Gleanings:

Nostalgia: Nugegoda Revisited

K S Sivakumaran

The township Nugegoda has developed fast as a mini-city even to be included as the 16th zone in the capital of little Lanka.

Glossing over the 192 pages and even reading the main texts of the recent book titled 'Nugegoda: Glimpses of the Past', I couldn't help reminding myself what a deal of information I have missed all this while even though Nugegoda is only a hop-step-and jump from where I live.

The credits go to H M Mervyn P Herath ably supported by Jagath C Savanadasa in authorship and editing. Sarasavi Publishers have brought out this book.

We learn that Banyan trees (the Nuga) were in abundance in what is now known as Nugegoda and Nugeng Egoda was its former name.

The main author says that a lot of research has gone into the production of this informative and interesting book; and it is evident from the unknown details found in it.

The book has the following heads: Where Heads Rolled, The Reservoir, The Circular Road, Shady Grove, Kandawatte, Chapel on the Hill, A Touch of Holland, An Enchanting Wildwood of Birds, bees and Berries. Some knowledgeable people have added more information providing special articles. They include Jagath C Savanadasa, Baldwin Perera, Evans Melder, Gwen Edema and Bona Ekanayaka. The book is understandably dedicated to the past, present and future citizens of Nugegoda. The black and white photos are standing evidence of what Nugegoda had been in the past.

Let me quote the first paragraph of the article on the Nugegoda town. It sets the tone of the purpose of writing this book:

" The Nugegoda Town one time a marshland surrounded by elephant infested forest of Nuga trees and canals and teeming with crocodiles was also known as Fibulas Handily.

It is said that howling of jackals was heard in the nights and the Nawala canal had been the bathing spot of the elephants. It has been recorded that during the rainy seasons the entirety of Nugegoda and the surrounding areas were flooded and resembled a reservoir."

In fact all chapters read like interesting stories told in simple manner. That is one reason that the book is readable by anyone- school going children to senior citizens like me. In the other article on Circular Road, the writer says: "The development of the High Level Road is a watershed in the history of Nugegoda since it ushered a new economic era to the town and its surroundings."

On pages 40-41, the book talks about a couple Velupillais built a Pillayar temple in 1930 which is situated near Anula Vidyalaya.

In 1983 Velupillais cottage was set on fire. The book does not merely describe the landmarks of yesteryear but also family history of important persons in a capsule manner. That means the writing is partly history too.

[email protected]