.26 square Kilometers, it stretches between 500-1500 m above sea level. This area located between latitudes 07-08 and 07-16 and longitudes between 80-37 and 80-96. Division is an agricultural area with a hilly and sloping rapid drainage pattern. Paddy cultivation as well as vegetable cultivation has strengthened the farming economy of the fertile area with the contribution of agriculture. Administration flows to the village from 73 Grama Niladhari Divisions.

Environmental and Cultural Profile
The Hanthana mountain range brings great ecological beauty to the division and contributes greatly to change the climate and weather conditions in local level. The constant flow of Thalathuoya through the city makes the city an attractive place.

Kandy Sri Dalada Perahera also natures culture with associated arts and artists. Artists associated with Uduwela Art generation have been remained throughout the division, recognizing the Sri Lankan cultural identity at home and abroad. The village of Neelawala is a field of art like a paradise of brass and silver carvings. Sagama Raja Maha Vihara is the first Raja Maha Vihara in the list of Raja Maha Viharas in Sri Lanka. The division has religious significance because of having situated Pasgama, Hanthana and Thalawa Raja Maha Viharas. The Kiribada Patra Pooja or Aluth Sahal Mangalya centered on the Sagama Raja Maha Vihara has added a unique cultural value. Pasgama Sri Natha Devala and its annual procession is another unique cultural feature based on the rural devalas.

Pathahewaheta has been mentioned nominally in various ways at different times. Namely Sagam Dora, Sagam Rata, Sagam Nuwara, Sagama, Sagama Gam Danaya. Harispattuwa Medawala inscription will testify to this. Also, later Egoda Potha and Megoda Potha, Egoda Pane and Megoda Pane, Egoda Thirty and Megoda Thirty.

Analyzing the historical information, the names of Hewaheta Divisional Secretariat are described as having different views. According to the boundary books such as “ the boundary book of Sri Lanka” and “The boundary book of Three Sinhala “, this area is Ruhuna.  Ruhuna has forty two countries. Four of the five countries belong to Hewaheta. Namely, “Sagama Rata” , “Pasgam Rata” , “Goda Rata” and “Mathurata”. This is based on the area of “Sagam Rata” and “Pasgam Rata” in the Pathahewaheta Divisional Secretariat. Here, the ten service villages of “Sagam Rata” can be referred to as the “Gam Deke Korale” and the “Pasgam Rata Hewavissa Korale” Consisting of the twenty service villages. Villages that are made up of Professionals belonging to different service types who serve a particular village are identified as “Service Villages”.Analyzing the historical information, the names of Hewaheta Divisional Secretariat are described as having different views. According to the boundary books such as “ the boundary book of Sri Lanka” and “The boundary book of Three Sinhala “, this area is Ruhuna.  Ruhuna has forty two countries. Four of the five countries belong to Hewaheta. Namely, “Sagama Rata” , “Pasgam Rata” , “Goda Rata” and “Mathurata”. This is based on the area of “Sagam Rata” and “Pasgam Rata” in the Pathahewaheta Divisional Secretariat. Here, the ten service villages of “Sagam Rata” can be referred to as the “Gam Deke Korale” and the “Pasgam Rata Hewavissa Korale” Consisting of the twenty service villages. Villages that are made up of Professionals belonging to different service types who serve a particular village are identified as “Service Villages”.

Since the Pathahewaheta Divisional Secretariat is presently located in Thalathuoya town, it is important to consider the historical information and folklore of Thalatuoya town. The presently Thalatuoya was originally known as “Thalatuwa”. Even today the ancients call it “Thalatuwa” and the word “Thalatuoya” has come to be used instead of “Othuwa”.

Also, folklore is an interesting literary element that cannot be ruled out here. Thalatuoya begins from the Hanthana Mountain range. It flows near the “Hanthana Raja Maha Vihara” and joins the “Mahaweli” river from “Gurudeniya” by supplying water to the paddy fields of “Athulgama”, “Uduwela”, “Nahiniwela”, “Thalatuoya”, “Batagalla” and “Weldambala” Villages. Meanwhile, in the past, while a group of women were harvesting in the “Uduwela” paddy field, there was a sudden downpour of rain and wind. 

At that time it was common for palm branches to hold over the head for rain. Due to a strong wind that day, some palm branches were carried away with water in the “oya” .They shouted that “palm branches are carrying away with water”. The “Oya” where palm branches were carried away with water became “ Thal Athu Oya” and later became known as “Thalathuoya”.

I note with gratitude the contribution of Mr. H.M.A.B Herath of Godamunna and Mr. T.B Weerasinghe of Hewavissa in compiling this information.

Nature of Duties of the Secretariat

• Institutional office work
• Constitutional nisi work
• Coordinating work
• Development work
• Social services work
• Work relevant to land
• Strengthening divisional management & improving work development