Pelmadulla Divisional Secretariat: History
P.E.P Deraniyagala discovered remains of homo sapiens balangodensis (Balangoda Man) in Bulathwatta, providing evidence that the region of the present-day Pelmadulla secretariat has been inhabited since prehistoric times. A number of huts were also unearthed, originally built to provide shelter for ancient carters. This gave rise to the name 'Pelmadulla' for the area, meaning cluster of huts in Sinhalese.
The temple on the Denawaka and Kehelbaddala river basin was called Dronawakka Viharaya during the reign of King Vijayabahu I. The Nampotha (a book written in the Kandy period about important Buddhist centres) mentions this temple in its 203rd entry as Denawaka Viharaya, now known as Aramanapola Raja Maha Vihara. This latest renaming is credited to monks who arrived from Arammanadesh in Myanmar. The Pelmadulla divisional secretariat was established according to the sixth chapter of the Boundary Determination Act (no 22/1955) which was issued in 1955, as an assistant government agent division. Since then, the region has seen a marked increase in Grama Niladhari divisions:
Under the Gamsabha administration, the Pelmadulla divisional secretariat was administrated under 3 Gam Karya Sabhas (staff council) and one semi-urban council. They were:
Pelmadulla semi-urban council
Pelmadulla Gam karya sabha
Pathakada Gam karya sabha
Marapana Gam karya sabha
According to Act no. 58/1992, the Pelmadulla divisional secretariat's office was installed in 1992.
Currently, the Pelmadulla Divisional Secretariat area is locally administrated by the Pelmadulla Pradeshiya Sabha (Divisional Council).
Pelmadulla Rajamaha Viharaya
Ganegama Aramunupola Viharaya
Girawatta memorial
Galpoththawala Sri Pada Viharaya
Meegahagoda Viharaya