Akkaraipattu Explained

Akkaraipattu
Native Name:Tamil: அக்கரைப்பற்று
Sinhala; Sinhalese: අක්කරපත්තුව
Settlement Type:Town
Pushpin Map:Sri Lanka
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Sri Lanka
Subdivision Type2:Province
Subdivision Name2:Eastern
Subdivision Type3:District
Subdivision Name3:Ampara
Subdivision Type4:DS Division
Subdivision Name4:Akkaraipattu Division
Government Type:Mayor-Council
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Ahamed Zackie Athaullah
Leader Party:NC
Pushpin Label Position:left
Coordinates:7.2167°N 81.85°W
Population Total:39,166 (ADS Area)
Population As Of:2012
Area Total Km2:60.00
Population Density Km2:652.8
Population Urban:30,934 (AMC Area)
Area Urban Km2:7.00
Population Demonym:Akkaralites
Established Date:1 April 2011
Established Title:Akkaraipattu Municipal Council
Governing Body:Akkaraipattu Municipal Council
Population Density Urban Km2:4,419
Population Footnotes:,[1] [2]
Leader Title1:Deputy Mayor
Leader Name1:Muhammed Casim Muhammed Yasir (NC)

Akkaraipattu (Tamil: அக்கரைப்பற்று|Akkaraippaṟṟu, Sinhala; Sinhalese: අක්කරපත්තුව|Akkarapattuwa) is a large town in the Ampara District, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka. The town is strategically located with links via the Siyambalanduwa-Ampara Road (A25) and the Colombo-Batticaloa highway (A4). Akkaraipattu is situated 441km (274miles) from Colombo.

History

During the period of British rule, Akkaraipattu was within the Batticaloa District. A Government Agent headed each district. The posts of Maniyakkara (Assistant Government Agent) and Vanniyanar (Additional Government Agent) reported to the Government Agent.. The Vanniyanar appointed two officers directly responsible for irrigation, development, and education. Under this structure, agriculture and road construction became a prominent part of the development of the Akkaraipattu area. The Vanniyanar was also responsible for appointing the chairman and members of local government organizations who would then conduct the functions of a local council including collecting taxes, civic construction, and maintaining law and order. The construction of the Gal Oya scheme, which commenced in 1949 and continues to be improved upon, further established agriculture—particularly paddy and sugar cane—as a driving economic force. Road development also continued in parallel with the development of land for agriculture.[3] The Urban Development Area of Akkaraipattu includes Akkaraipattu Municipal Council and includes 23 Grama Niladhari Divisions (GND) of Akkaraipattu Municipal Council and five GNDs from the Pradeshiya Sabha area.[4] (A GND is the smallest administrative unit in government.)

Geography

The town is located just south of the centre of the eastern coastline and can be found through the Siyambalanduwa - Damana - Ampara Road (A25) and the Colombo-Ratnapura-Wellawaya-Batticaloa Road (A4). Akkaraipattu covers an area of 48.36km2. The Urban Development Area of Akkaraipattu includes Akkaraipattu Municipal Council which covers 5.07km2.

Topography

The terrain of Akkaraipattu area rises from sea level to 39m (128feet) above sea level. The terrain has large areas that are generally level and covered with agriculture. Settlements are scattered throughout the area.

Soil types

The susceptibility of soil types to drought is a major concern in Akkaraipattu. The three main soil types in this area are: alluvial soil which has variable drainage and texture, reddish-brown soil, and Solonetz soil. The alluvial soil is generally found on flat flood plains. Poorly drained alluvial soil is grey in colour whilst soil with better drainage is coloured brown to yellowish brown. The reddish brown soil has a reddish-brown surface colour when dry and turns to a dark reddish-brown colour when wet. Solonetz soil is not a fertile soil because it has a pH value greater than 8.5.

Hydrology

Akkaraipattu has three major water tanks: Ilukkuchchenai Tank, Neethai Tank, and Thillai Aru.[5] These tanks, combined with water catchment systems, assist in supporting the paddy cultivation in the area.

Climate

Akkaraipattu is located in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. The northeast monsoon period (October–February) has the highest monthly rainfall. Conversely, the dry season months of June, July, and August have the lowest rainfall. The seasonal rain provides for the cultivation of crops during the maha[6] season. The average annual rainfall is 119mm. The lowest number of thundering days are recorded during the months of January and February whilst the highest number of days are recorded in September and October, prior to the commencement of the monsoon season.An AusAID/UN-Habitat analysis of temperature records for the years 1950–2010 reports that the highest temperatures are experienced in May, June, and July (around 34C). The lowest temperatures are recorded in the months of January and December (around 23C). The mean annual temperature is 301NaN1.[7]

Demographics

Akkaraipattu urban area is dominated by Muslims. There are also Buddhist, Hindus and Christian minorities living in the town. The majority of people in Akkaraipattu speak Tamil, with Sinhala also spoken.

Religion


Source:statistics.gov.lk

Education

Economy

Akkaraipattu acts as an agro-economic hub. Vast extents of Paddy field surround the township.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Akkaraipattu urban population census.
  2. Web site: Akkaraipattu division population census.
  3. Web site: A nation energised with Gal Oya mission. Wijeratne. L. 7 November 2017. dailynews.lk.
  4. Web site: Akkaraipattu. apecintl.org. en. 2018-08-07.
  5. Web site: Akkaraipattu Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness Plan. January 2015. www.unhabitat.lk.
  6. Web site: Paddy Statistics. www.statistics.gov.lk. 2018-10-17.
  7. "Akkaraipattu, Sri Lanka: Disaster risk reduction and preparedness plan - Towards a sustainable and resilient city." The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat 2014 Chapter 2 p13 http://unhabitat.lk/publications/disaster-risk-reduction-and-preparedness-plans/ http://unhabitat.lk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/DRRAkkaraipattu.pdf Accessed 28 July 2018