Divisional Secretariat - Thanamalwila

History

Uva Province, which was a state during the Sinhala period, is a region with a long history that dates back to prehistoric times. When the British rulers divided Sri Lanka into units for their administrative convenience, the Badulla District was separated by naming the Uva Province as one administrative unit, but considering the existing convenience in terms of administration and revenue matters, it was decided to divide the Uva Province into two districts, Badulla and Monaragala, from 1 January 1960. Accordingly, the Monaragala District was formed, consisting of the Wellassa, Monaragala and Wellawaya Regional Revenue Officer Divisions, and further, based on administrative convenience, in 1972, the Wellawaya Regional Revenue Officer Division was divided and a Regional Revenue Officer Division was established as Thanamalwila (Sevalabhi Atwela, Deputy Secretary, Thanamalwila, 2013). It is also stated that at that time this land was divided into two main areas called Kongala Bimthenna Korala and Sittharam Provincial Korala.

The number of Divisional Secretariat Divisions belonging to Monaragala District, one of the two main districts of Uva Province, is 11. According to the Gazette Notification of 1992.12.01, Thanamalwila Divisional Secretariat Division, which includes 14 main Grama Niladhari Divisions, is one of them. The number of villages represented in it is 75.

The Thanamalwila Divisional Secretariat Division is located on one side bordering the Southern Province, on the other side bordering the Sevanagala Divisional Secretariat Division, and on the other side bordering the Lunugamvehera National Park and the Wellawaya Divisional Secretariat Division.

The area of ​​the Thanamalwila Divisional Secretariat Division in this administrative unit, according to the land and agro-ecological conditions, is 63,300 hectares (632.99km²). According to the agro-ecological classification, it belongs to the lowland dry zone and 90% of it consists of plains. Located between 6⁰ 26¹ 6¹¹ north latitude and 81⁰ 7¹ 51¹¹ east longitude, the land area here is 134 meters above sea level. The average temperature is 26 ⁰C -34 ⁰C. The main sources of rainfall in the area are the northeast monsoon and southwest monsoon, as well as inter-monsoon winds. Accordingly, the mean annual rainfall is 1750 mm. Red brown soil (RBE) and low humus gley soil (LHGS) are the main soil types found, and the pH value of the soil ranges from slightly acidic to neutral.

The Kirindi Oya and the Mavu Ara flowing through the area are the main watercourses, while the Mal Ara is another source of water that supplies the catchment areas. The Lunugamvehera Reservoir, which is located on the border of the division, meets the adequate water needs of the people of the Seenukkuwa division of the Thanamalwila Divisional Secretariat Division and also contributes greatly to agricultural activities. In addition, there are more than a hundred large and small tanks in the area, but agricultural activities are carried out based on the rain-fed system. The reason for this is that one part of the year receives rainfall and the other part is a dry season (May - September).

Depending on the rainfall, paddy farming and henna farming are carried out in two main seasons, Yala and Maha, and agriculture is the main livelihood in the area. In addition to paddy farming, grains such as sorghum, maize, green beans, peas, sesame, and peanuts are cultivated, and vegetables such as eggplant, tomato, chili, fish chili, mango, and pumpkin are grown commercially. Other sources of income associated with agriculture include coconut, mango, cashew, siyambal, and divul crops, as well as animal husbandry such as goats, cows, and poultry, and at least fishing activities. However, due to the lack of proper rainfall and the drying up of water sources during droughts, the people face great difficulties in agriculture.

Compared to other Divisional Secretariat Divisions, this area has very low investment and infrastructure facilities. Therefore, it is a limiting factor in the promotion of certain socio-economic activities.

Similarly, Thanamalwila Divisional Secretariat Division claims an ancient heritage in terms of religious sites. Sandagirigala Aranya Senasana, Muthumala Rajamaha Viharaya, Kotaweheramankada Devagiri Viharaya and other places of archaeological value are unique here and also have an environment that can promote tourist attractions.

Based on these difficulties and needs in the division, in order to improve the lives of the people in the division and lay the foundation for sustainable development, our office has identified the mission as “To provide a service in line with the government policies, uplift the lifestyles of the society through a planned, efficient development process consisting of proper co-ordination of resources and participation of the people.” The vision of our office, which carries the theme “Awadiyen Api Idiriyen”, is to “To be the promienet leader in government service who owned the excellent productivity crown.”.

As the main administrative unit of the area, the Thanamalwila Divisional Secretariat has set a precedent for other state institutions in its historical journey and has achieved many outstanding achievements in overcoming the economic and social difficulties in the area. Accordingly, the Thanamalwila Divisional Secretariat has won the first place at the national level in the Divisional Secretariat Management Competition held among the Divisional Secretariats in the year 2000, the National Productivity Quality Award in 2004 and the Productivity Special Merit Award in 2015. Similarly, in 2017, it was also recognized at the national level for recruiting new contributors to the Social Security Pension Scheme for the safety of future generations. Accordingly, the Thanamalwila Divisional Secretariat is an excellent state institution that provides the best service to its beneficiaries within its administrative area.

Role performed at DS