SRI LANKA FFDERATION OF ITALIAN FRIENDSHIP
 E-mail: info@amicizia-it.org


                      Ashini                     


      
      

As stated by archived documents, before the year 1815, GAMPAHA was a dense forest. The 5th governor of Ceylon, Sir Edward Barnes made a visit to Gampaha in 1825, in his visit to observe the construction work of Colombo-Kandy road. The British colonists built Henarathgoda railway station in 1864 which act as a key factor for the progress and recognition of the town. In year 1867, the first rubber tree of Sri Lanka was planted in Henarathgoda botanical garden, nearby Gampaha.

Although rambutan fruit is a stranger to our land, from the day when the seeds were planted in Sri Lanka has become a unique aspect of the culture of Sri Lanka. Legend has it that the Portuguese had a fort in Malwana and found that the soil in the Kelani Valley was ideal for the system to flourish.

The KALANIYA RajamahaViharaya, which is a great place of pilgrimage ,is situated on the west bank o f the river Kelani (Kalyana) about 10 km north east of Colombo.The main approach to the Vihara is the road that leads to Biyagama from the 4th mile -post of the Colombo-Kandy road. Yet another approach road runs off from the Kandy road at Torana Junction, Not far from the 5th mile post .The temple is sited on a higher plain overlooking the river Kelani that flows in front.