Maharagama Urban Council (Sinhala: මහරගම නගර සභාව, Tamil: மகாரகம நகர சபை) is the local authority for Maharagama and surrounding suburbs in Sri Lanka. The Council is responsible for providing a variety of local public services including public health and sanitation, road maintenance, garbage disposal, libraries, public parks and recreational facilities. The stated goals of the council include providing infrastructure needs, and enhancing regional economic development in a sustainable manner.
History
The Maharagama local body was established in 1963 with an area of only 5 km2 (1.9 sq mi). In 1988 this was expanded to 21 km2 (8.1 sq mi) and the body was upgraded to Pradeshiya Sabha status.
On 10 January 2002, the Maharagama Urban Council was gazetted by Alick Aluwihare, as Minister of Local Government. Accordingly, the Urban Council was granted jurisdiction over 41 Grama Niladhari divisions. The tenure of the first council began on 15 April 2002.
Geography: Maharagama Urban Council is situated in Colombo District, about 16 km (9.9 mi) south east of Colombo. It is 21 km2 (8.1 sq mi) in extent, and bordered by the Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte Municipal Council to the north and north west, Homagama to the east, Kesbewa Urban Council to the south and Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council to the west.
Wards: For electoral and administrative purposes, the Council is divided into 25 wards.
Mirihana South
Mirihana North
Madiwela
Pragathipura
Udahamulla
Thalapathpitiya
Pamunuwa
Thalawathugoda
Kalalgoda
Depanama
Kottawa West
Kottawa East
Rukmale
Makumbura
Kottawa South
Kottawa Town
Pannipitiya
Maharagama South
Maharagama North
Pathiragoda
Navinna
Gangodavila
Wattegedara
Godigamuwa North
Godigamuwa South
Grama Niladhari Divisions: The council comprises 41 Grama Niladhari Divisions
Kalalgoda
Thalawathugoda West
Thalawathugoda East
Kottawa South
Kottawa East
Kottawa City
Kottawa North
Kottawa West
Liyanagoda
Rukmale West
Rukmale East (497A)
Rukmale East (497B)
Malapalla East
Makumbura North
Malapalla West
Makumbura South
Mirihana North
Mirihana South
Madiwela
Pragathipura
Thalapathpitiya
Udahamulla East
Udahamulla West
Gangodawila South
Wijerama
Jambugasmulla
Nawinna
Pathiragoda
Maharagama East
Maharagama West
Pamunuwa
Dambahena
Polwaththa
Depanama
Maharagama City
Pannipitiya North
Pannipitiya South
Godigamuwa North (532+532B)
Godigamuwa South (532A)
Godigamuwa South (532B)
Waththegedara
Demographics: In 2014, the population was 202,557 and the council collected taxes from 77,740 properties.
Services
Health and Sanitation: The council provides the following Health and Sanitation related services.
Garbage collection and waste Management
Issuing/renewal of environmental licenses
Provision of Gully Bowsers for cleaning wastewater
Provision of Ayurvedic and Dental care
Revenue: The council provides the following certificates and licenses: Non-Acquisition Certificate
Trade License
Club License
Bicycle License
Entertainment Show License
Other revenue generation activities: Collection of council rates
Tax for industry / businesses
Leasing out advertising hoardings
Reservation of community halls and playgrounds
Allocations of crematorium time slots and cemetery burial lots
The council maintains 9 crematoriums.
Building and Industries: The council is in charge of regulating the built environment under its jurisdiction
Approvals for the subdivision of land
Approval of building plans and boundary/retaining wall designs
Issuance of Certificates of Conformity
Receiving complaints regarding approvals and dangerous trees
Libraries: The council maintains 4 public libraries, and provides the following services:
Main Library, Maharagama
Rukmale Library
Madiwela Library
Kottawa Kulasevana Library
Granting of Library membership
Mobile Library Services
Renewal of membership
Providing space for scholarship and studies.
Other Services: The council also provides the following services
Maintenance of community halls and conducting community training programs
Running 4 preschools:
Maharagama
Rukmalgama
Mirihana
Delgahawatta