Galhinna is a beautiful village with a panoramic view situated 675 Metres above mean sea level and 15 Kilometres North West of the City of Kandy which is the hill capital of Sri Lanka, the “Paradise of the East.” The rock called “Periya Kallu” at the entrance of this village is its land mark. At the other end of the village a stream called “Beedi Ela” runs and adds to its beauty. Tea bushes are planted at both sides of the road which have the appearance of welcoming the people who visit it. Besides this there are number of paddy fields which add to its greenery. At a glance, we find a series of rocks which make a fence at the border.
About three hundred years ago, the Sinhala Kandyan King visited this village and he was amazed to see the range of rock mountains. He was under the impression that this was a garden with a fence made by rocks. He asked in Sinhala, “Gal Henadha?” which means “Is it a rock garden? And later the village became known as “Galhinna”. Some say the Sinhala term for Rock Fence has been turned into “Galheenna” and converted into “Galhinna. This village Galhinna is surrounded by Sinhala dominated villages. There is still evidence that there were Sinhala settlements within these villages in thick forests and some paddy fields which still known with Sinhala names.
‘Periya Kallu’
‘Two hundred Acres view’
‘Tea Plantation’
Within the last half a century this village which had no basic facilities has been improved tremendously in various ways. This village has shown a significant improvement in its Islamic, educational, cultural and social background. In very short time Galhinna became known for its people’s excellence. So much so, it has become famous and set an example for other villages to follow.
When you go back to the history of Galhinna, it is mentioned that four of the Arab traders who visited Ceylon in the 17th Century took residence in Kandy. One of them known as ‘Umar Maraikkar Adappanar’ lived in Malwanahinna, Akurana. His eldest son known as ‘Waappu Kandu Adappanar’ was the first person to reside in Galhinna . He can be considered as the founding father of Galhinna. He was so courageous and it is said that he once tied a tiger to a tree. As one of his legs caused him to walk with a limp he was known with the nick name of “Nondi Appatchi”. Many of the 19,000 inhabitants who live in Galhinna are his descendants. According to historical evidence Muslims have dominated Galhinna for nearly 50 years before the British captured Kandy in 1815. During the 1800s nearly 80 people were living in this village.
The Masjids, Madrasas, institutions and Libraries situated in our village show the religious, cultural, social and educational development of it for more than half a century. Muslims are building Masjids wherever they happen to reside. Our ancestors established the first Masjid in Halgolla at the end of Galhinna border, then the Masjid which is situated now at the centre of the village was built with cadjan leaves by the effort of ‘Matticha Appatchi’. In 1946 this Masjid was expanded and made a Jummah Masjid with the help of the congregation. Again, it was refurbished and expanded by the people of the village in 1989. It was modernised and refurbished in 2013. The Galhinna Grand Mosque is an important place in the village and It is one of the oldest in Sri Lanka.
Another Jummah Masjid was constructed at Batagolla deniya in the name of Later, ‘Jamaliya Jummah Masjid’. this Masjid was also refurbished.
Furthermore, many other Thaikiyas were erected, Hussainiya Thaikiya at Kandy road Ismail Thaikiya at Mosque Junction, Al Hikma Thaikiya at Poodalgaha and Thaikiyas at Kattapu, Bebilagolla, Beedi Ela and Godahena were also established.
The first Quranic Madrasa was established by Kasawatte Sheikh Muhammad Alim in 1892. Madrasathul Fatah Arabic College was established in 1949. Later in 1985 it was converted into ‘Jamiathul Fatah’. This institution is considered as one of the oldest Arabic Colleges in the Island and a college with modern facilities in the central region. This Madrasa is refurbished recently and it is one of the wealthiest Islamic institutions in Sri Lanka.
The Ladies Arabic College by the name of ‘Dharuth Thaqwa’ was established for the development of the village ladies’ religion and education. This Madrasa is located at Thaqwa Gardens. This is one of the foremost ladies Arabic Colleges in the Island. It is a privilege to have a second ladies Arabic College ‘Nidaul Islam’ in this village for the upliftment of ladies religious and cultural knowledge. Many ‘Alimahs’ have passed out of these institutions and now serve the ummah.
‘Al Msjithul Jamiul Kabeer’
‘Batagolladeniya Jumua Masjid’
‘Madrasathul Ismail’
Further Quran Madrassas, Hifz Classes and Makthabs are held in almost all the Thaikiyas in this village. The village has several small Masjids in the surrounding areas
Teaching Tamil and Arabic Languages were started in 1925 with 76 students in the same premises where the Jummah Mosque is situated now. Kamaliya School was established in 1934. The same school was relocated in 1948 and now it acts like the backbone of Galhinna with the name of Al Manar Central College. It is a national school and it is among the oldest and most distinguished of the schools in the Poojapitiya divisional secretariat. The school provides both primary and secondary education. Al Manar Central College has produced many of the undergraduates from Kandy District for local universities annually. It was established in 1934. This public school provides education for approximately 1,500 pupils from elementary to GCE Advanced Level. In the meantime, Jamaliya School a Batagolladeniya serves the children of this area. Also, ‘Darul Huda’ nursery school was started in 1986 to further the children education.
Muslim Educational Committee was established in 1920 to look after the educational services of the village. A library was established in 1947. Latter in 1999 “Moulavi Salahudeen’s Library” was established in Al Manar Shcool.
A sub post office was established in the village in 1952. A government bus service was introduced in 1970 for this village and in the same year, electricity connection was also given. A pipe born water system was introduced in 1990. The first Trustee Board of the village was established in 1970.
The first person who migrated from Galhinna to UK in 1962 was Mr. H. M.Junaideen and his wife Saheeda Junaideen who joints him in 1969. Followed by Ameer Zainudeen, Azeez Sally, Liyavudeen, Wahab, Marhoom Dr.M.C.M Zubair, H.M.Zakariya and Marhoom Siraj. Thereafter Marhoom Haji H.M.Zubair, Solicitor Abul Hassan, Marhoom Dr. M.J.M.Mubarak K.M Jameel, K.M Hamza, and Ashraf Jamadeen and Marhoom Solicitor Khaleel joined them with their family. The rest migrated to UK after 1990 and now many people from Galhinna are living in the United Kingdom
‘Jamiathul Fathah Arabic College’
Since the inception of Sri Lankan Muslim Cultural Centre (UK) in 2000 our Galhinna brothers are actively involved in volunteering their expertise in many different areas for the community. Their contribution is noteworthy of the centre’s progress during the last decade. Our Galhinna brothers and sisters have also been contributing to many other Sri Lankan organisations around the UK.
‘Daruth Thaqwa Girls Arabic College’
‘Masjidul Hussainie’
‘Al-Manar Central College’
‘Madarasatghul Hikama’