# Kahatowita

Kahatowita(sinhala:කහටෝවිට Tamil:கஹடோவிட) is one of a village in Attanagalla electorate, Gampaha District, Western Province, Sri Lanka.

## Geography and climate

Kahatowita lies at an elevation of 37meters (121.39 ft) above sea level.North and North Eastern border of the kahatowita formed by the Attanagalla oya river. Kahatowita features a tropical rain forest climate under the Köppen climate classification. Kahatowita’s climate is normally temperature all throughout the year. Kahatowita’s average temperature is 28 degrees Celsius (82.4 degrees Fahrenheit).

## Local government administration

Kahatowita, the village is a historical village being administered by Attanagalla Divisional Secretariat. Which is one of electorate division administered under Gampaha District. It has been divided into two divisions for two different "Grama Niladari" (Village officers) for easy administration. They are Kahatowita and Kahatowita South.

## Religion

The ever first mosque of the village was built closing to Attanagalla Oya (Ovitta) in 1688. When the days goes on, the mosque had to be replaced to another area as it was affected by often flood. Now this Mosque called as Kahatowita Grand Masjidh (Muhiyiddeen Jumma Mosque). The Mosque is used for daily prayers and other religious and social activities. The second mosque Masjidun Noor was built in 1975. And later in 1997, Jamiuth Tawheed masjid was built as the 3rd Jumma Masjidh. In Early The majority of the Villagers followed Sufi Tariqas namely, Qadiriyatun Nabawiyya, badheebiyyatul Qadiriyya,Shaduliyah however the currently the most people have following the Quran and Sunnah.
Assayed Ahmed Mubarak, scholar from Hadramaut, Yemen who introduced Qadiriyatun Nabawiyya tariqa, visited Kahatowita in 1857 while As sheikh Abdullah Ibn Umar Badeeb al Yamani, a scholar from Hadramaut, Yemen visited the village In 1859 to preach Islam and to educate the people of village.Later badheebiyyatul Qadiriyya tariqa was introduced by the people in respect of his visit. He established a takkiya, near to Muhiyiddeen Jumma mosque and formed and started Zikr Majlise and Islamic Classes to attract the people towards Masjidhs. He founded Kahatowita Al-Badriya Maha Vidyalaya, the first school in Kahatowita in 1891. He was also a founder of Zahira College, Colombo. The people who followed Shaduliya tariqa was brought to the village by As sheikh Ibrahimul Makki in 1928. He opened a zaviya in Kahatowita.

## Education

There are two government school in Kahatowita. They are, Al-Badriya Maha Vidyala and Kahatowita Muslim Balika Vidyala. Al- Badriya Maha Vidyala founded in 1891 by As sheikh Abdullah Ibn Umar Badeeb al Yamani. It later advanced government school in 1920. Al-Badriya Maha Vidyalaya provides education up to GCE Advanced Level.
Kahatowita Muslim Balika Vidyalaya was established in 1946. Muslim Balika School provides education for Muslim girls up to GCE Ordinary Level. Badeebiyya Arabic school is also another Non-governmental (Arabic) College in kahatowita. Which provides Islamic religious education as well. Muaskarurrahman Ladies Arabic college provides Islamic religious education to Muslim women. Mustafawiyyah Ahadiya school (Daham Pasala) established in 2006 and which provides basic Islamic education for students. Kahatowita shows a literacy rate of 98%.

## Notable persons from Kahatowita

* Al-Haj Mohamed Macky, District judge, Gampaha High Court.
* Al-Haj M.M.M Mohamed, Deputy Commissioner of Examinations Department.
* Al-Haj M.Z.Ahmed Munawwar, Ex-director (Muslim service) and Senior broadcaster, SLBC
* Al-Haj Siraj M Sajahan, Editor Navamani, Ex-Reporter Thinakaran Lake house,
* Brother M.A.M Najeeb Deen- Member of Attanagalla Pradesiya Saba-UNP, Justice of Peace Gampaha District
* Al-haj Moulavi Ijlan - (Qaasimi) Ex- Katheeb Colombo Grand Mosque, Director Badibiyya Arabic College, writer O/L Islam subject
* Al-haj Boosari Saalih- (BA Hons) - Ex-lecturer Eastern University, Adviser to Islam and Islamic Civilization subject G.C.E (A/L) & (O/L)
* Mr. A.S Mohamed, Additional Election Commissioner.
* M.A.N.Fazhan - News editor and broadcaster, SLBC
* Assheikh A.M.M.Abdus Salam (Falahi)- All Time Famous Katheeb of Sri Lanka.
* Al Haj Silmy - MLT (Base Hospital, Wathupitiwala)
* Al Haj M. Aslam (Naleemi) - LLB, Attorney at Law.
* Al Haj M.N.M Jowsy - Justice of Peace, High Command Member - Sri Lanka Muslim Congress
* Al Haj M. Ismail - Proprietor, Suisse Gold House & RPN Car sale