Ja-Ela

Ja-Ela (Sinhala: ජා-ඇල, Tamil: ஜா-எல) is a town, located approximately 20 km (12 mi) north of the Colombo city centre. Ja-Ela lies on the A3 road which overlaps with the Colombo – Katunayake Expressway at the Ja-Ela Interchange.

Ja-Ela
ජා-ඇල
ஜா-எல
Suburb
A Stretch of the Ja-Ela town through the culverts of Negombo-Colombo Road
A Stretch of the Ja-Ela town through the culverts of Negombo-Colombo Road
Ja-Ela is located in Sri Lanka
Ja-Ela
Ja-Ela
Coordinates: 7°4′0″N 79°53′36″E
CountrySri Lanka
ProvinceWestern Province
DistrictGampaha District
Government
 • Urban CouncilJa-Ela Urban Council
 • MayorShammika Dias (UPFA)
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (SLST)
Postal code
11350
Area code011
Websitewww.jaela.ds.gov.lk

Etymology

The etymology of the name is uncertain, and there are several yet arguable interpretations of the name. Howbeit, based on verified historical shreds of evidence, the etymology of the place, Ja Ela is based on both Malay and Sinhala languages. "Ja" and "Javan" are referential terms used by the Sinhalese, Moors & Tamils to address the Malays/Javanese or those of Indonesian descent and the term "Ela" is derived from Sinhala language meaning stream, lake or canal.[1]

Local government council

Ja-Ela is administered by the Ja-Ela Urban Council.

Populations

32,175

Demographics

Majority of the people from Ja-Ela are generally Sinhalese, along with other minority communities such as Tamils, Muslims and Burghers.

The following table summarises the population of Ja-Ela DS Area which covers both urban sectors and rural sectors, according to ethnicity (2011 Census)

EthnicityPopulation % of Total
Sinhalese186,08592.3%
Sri Lankan Moors8540.423%
Sri Lankan Tamils8,0424%
Indian Tamils1,2360.613%
Burghers3,4531.71%
Bharatha450.02%
Sri Lankan Malays1,2390.614%
Sri Lankan Chetty1200.06%
Others4470.22%
Total201,521100%

Source: Department of Census and Statistics, 2012[2]

Transport

This suburb is situated on the main road A3, between Colombo municipality and Negombo municipality. Ja-Ela is situated very close to the Bandaranaike International Airport. There is also a bus stand in Ja-Ela which provides access to Colombo, Negombo, Gampaha. The traffic issues at Ja-Ela have been reduced after the introduction of the Colombo – Katunayake Expressway, which serves an interchange at Ja-Ela.

Railway

The Ja-Ela railway station is located on the Puttalam line and was opened in 1908. It is the fourth station on the line and is 22.15 km (13.76 mi) from Colombo Fort railway station. The station provides commuter access to the Colombo, Putlam and Chilaw areas. Not only the station is in the heart of the Ja- Ela town and also it is the nearest station to the Negombo - Colombo Main road. Therefore, it known as one of the most popular stations in the area.

Schools
  • King's International College - Kapuwatta[3]

Geography

Climate
Climate data for Ja-Ela, Sri Lanka
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 30
(86)		 31
(88)		 33
(91)		 34
(93)		 34
(93)		 32
(90)		 32
(90)		 32
(90)		 32
(90)		 31
(88)		 30
(86)		 29
(84)		 32
(90)
Average low °C (°F) 22
(72)		 22
(72)		 24
(75)		 26
(79)		 26
(79)		 25
(77)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 23
(73)		 22
(72)		 24
(75)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 16
(0.6)		 19
(0.7)		 22
(0.9)		 63
(2.5)		 54
(2.1)		 87
(3.4)		 130
(5.1)		 140
(5.5)		 111
(4.4)		 192
(7.6)		 141
(5.6)		 71
(2.8)		 1,046
(41.2)
Average precipitation days 1 1 2 3 3 2 3 4 5 8 7 4 43
Source: World Climate Guide. To check the current Weather - Visit: https://www.worldweatheronline.com/ja-ela-weather/western/lk.aspx

References
  1. Careem, Tuan M. Zameer.(2017). Persaudaraan (Brotherhood). Malay Life in Sri Lanka (2nd ed). Colombo: S Godage & Brothers. Print
  2. "Population by divisional secretariat division,sex and sector" (PDF). statistics.gov.lk. Department of Census and Statistics. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  3. "King's International College". King's International. King's Care. Retrieved 16 February 2019.


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