page_title: Seeduwa
section_title: Religions
hierarchical_section_title: Seeduwa / Religions
caption_attribution_description: English: Immaculate Virgin Mary's Church - Seeduwa
context_page_description: Seeduwa is a suburb of Negombo city, in Katana Divisional Secretariat, Western Province of Sri Lanka. It is located on the A03 road between Colombo and Negombo.
  Seeduwa is 20.6 km north of Colombo via E003, and 18.7 km north via A03, and is situated south of Katunayake, north of Ja-Ela, and west of Raddoluwa and east of Negombo Lagoon. Seeduwa has an area of 12.065 km². In 2012, Seeduwa had a population of 38,355 with the majority of people either Roman Catholics, Methodists or Buddhists.
context_section_description: Before the 17th century, most inhabitants of Seeduwa was Buddhists. An old Sanhida is located under the Banyan tree near the ferry.
  In the 17th century, Roman Catholic priests came to the village and many were converted. In 1890, a church was built and dedicated to Immaculata Virgin Mary, replacing a tent the congregation had met in previously.
  In 1814, Methodist ministers arrived and established a church, converted a number of people.
  During the early 20th century, relations between Catholics and Methodists were strained. In 1946, Methodist leader Rev. Dencil De Silva, who led the Methodist council, opened a youth centre to people of any religion, easing some of the religious tension in the region.  Now all live in peace and harmony.
  Present day, the majority is Roman Catholic Population, alongside Buddhists, Methodists, and other Christians.
caption: Church of Immaculata Virgin Mary - Seeduwa
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