Gampaha District - Kelaniya
Kelaniya is a small town very close to Colombo and is situated between Peliyagoda and Kiribathgoda on the Colombo Kandy Road and covers a very wide area. Kelaniya proper however is about 3 Kim. away from the Colombo Kandy Road and is situated on the Banks of Kelani River and can be approached to on Peliyagoda Biyagama Road The Kelaniya Railway Station is however in very close proximity to the Colombo Kandy Road. Kelaniya has a long history running down to the time of the Buddha (5th century BC). It has become famous because of the historic Buddhist Temple built on the banks of Kelani River. ( River Kelani got it’s name because it is passing through Kelaniya). Kelaniya is also associated as the capital of a provincial king Kelani Tissa ( 1st BC) whose daughter , Vihara Maha Devi was the mother of king Dutu Gemunu the most illustrious and revered King among the 186 or so kings of Sri Lanka who ruled Sri Lanka between 5th Century BC up to 1815 . Buddhists of Sri Lanka believe that Lord Buddha visited Kelaniya once in order to quell a quarrel between two leaders of two warring factions. The names of the two leaders are Chulodara ( Small bellied One) and Mahodara (Big bellied one). They were quarrelling for a chair full of jewels. Lord Buddha brought them to their senses and preached the futility of their quarrel. They became Buddhists and both of them thereafter offered the Chair to the Buddha. It is believed that the Dagoba (Pagoda) still seen was built with the chair as a relic inside. Around the 15th century, Kelaniya has been described in the Sandesa Kavyas as a beautiful city. Of late Kelaniya Temple has become famous because of the beautiful paintings of Solias Mendis depicting various events in the history of Sri Lanka. Thousands of Buddhists come to see the Buddhist Pageant of Kelaniya popularly referred to as Duruthu Maha Perahera of Kelaniya in the month of ovember/December every year. University of Kelaniya is situated near the Colombo Kandy Road at Kelaniya
