Ja-Ela

Ja-Ela ජා-ඇල ஜா-எல
Suburb
A Stretch of Ja-Ela town along the Negombo-Colombo Road
Ja-Ela
Coordinates: 7°4′0″N 79°53′36″E
Country	Sri Lanka
Province	Western Province
District	Gampaha District
Government
• Urban Council	Ja-Ela Urban Council
• Mayor	Shammika Dias (UPFA)
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (SLST)
Postal code	11350
Area code	011
Website	www.jaela.ds.gov.lk

Ja-Ela (Sinhala: ජා-ඇල, Tamil: ஜா-எல) is a town, located approximately 20 km (12 mi) north of the city centre of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Ja-Ela lies on the A3 road which overlaps with the Colombo – Katunayake Expressway at the Ja-Ela Interchange.

Etymology

The etymology of the name is uncertain, and there are several yet arguable interpretations of the name. Howbeit, based on verified historical shreds of evidence, the etymology of the place, Ja Ela is based on both Malay and Sinhala languages. "Ja" and "Javan" are referential terms used by the Sinhalese, Moors & Tamils to address the Malays/Javanese or those of Indonesian descent and the term "Ela" is derived from Sinhala language meaning stream, lake or canal.

Local government council

Ja-Ela is administered by the Ja-Ela Urban Council.

Populations

32,175

Demographics

Majority of the people from Ja-Ela are generally Sinhalese, along with other minority communities such as Tamils, Muslims and Burghers.

The following table summarises the population of Ja-Ela DS Area which covers both urban sectors and rural sectors, according to ethnicity (2011 Census)

Ethnicity	Population	% of Total
Sinhalese	186,085	92.3%
Sri Lankan Moors	854	0.423%
Sri Lankan Tamils	8,042	4%
Indian Tamils	1,236	0.613%
Burghers	3,453	1.71%
Bharatha	45	0.02%
Sri Lankan Malays	1,239	0.614%
Sri Lankan Chetty	120	0.06%
Others	447	0.22%
Total	201,521	100%

Source: Department of Census and Statistics, 2012

Transport

This suburb is situated on the main road A3, between Colombo municipality and Negombo municipality. Ja-Ela is situated very close to the Bandaranaike International Airport. There is also a bus stand in Ja-Ela which provides access to Colombo, Negombo, Gampaha. The traffic issues at Ja-Ela have been reduced after the introduction of the Colombo – Katunayake Expressway, which serves an interchange at Ja-Ela.

Railway

The Ja-Ela railway station is located on the Puttalam line and was opened in 1908. It is the fourth station on the line and is 22.15 km (13.76 mi) from Colombo Fort railway station. The station provides commuter access to the Colombo, Putlam and Chilaw areas. Not only the station is in the heart of the Ja- Ela town and also it is the nearest station to the Negombo - Colombo Main road. Therefore, it known as one of the most popular stations in the area.

Schools

• Christ King College, Tudella
• Mary Immaculate Convent, Tudella
• St. Maries College, Ja-Ela
• Jayanthi Vidyalaya, Ja-Ela
• King's International College - Kapuwatta

Geography

Climate

Climate data for Ja-Ela, Sri Lanka
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	30 (86)	31 (88)	33 (91)	34 (93)	34 (93)	32 (90)	32 (90)	32 (90)	32 (90)	31 (88)	30 (86)	29 (84)	32 (90)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	22 (72)	22 (72)	24 (75)	26 (79)	26 (79)	25 (77)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	23 (73)	22 (72)	24 (75)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	16 (0.6)	19 (0.7)	22 (0.9)	63 (2.5)	54 (2.1)	87 (3.4)	130 (5.1)	140 (5.5)	111 (4.4)	192 (7.6)	141 (5.6)	71 (2.8)	1,046 (41.2)
Average precipitation days	1	1	2	3	3	2	3	4	5	8	7	4	43
Source: World Climate Guide. To check the current Weather - Visit: https://www.worldweatheronline.com/ja-ela-weather/western/lk.aspx