Seeduwa (/sīðuvə/; Sinhalese: සීදුව Seeduwa pronounced [sīðuvə]; Tamil: சீதுவை Seeduwai pronounced [Cītuvai]) is a suburb of Negombo, in Katana Divisional Secretariat, Western Province of Sri Lanka. It is located on the A03 road between Colombo and Negombo.
Seeduwa is north of Colombo via E003, and north via A03, and is situated south of Katunayake, north of Ja-Ela, and west of Raddoluwa and east of Negombo Lagoon. Seeduwa has an area of . In 2012, Seeduwa had a population of 38,355 with the majority of people either Roman Catholics, Methodists or Buddhists.
Etymology
There are four theories about the origin of the name "Seeduwa":
Duwa දූව pronounced [ðūvə]) meaning "island" is given to the village as it is surrounded by the river Dandugam Oya (Attanugalu Oya), as well as canals and paddy fields, giving Seeduwa an island-like appearance. The four theories concern the beginning portion "සී" (See-) of the name Seeduwa. The name could have derived from Sinha Duwa ("සිංහදූව") pronounced [siṁhə ðūvə] derived from සිංහයන් සිටි = සිංහදූව සීදුව [=island where lions existed] ) due to the belief of past presence of lions in the village. However, there is no evidence of lions existed in Sri Lanka after 37,000 BC, which makes this theory neglectable. The name could have derived from Sinha Duwa ("සිංහදූව") pronounced [siṁhə ðūvə] derived from සිංහගේ දූව = සිංහදූව සීදුව [=Sinha's Island] ) because King Bhuwanaikabahu V gave this area to a chief named Sinha. The name could have derived from Sivu Dupath ("සිවුදූපත්") pronounced [sivu ðūpaθ] derived from දූපත් සතර = සිවුදූපත්සී දුව [= four islands] ) because there are four areas in Seeduwa (Athul Owita, Maddegoda, Vena and Maharagodalla) which are separated with small canals and paddy fields, creating the appearance of four islands. Finally, that it could have derived from Siri Duwa ("සිරිදූව")pronounced [siri ðūvə] derived from සිරිමත් දූව = සිරි දූව සීදුව [= prosperous island] ) because in the past this was a prosperous area.
History
The first historical evidence of Seeduwa occurs in the era of King Bhuwanekabahu V, when this area was given to a chief named Simha.
As Seeduwa is a village in the coastal area, which has been governed by the Portuguese, Dutch and English during their respective periods of control of the island, thus their influence is significant. Evidence from the Dutch period includes the observation tower at Amandoluwa. In 1890, a Roman Catholic church building was built in Seeduwa, for a congregation which had previously met in a small tent.
With the development occurred after establishment of open economy, this area became very significant as a result of the location in between the Investment Promotion Zone in Katunayake, and Ekala Industrial Estate. Most of the employees started to board in Seeduwa. As a result, Seeduwa got more populated.
Geography
Seeduwa is bordered from the Dandugam Oya (Aththanugalu Oya) to the South and East, while from the Negombo Lagoon to the West. It is majorly composed of land, marshes and the mangroves. Dandugam Oya (Aththanagalu Oya), and Dickwela stream, which is a natural stream starting from the river exist as the water bodies running through the village. Marshy fields are found surrounding the canal and the river. Mangrove ecosystems are found in the estuary of Dandugam Oya (Aththanagalu Oya), and along the lining of the lagoon. Most of the water is taken from ground, as per availability of ground water.
Climate
Seeduwa has a tropical monsoon climate. Temperature of Seeduwa is fairly temperate throughout the year. May and October are the months with maximum precipitation. The yearly average temperature is 29.5 °C (85.1 °F).
Government
Before 1970, Seeduwa was governed by the Andiambalama Village Council. From 1970 onwards Seeduwa has been governed by the Seeduwa Katunayake Urban Council. Its chairman is elected every five years through local government polls. Following the 2018 local government elections the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna hold the majority of the Council seats. Sarath Peiris, a United National Party politician, however was elected as chairman.
Zones
Seeduwa consists of 6 zones which includes 9 wards of Katunayake Seeduwa Urban Council. Seeduwa (/sīðuvə/) Seeduwa North Seeduwa South Amandoluwa (/amanðoluvə/) Bandarawaththe (/baṇḍāravaððə/) Bandarawaththe West Bandarawaththe East Ambalammulla (/ambəlammullə/) Mookalangamuwa (/mūkəlaṁgəmuvə/) Mookalangamuwa West Mookalangamuwa East Liyanagemulla (/liyənəgēmullə/) Liyanagemulla North Liyanagemulla South