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'''Gampaha'''(Sinhala: ගම්පහ {{IPA-si|ˈgamːpaha|}}; Tamil: கம்பஹா {{IPA-ta|gam ɭpaha|}}) is amajor city in ], ], ]. It is the sixth largest urban area in ], after ], ], ], ] and ]. Gampaha is also the second largest city in Gampaha district, after ] city. It is situatedon the north-east of thecapital].
'''Gampaha''' (Sinhala: ගම්පහ {{IPA-si|ˈɡamːpaha|}}; Tamil: கம்பஹா {{IPA-ta|kambahaː|}}) is an urban city in ], ], ]. It is situated to the north-east of the capital ]. It is the sixth largest urban area in ], after ], ], ], ] and ].<ref name="DN">{{cite web | url=http://dailynews.lk/?q=2016/03/15/business/real-estate-gampaha-%E2%80%93-then-and-now | title=Real Estate in Gampaha – then and now| publisher=]| date=15 March 2016 | access-date=27 November 2016}}</ref> Gampaha is also the second largest municipal centre in Gampaha district, after ]. Gampaha has a land area of {{convert|25.8|ha|acre|abbr=on}} and is home to the offices of 75 government institutions.
==Namesake==
==Namesake==
The name "Gampaha" in ] (ගම්පහ) literally means “Five Villages”. The five villages are known to be Ihalagama, Pahalagama, Medagama, Pattiyagama and Aluthgama. However, at present village Pattiyagama cannot be identified within the town limits of Gampaha and remains disputed. Gampaha was also known to be called Henarathgoda in the past.
The name "Gampaha" in ] (ගම්පහ) literally means “Five Villages”. The five villages are known to be Ihalagama, Pahalagama, Medagama, Pattiyagama and ]. However, at present the location of Pattiyagama can no longer be identified within the town limits of Gampaha and remains disputed. Gampaha was also formerly known as Henarathgoda.
==History==
]
]
During reign of Portuguese, the main route to the hill country had been laid through the Gampaha area and in the period of Dutch, this area was served as centre for the collection of cinnamon.<ref name="DS 2">{{cite web| url=http://www.gampaha.ds.gov.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=63&lang=en| title=A Brief Description of Gampaha Secretariat Division| publisher=Gamapaha Divisional Secretariat| date=19 November 2010| access-date=21 February 2016| archive-date=14 July 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714111214/http://www.gampaha.ds.gov.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=63&lang=en| url-status=dead}}</ref> But before year 1815, it is said that Gampaha was a dense forest. The 5th Governor of ], ] made a visit to Gampaha in 1825, on the way to observe the construction work of the Negombo-Colombo main road. When British built the “Moragoda” catholic church in 1828, Gampaha and surrounding areas slowly became inhabited.
As the extension of the railway track from Colombo to ], the ] was completed in 1866 which acted as a key factor for the progress and recognition of the town. In 1867, the first rubber tree of Sri Lanka was planted in Henarathgoda botanical garden.
==Historical points of the town==
Before year 1815, Gampaha was a dense forest. The 5th governor of ], ] made a visit to Gampaha in 1825, on the way to observe the construction work of the Negombo-Colombo road. The British colonists built ] in 1864 which act as a key factor for the progress and recognition of the town. In 1867, the first rubber tree of Sri Lanka was planted in Henarathgoda botanical garden.
The town was planned in 1920, with 52 roads including the main street, a water tank, a public market, a hospital and an electrical generator. Most of these are still present in their original sites with various improvements over time.<ref name="event.lk">{{cite web|title=GAMPAHA|url=http://event.lk/venue/view/id/487|publisher=event.lk|access-date=21 February 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304005024/http://event.lk/venue/view/id/487|url-status=dead}}</ref>
When British built the “Moragoda” catholic church in 1828, Gampaha and surrounding areas became inhabitant slowly.
The town was planned in 1920, with 52 roads including the main street, a water tank, a public market, a hospital and an electrical generator. Most of these are still present in their original sites with various improvements over time.
==Local Government==
Gampaha was a village council until 1945. On 1 January that year, the town qualified to become an urban council. The first urban council had five members. P. P. Jayawardane was the first chairman of the urban council. Total number of workforce in the urban council was 197 persons. In 1978 constitutional reforms declared Gampaha as a new administrative district (which was formerly recognised as a part of the ]) and the main administrative centre was established in Gampaha.<ref name="DS 2" /> The new district status lead the town to a rapid development, establishing new government institutes. On 16 April 2002, the Urban Council was upgraded to become the ].
==Economy==
The economy of Gampaha has been vastly extended in many aspects. Mainly ] and ] are grown here as main cultivation products and additionally ] and ] are grown here. Also some rural industries like pottery, tiles, hand loom textiles, coconut related products can be found.<ref name="DS 2" />
==Climate==
==Climate==
Gampaha has a ] under the ]. Here climate is fairly temperate all throughout the year. FromMarchtoJune is thewarmesttime of the Gampaha with an average temperature of 29°C (84°F) and the coldesttimeperiodisDecembertoJanuaryat27°C (81°F).
Gampaha has a ] under the ]. The climate is fairly temperate all throughout the year with a significant rainfall. Even in the driest month there is a significant amount of rain. The driest month is January and there is about 62 mm of precipitation. Most of the precipitation in Gampaha area falls in October, averaging 365 mm. The precipitation varies 303 mm between the driest month and the wettest month. April is warmest month in Gampaha, with an average temperature of 28.4 °C (83.1 °F) and the December is the coolest month, with temperatures averaging 26.1 °C (79 °F). Throughout the year, temperatures vary by 2.3 °C.
The annual rain fall in the area is about 2398 mm and the average temperature is about 27.3 °C. The main sources of water canals of Gampaha are ] and Uruwela Oya.
{{Weather box
{{Weather box
|location = Gampaha (2000-2012)
|location = Gampaha
|metric first = yes
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|Jan record high C =
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|Jan high C = 30.7
|Feb high C = 31.8
|Mar high C = 32.7
|Apr high C = 32.6
|May high C = 31.5
|Jun high C = 30.3
|Jul high C = 30.2
|Aug high C = 30.4
|Sep high C = 30.6
|Oct high C = 30.3
|Nov high C = 30.4
|Dec high C = 30.1
|year high C = 32.7
|Jan mean C = 26.2
|Feb mean C = 26.8
|Mar mean C = 27.9
|Apr mean C = 28.4
|May mean C = 28.3
|Jun mean C = 27.5
|Jul mean C = 27.5
|Aug mean C = 27.6
|Sep mean C = 27.5
|Oct mean C = 26.9
|Nov mean C = 26.5
|Dec mean C = 26.1
|year mean C = 27.2
|Jan high C = 32
|Jan low C = 21.7
|Feb high C = 33
|Feb low C = 21.8
|Mar high C = 33
|Mar low C = 23.1
|Apr high C = 32
|Apr low C = 24.2
|May high C = 32
|May low C = 25.1
|Jun high C = 31
|Jun low C = 24.8
|Jul high C = 30
|Jul low C = 24.8
|Aug high C = 30
|Aug low C = 24.8
|Sep high C = 31
|Sep low C = 24.4
|Oct high C = 30
|Oct low C = 23.6
|Nov high C = 31
|Nov low C = 22.7
|Dec high C = 31
|Dec low C = 22.2
|year high C = 33
|year low C = 21.7
|Jan mean C = 27
|Jan record low C =
|Feb mean C = 28
|Feb record low C =
|Mar mean C = 28.5
|Mar record low C =
|Apr mean C = 28.5
|Apr record low C =
|May mean C = 29
|May record low C =
|Jun mean C = 28.5
|Jun record low C =
|Jul mean C = 28
|Jul record low C =
|Aug mean C = 28
|Aug record low C =
|Sep mean C = 28
|Sep record low C =
|Oct mean C = 27
|Oct record low C =
|Nov mean C = 27.5
|Nov record low C =
|Dec mean C = 27
|Dec record low C =
|year mean C = 29.5
|year record low C =
|Jan lowC = 22
|Jan precipitation mm = 62
|Feb lowC = 23
|Feb precipitation mm = 79
|Mar lowC = 24
|Mar precipitation mm = 146
|Apr lowC = 25
|Apr precipitation mm = 255
|May lowC = 26
|May precipitation mm = 353
|Jun lowC = 26
|Jun precipitation mm = 216
|Jul lowC = 26
|Jul precipitation mm = 134
|Aug lowC = 26
|Aug precipitation mm = 123
|Sep lowC = 25
|Sep precipitation mm = 202
|Oct lowC = 24
|Oct precipitation mm = 365
|Nov lowC = 24
|Nov precipitation mm = 311
|Dec lowC = 23
|Dec precipitation mm = 152
|year low C = 26
|Jan humidity =
|Janrecord low C =
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|Dec record low C =
|year record low C =
|Jan precipitation mm = 33.6
|Feb precipitation mm = 52.1
|Mar precipitation mm = 68.9
|Apr precipitation mm = 173.9
|May precipitation mm = 194.9
|Jun precipitation mm = 102.2
|Jul precipitation mm = 75
|Aug precipitation mm = 67.6
|Sep precipitation mm = 113.4
|Oct precipitation mm = 302.7
|Nov precipitation mm = 247.9
|Dec precipitation mm = 75.6
|Jan humidity =
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|unit precipitation days =
|Jan precipitation days = 7
|Feb precipitation days = 4
|Mar precipitation days = 8
|Apr precipitation days = 14
|May precipitation days = 16
|Jun precipitation days = 14
|Jul precipitation days = 11
|Aug precipitation days = 9
|Sep precipitation days = 13
|Oct precipitation days = 19
|Nov precipitation days = 16
|Dec precipitation days = 10
|Jand sun=
|Febd sun=
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|source 1 = ''World Weather Online'',<ref name= WWO>{{cite web
Gampaha was a village council until 1945. On 1 January that year, the town qualified to become an urban council. The first urban council had 5 members. P.P Jayawardane was the first chairman of the urban council. Total number of workforce in the urban council was 197 persons.In 1979, Constitutional reforms declared Gampaha as a new administrative district, which was formerly recognized as a part of the ]. The new district status lead the town to a rapid development, establishing new government institutes. On 16 April 2002, Gampaha urban council upgraded to the Municipal council.
* ''']''' where the first rubber tree was planted in Sri Lanka<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bgci.org/garden.php?id=589|title=Gampaha Botanic Garden - Botanic Gardens Conservation International}}</ref> is still present located close to Gampaha town. The garden is bordered with Attangalle oya and covers about {{cvt|43|acres|order=flip}}. It is believed that the garden is more than 128 years old.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tour.lk/sri_lanka/gampaha/henarathgoda_botanical_gardens.php|title=Henarathgoda Botanicl garden|access-date=1 May 2015|archive-date=26 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826002020/http://tour.lk/sri_lanka/gampaha/henarathgoda_botanical_gardens.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Demographics==
]
{{Main|Demographics of Sri Lanka}}
* ''']''' is one of oldest railway stations in Sri Lanka. It was built in 1866 by the British to facilitate the transportation of ] and ] from the up country to ].<ref name="colombofort">{{cite web|title=Cutting the First Sod of Earth for the Railway in 1858|url=http://colombofort.com/1st.railway.htm|publisher=colombofort.com|access-date=21 February 2016}}</ref>
According by the statistics of 2012, about 8.5% of the population of Gampaha district live in Gampaha divisional Secretary's Division and it is a major ] majority in Sri Lanka.
* ''']''' is an ancient Buddhist temple which is located close to the Gampaha town. Currently this temple has been recognized as archaeological protected monument in Minuwangoda division. The history of this temple runs to the reign of ].
{{bar box
* ''']''' is an old Tampita Vihara, located in Pahalagama. Currently this temple has been protected as one of archaeological protected sites in Sri Lanka.
|title=Ethnicity in Gampaha (2012)
*]''']''' is an old ], located near to Daraluwa rail way station. During the past periods Ambalams were designed to provide shelter for the travelers.
|titlebar=#ddd
* ''']''' is one of two anicut projects that come under the key irrigation scheme in Gampaha.
|left1=Population
*Maligathenna Rajamaha Vihara is an ancient Buddhist Temple which located in Gampaha District. The history of this temple runs to the reign of ]. The tooth relic was hidden twice here.
|right1=Percent
*Kaleniya Rajamaha Vihara is an ancient Buddhist Temple in Gampaha District. It is located near to ].
|float=right
*Gorakaella waterfall
|bars=
{{bar percent|]|#FFFF00|98.90}}
{{bar percent|]|red|0.48}}
{{bar percent|]|#FF8000|0.22}}
{{bar percent|]|#009000|0.18}}
{{bar percent|Others|#0080FF|0.34}}
}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
!Ethnicity!! Population<ref>{{cite web|title=A6 : Population by ethnicity and district according to Divisional Secretary's Division, 2012|url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/index.php?fileName=pop32&gp=Activities&tpl=3|work=Census of Population & Housing, 2011|publisher=Department of Census & Statistics, Sri Lanka}}</ref> !! % of Total
|-
|]||194,292||98.90%
|-
|]||942||0.48%
|-
|]||205||0.10%
|-
|]||359||0.18%
|-
|]||431||0.22%
|-
|]||119||0.06%
|-
|]||17||0.00%
|-
|]||4||0.00%
|-
|Other||76||0.03%
|-
|Total||196,445||100%
|-
|}
==Education==
==Education==
Literacy in Gampaha district is the highest in Sri Lanka.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} The literacy rate for both sexes is 98.5.
Literacy in Gampaha is the highest in Sri-Lanka.The literacy rate for both sexes are 98.5. ], ], ], Holy Cross College, ] are the most popular colleges in the urban area.One of the key reasons in the improvement of its literacy is the higher span of tuition classes that operate in the area.
| website = Department of Census and Statistics-Sri-Lanka
| website = Department of Census and Statistics-Sri-Lanka
| accessdate = 23 March 2015
| access-date = 23 March 2015
}}</ref> Gampaha is home to secondary educational institutes in Sri Lanka. The government owned schools in the gampaha area are listed below.<ref name="DS 1">{{cite web | url=http://www.gampaha.ds.gov.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28&Itemid=23&lang=en | title=Schools| publisher=Gamapaha Divisional Secretariat| date=21 November 2010 | access-date=21 February 2016}}</ref>
}}</ref>
===Universities===
==Botanical Garden==
*]
] where the first rubber tree was planted in Sri Lanka <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bgci.org/garden.php?id=589|title=Gampaha Botanic Garden - Botanic Gardens Conservation International}}</ref> is still present located close to Gampaha Town. The garden is bordered with Attangalle oya and covers about 43 acres. It is believed that the garden is older than 128 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tour.lk/sri_lanka/gampaha/henarathgoda_botanical_gardens.php|title= Henarathgoda Botanicl garden
}}</ref> The first seedling was planted under the auspice of the vast garden's original owner Muhandiam Amaris De Zoysa, who became the garden's first OIC. The generous Muhandiram donated this vast estate for public use, to enhance the local surroundings.
==Ayurveda==
====Ayurveda====
Pundit Wickramarachchi found the first Ayurveda College of the country - "Sri Lanka Siddhayurveda Vidyalaya"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kln.ac.lk/institutes/wickramarachchi/introduction.htm|title=Siddhayurveda College AKA The Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siddhayurveda.lk/|title=Siddhayurveda Rasayanushada Samagama}}</ref> in 1929 closer to Yakkala. "Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Vidyalaya (Incorporation) Act No. 30 of 1982" established the college as a national institute for Ayurveda education. From 1 March 1995 the institute was recognized as and was affiliated to the main university stream of the country Under ]. The institute offers "Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery" (BAMS) diploma and the practitioners are distinguished around the country as "Gampaha Ayurvedic Physicians". Rules for the regulation of the professional conduct of Ayurvedic physicians have been approved by the Minister of Health and gazetted in June 1971.
Pundit Wickramarachchi found the first Ayurveda College of the country - "Sri Lanka Siddhayurveda Vidyalaya"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kln.ac.lk/institutes/wickramarachchi/introduction.htm|title=Siddhayurveda College AKA The Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913173644/http://www.kln.ac.lk/institutes/wickramarachchi/introduction.htm|archive-date=13 September 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siddhayurveda.lk/|title=Siddhayurveda Rasayanushada Samagama}}</ref> in 1929 closer to Yakkala. "Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Vidyalaya (Incorporation) Act No. 30 of 1982" established the college as a national institute for Ayurveda education. From 1 March 1995 the institute was recognized as ] and was affiliated to the main university stream of the country Under ]. The institute offers "Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery" (BAMS) diploma and the practitioners are distinguished around the country as "Gampaha Ayurvedic Physicians". Rules for the regulation of the professional conduct of Ayurvedic physicians have been approved by the Minister of Health and gazetted in June 1971.
===Schools===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*Anura Central College
*]
*]
*Bemmulla Gamini Kanishta Vidyalaya
*Bendiyamulla Gajaba Vidyalaya
*Sri Bodhi College
*Chandrajothi Maha Vidyalaya
*]
*]
*Gunanodaya Vidyalaya-Divlapitiya
*]
*]
*Ihala Yagoda Lumbini Kanishta Vidyalaya
*Indigolla Vijitha Prathamika Vidyalaya
*Keppetipola Maha Vidyalaya
*Kirindiwela Central College
*Kirindiwela Maha Vidyalaya
*Kirindiwita Gemunu Kanishta Vidyalaya
*Mahagamasekaya Maha Vidyalaya
*Mahaththuwa Jinarathana Prathamika Vidyalaya
*Moragoda Wimaladharmasuriya Kanishta Vidyalaya
*]
*]
*Sidharthakumara Vidyalaya
*Sanghabodhi College
*Sumedha College
*Thakshila College
*]
*]
*]
{{div col end}}
==Transport==
==Transport==
Gampaha is the 15th railway station from the Colombo fort on main railway line.
Gampaha is the 15th railway station from the Colombo fort on main railway line.
The name "Gampaha" in Sinhala (ගම්පහ) literally means “Five Villages”. The five villages are known to be Ihalagama, Pahalagama, Medagama, Pattiyagama and Aluthgama. However, at present the location of Pattiyagama can no longer be identified within the town limits of Gampaha and remains disputed. Gampaha was also formerly known as Henarathgoda.
History
The former volleyball statue was an iconic landmark in Gampaha. Due to the development program this statue has been moved next to the railway station entrance.
During reign of Portuguese, the main route to the hill country had been laid through the Gampaha area and in the period of Dutch, this area was served as centre for the collection of cinnamon. But before year 1815, it is said that Gampaha was a dense forest. The 5th Governor of Ceylon, Sir Edward Barnes made a visit to Gampaha in 1825, on the way to observe the construction work of the Negombo-Colombo main road. When British built the “Moragoda” catholic church in 1828, Gampaha and surrounding areas slowly became inhabited.
As the extension of the railway track from Colombo to Ambepussa, the Henarathgoda railway station was completed in 1866 which acted as a key factor for the progress and recognition of the town. In 1867, the first rubber tree of Sri Lanka was planted in Henarathgoda botanical garden.
The town was planned in 1920, with 52 roads including the main street, a water tank, a public market, a hospital and an electrical generator. Most of these are still present in their original sites with various improvements over time.
Local Government
Gampaha was a village council until 1945. On 1 January that year, the town qualified to become an urban council. The first urban council had five members. P. P. Jayawardane was the first chairman of the urban council. Total number of workforce in the urban council was 197 persons. In 1978 constitutional reforms declared Gampaha as a new administrative district (which was formerly recognised as a part of the Colombo District) and the main administrative centre was established in Gampaha. The new district status lead the town to a rapid development, establishing new government institutes. On 16 April 2002, the Urban Council was upgraded to become the Gampaha Municipal Council.
Economy
The economy of Gampaha has been vastly extended in many aspects. Mainly paddy and Rubber are grown here as main cultivation products and additionally pineapple and betel are grown here. Also some rural industries like pottery, tiles, hand loom textiles, coconut related products can be found.
Climate
Gampaha has a tropical rainforest climate under the Köppen climate classification. The climate is fairly temperate all throughout the year with a significant rainfall. Even in the driest month there is a significant amount of rain. The driest month is January and there is about 62 mm of precipitation. Most of the precipitation in Gampaha area falls in October, averaging 365 mm. The precipitation varies 303 mm between the driest month and the wettest month. April is warmest month in Gampaha, with an average temperature of 28.4 °C (83.1 °F) and the December is the coolest month, with temperatures averaging 26.1 °C (79 °F). Throughout the year, temperatures vary by 2.3 °C.
The annual rain fall in the area is about 2398 mm and the average temperature is about 27.3 °C. The main sources of water canals of Gampaha are Attanagalu Oya and Uruwela Oya.
Henarathgoda Botanical Garden where the first rubber tree was planted in Sri Lanka is still present located close to Gampaha town. The garden is bordered with Attangalle oya and covers about 17 ha (43 acres). It is believed that the garden is more than 128 years old.
Henarathgoda old railway station. Currently this building has been recognised as archaeological protected monument in Gampaha.
Henarathgoda old railway station is one of oldest railway stations in Sri Lanka. It was built in 1866 by the British to facilitate the transportation of tea and coffee from the up country to Colombo.
Asgiriya Rajamaha Vihara is an ancient Buddhist temple which is located close to the Gampaha town. Currently this temple has been recognized as archaeological protected monument in Minuwangoda division. The history of this temple runs to the reign of King Valagamba.
Yatawatte Purana Vihara is an old Tampita Vihara, located in Pahalagama. Currently this temple has been protected as one of archaeological protected sites in Sri Lanka.
GorakaElla WaterfallWathumulla Ketawala Ambalama is an old Ambalama, located near to Daraluwa rail way station. During the past periods Ambalams were designed to provide shelter for the travelers.
Ketawala Anicut is one of two anicut projects that come under the key irrigation scheme in Gampaha.
Maligathenna Rajamaha Vihara is an ancient Buddhist Temple which located in Gampaha District. The history of this temple runs to the reign of King Valagamba. The tooth relic was hidden twice here.
Kaleniya Rajamaha Vihara is an ancient Buddhist Temple in Gampaha District. It is located near to Kelani River.
Gorakaella waterfall
Education
Literacy in Gampaha district is the highest in Sri Lanka. The literacy rate for both sexes is 98.5.
Gampaha is home to secondary educational institutes in Sri Lanka. The government owned schools in the gampaha area are listed below.
Pundit Wickramarachchi found the first Ayurveda College of the country - "Sri Lanka Siddhayurveda Vidyalaya" in 1929 closer to Yakkala. "Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Vidyalaya (Incorporation) Act No. 30 of 1982" established the college as a national institute for Ayurveda education. From 1 March 1995 the institute was recognized as Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute and was affiliated to the main university stream of the country Under University of Kelaniya. The institute offers "Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery" (BAMS) diploma and the practitioners are distinguished around the country as "Gampaha Ayurvedic Physicians". Rules for the regulation of the professional conduct of Ayurvedic physicians have been approved by the Minister of Health and gazetted in June 1971.
View of the Gampaha town, Sri Lanka
Gampaha
Gampaha.
