Divisional Secretariat - Kiriella

Historical background of the institution.

In the first step, this office had been a divisional secretariat sub office with a limited staff in a building owned by the department of rubber control since August, 1996.  Later it was brought to a rented building close to Rathnapura-Panadura main road.

The authority of public administration that had then been delegated to the kachcheri had later been decentralized to the divisional secretariats in 1992 under the programme of decentralizing public administration service. Under this programme, large divisional secretariats were splitted into new divisions. Making this programme very meaningful, a part of the large divisional secretariat, Kuruvita, was separated as a new division establishing. The   divisional secretariat Kiriella in 27th Octomber1998.

It was needed a grate enthusiasm to make the preset mission realistic. There was actually a challenge to serve about 32000 population in the division from womb to tomb of their lives. It was a grate target to be achieved   with a dedication and high level of public interest.

It was worthy to be mentioned that; even with the minimum level of facilities, staff and resources; this office were able to carry out all the relevant duties that a divisional secretariat was to be performed except the paying of pensions. It was a remarkable sign of the dedication of the then staff of the office.

Construction of the new building for the office complex was launched in 29th October 1999, and it was opened in 1st June 2001.

In 1999 and 2005, two graduate employments schemes were launched and the office got refreshed with new educated staff. The office was able to expand its duties to words several ends with this young blood.

It was another big challenge to the office, heavy the flood in may 2003 which covered a large area of the division destroying 197 households entirely, damaging 455 households partially and displacing about 1200 families. Following that, there were four flood affects by 2008. In each of such times, the office was able to perform an excellent duty as the main government institution in the area indicating a good skill in the field of disaster management.

The grate outcome of a long time service earned by the office was the wining of a merit award in the provincial productivity award competition in 2006.


Entering path ways

Rathnapura-Panadura (A8) main road leads to the Kiriella divisional secretariat. The division spreads between 37th k.m post and 63 k.m post from Panadura end. 43 k.m post from Panadura end depicts the main town-Idangoda of the division and near to it, the divisional secretariat is situated. The main road runs from the east to the west directions simultaneously to the river “Kalu”.

Eheliyagoda - Idangoda road grade B directly runs to the Eheliyagoda town.

Eheliyagoda-Idangoda grade B road directly connects the division to the Rathnapura-Colombo (A3) road. (Rathnapura-Colombo high level road). Anyone comes on Rathnapura-Colombo A3 road can get down at the Eheliyagoda town and must pass about 14 k.m to reach   Idangoda town. The north end of the division lies at the 5th k.m post on the Idangoda-Eheliyagoda road. Boundary of the Kalu river is the southern end of the division.

Heraniyawaka bridge across the river ‘Kalu” connects the Ayagama division to kiriella division. Idangoda-Ayagama road is another way to reach the kiriella division from Kalawana area.

There are three passenger ports which are situated at the river “Kalu”. These are the other main entrance ways to the division. They are, Velamitimulla port - connects Elapatha division to kiriella DS division through Dambuluvana, Kahawaththa GN division.

History

Historical and important places

Kabaragala Falls (Kiriella) Like a security guard in the 'Kiriella' division Conjuring visions of a gigantic elephant king  'Kabaragala Kanda' is located towards the north  As a haven for the 'Kiriella' area From the cascading waterfall called ''Kirille's pride is confirmed. The name 'Kiriella' is associated with this waterfall falling down to MIlk Color.

The temple of the fallsThe temple of the falls Among the temples located in Sabaragamuwa province, 'Elle Devalaya' is famous. Because this temple is located near Penigala Falls, it is known as the 'Elle Devalaya'. The people of the area offer sacrifices to this temple and the year 1521, this temple is named as the boundary between the kingdoms of 'Sitawaka' and 'Raigama'.

  Divisional Secretaries who have served so far Divisional Secretariat Division Boundary/Domain Boundaries and Divisional Secretariat Division MapKiriella Divisional Secretariat DivisionIt is bordered by Eheliyagoda Divisional Secretariat Division and Kuruvita Divisional Secretariat Division to the north, Elapatha and Ayagama Divisional Secretariat Divisions to the south, Ratnapura Divisional Secretariat Division to the east and Ingiriya Divisional Secretariat Division of Kalutara District to the west.    

		Nadun Raja Maha ViharaNadun Raja Maha Viharaya Located in Sabaragamuwa district, it is named as 'Kiriella Nadun Raja Maha Viharaya' as one of the five Siyam Maha Viharaya sect belonging to the main Malwatu Maha Vihara sect. King SriVikrama Rajasingha, who reigned for the last time in Lak Diva, was happy that he had written the scriptures in pearl script according to his invitation and offered a piece of land to a learned Dharmadhara monk named Karandana Deva Rakkhita Maha Sthavira to pluck 'Miyandalu' for curry. has. This is a sleepy village of about 12000 acres. Adjacent to this piece of land is the 'Nedun Raja Maha Viharaya'. The village area of Kiriella, enjoying the soothing caress of the Kalu Ganga river flowing from the Siripa site, the low lying area submerged by the overflowing water body of the Kalu Ganga, and the views of the ring of mountains surrounded by the sky high on all sides, this temple land is beautiful. It is a special fact that this temple was made of wood that was bent to withstand the river water. This temple also has the largest and most unique ivory pair in Sri Lanka. The height of this ivory pair is about 7 feet 7 inches
		Located in Kiriella Divisional Secretariat, about 6 miles from Eheliyagoda in Ratnapura District, this sacred site has a deep history. Located in Kiriella Divisional Secretariat, about 6 miles from Aheliyagoda in Ratnapura District, this sacred site has a deep history. The Rajamaha Vihara at Kiriella has been famous since the time of Rajasingha King Sitawaka the First. It is said that this temple was also isolated due to the conversion of the first King Rajasingha to Hinduism from 1581 to 1593.
		King Rajasingha I, who was impressed by the handwriting of a person named Deva Rakkhita, who lived at this time, asked him to write a Medum Sangi. King Rajasingha I, who was pleased to write the Medum Sangiya book and presented it to the king, offered a 8305-acre Nandagama to Devarakkhita Thero. This document was written and signed by Abayakon Mudianse who was appointed Sabaragamuwa Kandy district minister on royal orders. According to this document, only the Rajamaha Viharavasi monks gave inheritance to this property
		This temple has three mandirs. One of them is Tampita Vihara. The palace is made of wood. There is a wooden Buddha statue. It is placed on a seat made of bent wood. The Saman-Vishnu Deva Oshata is seen as the concept of Deva that arose in the Sita Yuga. The flower seats in the temple are made of milk garuda.
		It is believed that the tusks of Kadol elephant, King Dutugemunu's first elephant king, are buried in this temple.It is believed that the tusks of Kadol elephant, King Dutugemunu's first elephant king, are buried in this temple. It is said that later King Rajasingha I took care of this temple and did not suffer any harassment.

Divisional Secretaries who have served till now

	Mr.M.K.G.K. Nemmawaththa From 01.08.1996 To 07.10.1998
	Mr.K.K.Gunapala From 28.10.1998 To 09.02.2006
	Mr.K.V.Perera From 15.02.2006 To 18.04.2006
	Mr.M.W.Kulathilake From 19.04.2006 To 08.05.2012
	Mrs. I.R.M.P.D.Illukkumbura From 10.05.2012  To 24.08.2018
	Mr.J.L.C.K.Jayasinghe From 29.08.2018 To 22.01.2021
	Mr.H.S.Pradeep From 27.01.2021 To 12.07.2021
	Mr.S.M.D.C.Samarasekara From 13.07.2021 To 30.09.2022
	Mr.B.M.B.M.A.Batugedara From 10.10.2022 To 17.04.2024
	Mrs.W.G.C.B. Kumari Gamaethige From 18.04.2024 To Now

Divisional Secretariat Division Boundary/Domain Boundaries and Divisional Secretariat Division Map

Kiriella Divisional Secretariat Division

It is bordered by Eheliyagoda Divisional Secretariat Division and Kuruvita Divisional Secretariat Division to the north, Elapatha and Ayagama Divisional Secretariat Divisions to the south, Ratnapura Divisional Secretariat Division to the east, and Ingiriya Divisional Secretariat Division of Kalutara District to the west.