Divisional Secretariat - Badulla

Our Vision                

Excellence via Service Receivers’ Satisfaction.          

Our Mission              

Up-grading the well-being of the community in the division via  an efficient, sustainable  and planned process by providing the services according to the Government policies with community participation and resource coordination.  

                       History of Badulla Divisional Secretary Division             

When it considers on the history of Badulla Divisional Secretary Division, it is important to indicate that Badulla the capital of the Uva Province is situated in Badulla Divisional Secretary Division. There are number of archeological important places within the Uva Province which was previously known as “Wisidahas Rata”. Badulla has become really sacred,  religiously important and well known place in the Buddhist Order with three times arrival of Lord Buddha.

The historicity of the Uva Province goes to pre historical era passing the historical area of the country. It is clear that this area was colonized 20000-30000 years ago. Mahiyangana and Muthiyangana are the areas where the Lord Buddha was visited. There are many information and details in the epigraphs coming under BC era which provides witnesses on the expansion of Buddhism and establishment of Arya civilization.

With the arrival of Aryans number of livelihoods started close by the main rivers  which flows for several directions starting from the middle of the country. In ancient books it is mentioned, as the wind comes form Hakkala cleft gave the sound, “Hooowa” initially the province was named as “Hoowa” and late it was converted to “Uva”. In British governing period Uva Province was divided into two parts as lower Uva and upper Uva.

Badulla District consists of higher mountains around 7000ft height from west direction. Also it had consisted of meadows, large plains, and soppy areas. But there were well grown trees in the valley areas and poorly grown trees and shrubs in plains. There are witnesses for the civilizations in lower hilly areas around B.C. era such as caves in Bogoda, Metigahatenna and Kandewihara where Buddhist monks lived.

In Sinhala the area full of trees with shade is known as “Wadala”. In ancient time there was a large area with the shadows of trees covering this area and therefore it was called “Wadala”. Lately it was converted to “Wadula”, then to “Badula” and finally it was taken to use as “Badulla”. It is mentioned that the King Rawana Tribe “Raksha” governed this area making Badulla as the capital of the region in 505 B.C. At that season there was a huge development in Uva. Uva received protection from natural traps made by water, mountains and forests. With the debacle of King Rawana in Rama-Rawana battle the Uva region started to decline its prosperity.

                      Overview of Badulla Divisional Secretary Division         

Badulla Divisional Secretary Division is situated in the East basin of Uva. Badulla is surrounded by Medapathana Rideepana mountain range from North, Nelumgama Kendagolla Welibissa mountain range from East, Eladaluwa mountain from South and Alugolla mountain from West. There are more than 60% of sloppy areas in South, North and South west areas of the division. Accordingly, sloppiness of West of the division is in between 30-60%. These areas are susceptible of earth-slips in heavy rainy seasons.   The highest point of the Division is situated in Glenalphin Grama Niladhari Division.

Badulla the capital of Uva Province is situated in Badulla Divisional Secretary Division and it consists of 29 Grama Niladhari Divisions. It is 2225 feet above the sea level and it shows the topographic characters of Central Highlands.

Total area of Badulla Divisional Secretary Division is 51km2 and total population is 79,126. Out of that male population is 37,088 and female population is 42,038. There are 54,251 Sinhalese, 5006 Sri Lankan Tamils, 11,463 Indian Tamils, 7645 Muslims, 144 Burgers, 483 Malays and 134 coming under other category. When the population is categorized into different religious groups there are 53,571 of Buddhists, 11,285 of Hindus, 8232 of Islamic, 1332 Roman Catholics, 795 Christians and 32 from other category. Total amount of families are 21,235 and total amount of housing units are 18,329. Agriculture is the major livelihood of the community in this Division. Other than that considerable amount of the community has engaged in tea plantation, animal husbandry and self employments. There are 2612 Samurdhi stamp receivers in this Division. Muthiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya, Lindamulla Paththini Dewalya, Badulla Railway Station, Badulla Dutch Fort  and Badulla St. Mark Church are some of the historically important places in Badulla Divisional Secretary Division. (Based year – 2013)

Badulla Divisional Secretary Division is situated in the East basin of Uva. Badulla is surrounded by Medapathana Rideepana mountain range from North, Nelumgama Kendagolla Welibissa mountain range from East, Eladaluwa mountain from South and Alugolla mountain from West. There are more than 60% of sloppy areas in South, North and South west areas of the division. Accordingly, sloppiness of West of the division is in between 30-60%. These areas are susceptible of earth-slips in heavy rainy seasons.   The highest point of the Division is situated in Glenalphin Grama Niladhari Division.

Badulla the capital of Uva Province is situated in Badulla Divisional Secretary Division and it consists of 29 Grama Niladhari Divisions. It is 2225 feet above the sea level and it shows the topographic characters of Central Highlands.

Total area of Badulla Divisional Secretary Division is 51km2 and total population is 84,791. Out of that male population is 40,360 and female population is 44,431. There are 58,910 Sinhalese, 5382 Sri Lankan Tamils, 11,521 Indian Tamils, 8314 Muslims and 664 coming under other category. When the population is categorized into different religious groups there are 57,902 of Buddhists, 16,035 of Hindus, 8357 of Islamic, 952 Roman Catholics, 1429 Christians and 116 from other category. Total amount of families are 24,308 and total amount of housing units are 22,255. private sector jobs are the major livelihood of the community in this Division. Other than that considerable amount of the community has engaged in tea plantation, animal husbandry and self employments. There are 2612 Samurdhi stamp receivers in this Division. Muthiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya, Lindamulla Paththini Dewalya, Badulla Railway Station, Badulla Dutch Fort  and Badulla St. Mark Church are some of the historically important places in Badulla Divisional Secretary Division. (Based year – 2013)

           Names of the Former and Current Divisional Secretaries of Badulla Divisional Secretariat