Fondly called Ethagalpura because of its location at the foot of giant rock - Ethagala - Kurunegala lies at the apex of the coconut triangle.
The history of the city runs back to the ancient kingdom of Kurunegala - the then centre of the Sinhala monarchs who kept moving capitals in a desperate bid to avert South Indian invasions.
Many highways running to various major cities of the country meet at Kurunegala making this extra warm and humid city busy and crowded - its very location next to the massive sundrenched Ethagala accounts for the heat.
This is the third most populated district with 1.4 million people after Colombo and Gampaha. And this is the largest coconut producing area of the country. The coconut estates encompass the district, but now with the local market for coconut oils reduced - a clear victory of the propaganda machine of the multinational companies - the farmers are beginning to feel hopeless.
The entire district is not spared the socio-economic problems of the country; poor health and education facilities at village level and neglected infrastructure in the city itself and the rural area pose a huge set-back to local development.
Water for agriculture and better markets for harvest are the major issues Kurunegala is facing.
Contesting Political Parties
United National Party, United Lalith Front, Eksath Sinhala Maha Sabhava, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, National Development Front, New Left Front, People's Alliance, Democratic United National Front, Ruhunu Janatha Party, Liberal Party, Sri Lanka National Front, Sri Lanka Progressive Front, Sri Lanka Muslim Kachchi, Sihala Urumaya and Seven Independent Groups.
Registered Voters
Galagamuwa
- 84,703
Nikaweratiya - 77,522
Yapahuwa - 92,750
Hiriyala - 80,000
Wariyapola - 63,298
Panduwasnuwara - 62,636
Bingiriya - 72,990
Katugampola - 80,221
Kuliyapitiya - 82,926
Dambadeniya - 80,821
Polgahawela - 66,099
Kurunegala - 71,111
Mawathagama - 72,027
Dodangaslanda - 58,998
Total registered - 1,046,102