History of Homagama
According to the records Homagama area was inhibited during the period of Sitawaka Kingdom. The area was brought under plantation industry in the 18th Century by the colonial rulers and it was under coconut, rubber and minor export crops. There were about 33 large scale estates such as mount Clifford, Silver Tersest and Mattegoda Group. Further, large extents of paddy lands were under cultivation.
The Kelany Velly Railway Line was constructed in 1908. Before constructing the High Level Road, the transportation was carried out by the minor sub roads in the area with smaller hamlets with rural Agricultural land uses. In 1918; the High Level Road was constructed via this area. The Railway Station of Homagama was named as “Pressure Town” during this era. With more intensive uses in Colombo, Economic, social and administrative functions were shifted to satellite cities and in 1948, the British Town Planner Patrick Abecombie identified Homagama as a satellite city.
In 1963, Homagama was a town council area consisted with 07 GN (Grama Niladhari) divisions. In 1988 it became a PradeshiyaSabha with 106 GN divisions. Consequently, in 1999, the GN divisions were confined to 91.
Geological Information
The red yellow podsolic soil with different texture is lying in most parts of the area belongs to the Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha. There are mineral resources of sand and clay deposits as well as the mountains with mineral deposits of “Nice” can be observed in the area. The undulating terrain ranging from 10-20 m from mean sea level is the key topographic feature in the area.
The annual average temperature in the area ranges from 600 F to 800 F. Based on the annual average rain the area can be divided two main zones as 2500 - 3000 mm and 3000 - 4000 mm. The South West Monsoon is the main source of rain in the area. The highest wind flow of 10Km/h can be observed in month of July. Homagama is located in the wet zone of Sri Lanka and consists with three sub climatic zones. Vegetation of the area falls under the tropical wet zone.
