Nauththuduwa
Nauththuduwa is a village in the Kalutara District of the Western Province of Sri Lanka. It is situated within the Matugama Divisional Secretariat approximately from Colombo.
The village is located in an agricultural area predominantly cultivating rubber, coconut, and tea crops. It lies within the Kalu Ganga river basin.
Etymology
The name "Nauththuduwa" includes the Sinhala word "duwa" meaning "island". Alternate spellings include,- Nauththuduwa
- Nawattuduwa
- Navuttuduva
- Nawuththuduwa
- Navuththuduwa
- Nawaththuduwa
- Nawuttuduva
- Navattuduwa
- Nawathtuduwa
- Navathtuduwa
- Navathuduwa
- Nawathuduwa
- Navuthuduwa
- Nawuthtuduwa
- Nawatuduwa
- Navatuduwa etc.
Geography
Location
Located at approximately, Nauththuduwa is part of the coastal lowland zone of the Western Province. It is one of 57 Grama Niladhari Divisions in the Matugama Divisional Secretariat, covering an area of approximately.The village lies within the Kalu Ganga river basin.
Climate
Nauththuduwa has a tropical rainforest climate with an average annual rainfall of about. The wettest months coincide with the Southwest Monsoon from May through October, peaking at around rainfall in October.Temperatures range from to, with humidity between 75 and 86%. Rainfall occurs on approximately 267 days per year.
History
In the 15th century, the area was part of Pasdun Korale, a division within the Kingdom of Kotte. Colonial rule began in 1505 with the Portuguese, succeeded by the Dutch in 1655, then the British in 1796. During the British era, plantation agriculture, including rubber cultivation, was established in the region.Demographics
Population data for Nauththuduwa at the Grama Niladhari Division level has not been published. The Matugama Divisional Secretariat reported 26,991 registered families in a 2020 government survey.Economy
The economy of Nauththuduwa is based on agriculture with rubber, coconut, and tea cultivation being the primary crops. Rubber plantations in the area date to the early 20th century.Infrastructure
Transportation
Nauththuduwa is situated along the 408 Main Road, a regional road linking several rural and semi-urban locations in Western Province. This road connects Nauththuduwa to Matugama town and links to the A2 Colombo-Galle highway and the Southern Expressway via feeder roads, with the Dodangoda Interchange approximately 10 km away.Public bus services operate along the 408 Main Road, connecting Nauththuduwa with nearby towns including Matugama and Aluthgama.