Narammala

Narammala (Sinhala: නාරම්මල, romanized Nārammala, Tamil: நாரம்மல, romanized Nāram'mala), is a major town in Sri Lanka, situated in the middle of the North Western Province, 85.3 km from Colombo, via the Colombo - Katunayake Expressway or 54 km from Negombo, via Mirigama-Nakalagamuwa Expressway. Narammala is the location of the world's first and only betel research lab and institute, which is located at Dampelessa, 3.5 km from Narammala.

According to history, the tooth relic of Gautama Buddha was brought there with the establishment of Kingdom of Dambadeniya. The Dambadeniya King's Palace is located about 9.3 km away from Narammala, in the Kingdom of Dambadeniya.

According to the 2012 census, the population of Narammala is 56,279., with an urban population of 7,513 and rural population of 48,766. The main export industry is textiles and ready-made garments. Many textile factories run by government and private institutions are located in Narammala, with the finished garments exported to Japan, USA, Germany, Australia, Singapore, India and United Kingdom.

Narammala was founded by King Vijayabahu III.

Etmology
Narammala was named because of a Golden "Na" flower, which King Vijayabahu III offered to the tooth relic of buddha on its way to the Kingdom of Dambadeniya. In Sinhalese, a golden Na flower is called "Ran Na Mala". So, King Vijayabahu III named the place where he offered the golden Na flower that way. Some time later his majesty decided to separate "Ran Na Mala" from the Kingdom of Dambadeniya, which he did. The King Vijayabahu III decided to develop Ran Na Mala separately from Dambadeniya, sometime later Tha Ran Na Mala became Ran Na Mala, and became Narammala, for ease of use.

There are three archaeological cities around Naramamala, which are, Dambadeniya (දඹදෙණිය) Yapahana (යාපහුව) and Kurunegala (කුරුණෑගල).

History
In accordance to legends, history of Narammala starts when the Kingdom of Dambadeniya was established by King Vijayabahu III (1220AD-1236AD). After leaving the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa as a safety measurement for the kingdom and the Temple of the Tooth, King Vijayabahu III shifted to Dambadeniya. Since those days the name Narammala exists. According to history, as soon as kingdom of Dambadeniya was established the sacred tooth relic of Gautama Buddha was brought. On the way it was brought, the king offered a golden Naa [Ceylon Ironwood or rose chestnut (Mesua ferrea)] flower at the place which today is known as Narammala. In Sinhala, golden Naa flower is called Ran+Na+Mala(රන්+නා+මල), which then turned into 'Na+Ran+Mala (නා+රන්+මල) for the ease of pronunciation. Hence the name; Narammala.

Climate
Narammala features a tropical rainforest climate under the Köppen climate classification. The town's climate is tropical and hot all throughout the year. The surrounding rocks play a major role in determining Narammala's weather since these rocks increase and retain the heat of the day. During the month of April the temperature can rise up to about 28.59 °C (83.46 °F). The only major change in the Narammala weather occurs during the monsoons from May to August and October to January when heavy rains can be expected. While the town does experience noticeably drier weather during January and February, it does not qualify as a true dry season as average precipitation in both months are above 155.54 mm In general, temperatures from late November to mid February period are lower than the rest of the year.

The average annual rainfall in Narammala is about 2000 mm.

Population
Narammala has a population of 56,279 according to 2012 census, with an male population of 26,973 and female population of 29,306. Here is the population of people of different nations


 * Sinhalese - 52,423
 * Sri Lankan Tamil - 399
 * Indian Tamil - 49
 * Sri Lankan Moor - 3,349
 * Burgher - 22
 * Malay - 30
 * Sri Lanka Chetty - 2
 * Bharatha - 1
 * Other - 4

Religion
Most people of Narammala are buddhists.

Dambadeniya King's Palace
Narammala Town used to be called as "Dambadeniya" in the past. It was ruled by King Wijayabahu III. Ruins of the Dambadeniya kingdom can be seen on a huge rock called Maliga Gala. This is situated about 1 km from the Kurunegala – Negombo main road closer to Narammala town. The ruins of the kings' palace, the ponds they used are still exist in that location.

Biodiversity
In 2011, Narammala had 246 ha of natural forest, extending over 50 percent of its land. In 2024, it lost 163 ha of natural forest, equivalent to 552 kt of CO₂ emissions.

Narammala town is surrounded by blocks of paddy field.

Transportation
Under the directives of MoHEH, RDA has initiated a study to find out a suitable road corridor to construct the expressway from Kadawatha to Dambulla via Narammala under Central Expressway Project. The second stage of the construction of the Central Expressway Project (CEP Project-2) from Meerigama to Narammala was launched on 2017 February 1. Subsequently, the expressway will cross Gampaha, Meerigama, Narammala while ending at Dambulla. The project has been implemented in four stages; from Kadawatha to Mirigama (37 km), Mirigama to Kurunegala (39.28 km), Pothuhera to Galagedara (32.5 km) and Kurunegala to Dambulla (60.3 km). Expressway to Kurunegala was opened on 15 January 2022. Interchanges from Mirigama are Narammala, Dambokka, Kurunegala and Yaggapitiya. Public transport was launched on 20 January 2022 through expressway.

The Narammala central bus stand, opened in 2014, has a parking capacity of about 50 buses.

Notable residents

 * Nuwandhika Senarathne - Singer and actor

Government
Narammala is governed by a Pradeshiya Sabha, the legislative bodies that preside over the third tier municipalities in Sri Lanka. Narammala Pradeshiya Sabha is located on Old Bus Station Road (New York Road), which is about 500 m from Yuki Junction, which is the main thoroughfare in Narammala.

The Narammala Pradeshiya Sabha building was opened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. It has three floors and a basement floor. The Narammala Public Library is also located in the Narammala Pradeshiya Sabha building. Some of the sections of Narammala Pradeshiya Sabha can be taken as technical section, environment section, Ayurvedic medicine section.

Education
There are several educational institutes in Narammala, which are listed below.

• Mayurapada Central College

• R/G Senanayaka National School

• Mayurapada Khanishta Vidyalaya, Narammala

• Gangegoda National School – Ganegoda, Narammala

• Meewewa National School – Meewewa, Narammala

• Aira Amarasekara National School - Panthanigoda, Narammala

• Karagahagedara Primary College – Karagahagedara, Narammala

• Lyceum International

• Narammala Primary School

• Ranawatta Primary School

• Kottapitiya Primary School

• Ruwangiri National School

• Sandeepa Pre-school (Negombo Road, Narammala)

• Nakkawatta National School

• D. B. Welagedara Central College (Malkaduwawa)