A

A

Achchankulam (Mannarama [Mannar} district ) ATTANAVAEVA,  ⚓name Meaning: There is no "achchan" listed in the usual Tamil dictionaries and Lexicons; however, close forms like 'accan' may be listed. 'Achchan' means "brother", (also father etc.) in Malayalam, and may be the source of the sinhala slang word "machang". However, there is no contextually useful meaning in it for a place-name. On the other hand, the sinhala word "Attana" refers to a plant species (Latin Dathura Alba, or Datura metal, Tamil "Umaththai"). Its occurrence in Sinhala place names is well established. The plant and seeds contain the alkaloids Hyoscine, hyoscyamine, norhyoscyanine and atropine. The plant as a whole is a narcotic, and the Tamil name "Ummaththai" is probably derived from the Sanskrit/Pali word which means (causing) "madness", or "ummmada" in Sinhala. It is poisonous. Its use in Ayurveda is well established. Map  LTTE-ARMY flash point	අත්තනවැව
Achchelu, Achelu(Yapanaya [Jaffna]) ATHURUELIYA   ⚓name This is a common sinhala place name. "Athuru" mean "nearby" in the present context (also, it may in other contexts mean "supplementary", or "inter-mediating"). "Eliya" implies an "open place", a "cleared place", or a region held as a "common". In other contexts it may mean "a source of light". hist: Ancient Buddhist shrine and Dagoba, referred to by de Queyroz Map  map	අතුරුඑලිය
Achchuveli, Achuvely (Yapanaya) ATHURUVAELLA   ⚓name The etymology of this place-name is similar to that given in preceding discussions. "Vaella" means "shore", or a "sandy place". This name is often found in southern maritime areas in SL. This is a location of ancient Buddhist ruins; de Queyroz, discussing the fall of Jaffna says "It remained under the Portugezen sway for upwards of 40 years, wrested from the Emperor by Philippo d'Olivero when he defeated the Cingalezen forces near Achiavelli (Achuvely) by the great pagoda". Map   map typical news	අතුරුවැල්ල
Adaichakal (madakalapuwa[Batticaloa]) HADUGALA   ⚓name 'Adai, Adicha, or related stubs do not occur in the Tamil Lexicons. There is a small Tank here; Map	හඩුගල
Adaikkalamoddai, Adaikkalmottai, Adukkalmoddai (Mannarama [Mannar]) HADUGALMOTTE   ⚓name 'Motte ← Modde ← Made' signifies a muddy, swampy place. The Latin word for 'marsh' is 'madeo', while Skrt. 'manda' means slime. In Tamil, Ala, Alaru Alakkar, Ceru etc., are used for mud. See MAP	හඩුගල්- මොටේ
Adampan, Adampanai, அடம்பன் (Mannarama [Mannar]) AADAMPANA, AETTAMPANA   ⚓name, RAAMAPAENNA, Meaning. Tamil "Pan" by itself seems to have no immediate meaning, however, "pampan", and the sinhala "paalama" (පාලම) both means 'bridge'. On the Indian side, a very long bridge connects to a small island known as Pamban. This bridge has a part that can be raised for tall marine vessels to pass through. Pamban-India bridge The place name Adampan may have been inspired by "Adam's bridge" (Irama cetu, or Rama cetu, Hindu name of the ridge of rocks crossing the Palk's Straits (Gajaba mooduyaava, මූදු යාව see discussion under Palk ...) and connecting Dhanuskodi (India) to Talaimannar (Lanka). However, the name Adampan is found in several places which are far away from "Adam's bridge", e.g., in the North Vanni, and in the Trincomalee district (near Gomarankadavala), and hence it cannot be positively connected with Adam's bridge. Note that the old names "Rama bridge" (irāma;-cētu; இராமசேது in Tamil consistent with the Tolkkappiam rules), or Ramasethu රාමසේතුව , was replaced by "Adam's bridge" in 1804 by the British surveyor James Rennel. He was the first Surveyor General of British India. 'Siripada', (or 'Adams peak'), known also as 'Vishnupada' in the Mahabharata was also renamed "Adam's peak" by Rennel. "Setu" means bridge in Sanskrit and other source languages. It has sometimes been claimed in some Internet blogs, without much foundation, that the Tamil word "Adampu" has been used for "bin-thambura", a creeper which grows by the sea shore, and found almost every where in the costal regions of SL. The well-known Tamil name for "bin thambura" is "attukkal". The placename "adampana" is not found in any early records, but came in during the British era. All these suggest that the place-name is unlikely to have originated from the construed name "Adampu". We believe that the old name is "aettampana". "Aettanpana', or "Aththampana" where "attana" or "Aththana" (Bot: Datura alaba)is well known. The word "aththana" occurs in plant names like Rukattana (bot: Alstonia scholaris), "Kaulaththana etc., and are well recognized plant species. See also Kok-attana-kulam, Kokattanakulam or Kokkachchankulam Rama Sethu Another Discussion on Ramasetu See reg. kobbekaduwa Map1   map2 UTHR report  : Map of Army action in 2008 near Mannar  Rebuilding and demining after the war, 2010	ආදම්පන,   ඇටිටංපන රාම පැන්න  රාමසේතු
Adampan (Giranikke[Killinochchi]) AETTAMPANA See previous discussion under "adampana" in mannar. Regional map	ඇටිටංපන
Adampantalavu, (Mannarama) AETTAMPANTALA   ⚓name, AADAMPANTHALAVA, RAAMANTALAVA Read the discussion under "Adampan". Map	ඇටිටංපන්තල ආදම්පන්තලාව රාමන්තලාව
Adampanmodddai (Giranikke [Killinochchi]) ATHTHANAMADE;   ⚓name Read the discussion under "Adampan", regarding the plant "aththana", and the etymology of the word "mada", "moddei" and the english "mud" under the entry "Athimottai".	අත්තනමඩ
Addalaichenai, Addalachenai, ApdalacChena (Ampare) ADDARAHENA   ⚓name, ATTAALAHENA? Meaning: In Tamil "Addalai" has no immediate contextual meaning; it may have originated from the sinhala "addara" = "near by" , or "attaala" = "scaffolding". The sinhala, word ``attaala'' is related to the Sanskrit and Pali words for "scaffolding". It may mean a raised hut usually made of wooden beams, bamboo etc. But the common tamil usage for the latter is `Paran', and "addalai" may be a form which is not current. However, the word order is incorrect as "attaala" or "addala" is not used as an adjective. Thus "Addarahena", a common place name, is the most judicious choice for the origin of this name, while "attaalahena" is not prevalent and etymologically unlikely. The remaining part of the name contains 'Chennai'. It is from the Sinhala "hena", i.e., 'slash-burn' cultivation plots. In Tamil 'Chenai' may mean 'army' and does not fit into the context here. Map  UNICEF-tsunami FYI-war	අද්දරහේන
Adappankulum (Mannaram [Mannar]) AETAAPAENNAVEVA   ⚓name This literarily means, in Sinhala,"The Tank into which the elephant jumped". "Aetapan" is may also be a type of grass or reed (but not identified). map	ඇතා පැන්නවැව
Addaippallam,Addapalam (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) HADIPAALAMA   ⚓name This may mean "old bridge", or "strong bridge", "wide location" etc.   Map	හැඩිපාලම
Adiyakulam (mannaram [Mannar]) AADIYAVEVA   ⚓name, Aadiyakulama "Aadiya" (vaeva) refers to "ancient", or "original" water reservoir. Map	ආදියවැව ආදියව
Aiyakerni, Aiyankerni (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) Aiyankernitalawai AADIKAENNA   ⚓name, AADIYAKURANA AADI-KANI-TALAVA "Aiya" in Sinhala and Tamil means "elder brother". The "Ai" sound has descended from the Sanskrit "Aadi", which means "earlier" or "elder". The "ai" form is found in Tamil, with the advent of the chankam literature, and thus both Sinhala and Tamil have Sanskrit as the source language for this word. The word is also used for local village gods, as in "Aiyanayaka deviyo". "Aiyanaar" ஐயனார் in Tamil, a usage found only after the 8th century CE. The remaining part of the place name contains "Kerni"; it is from "Kaenna", i.e, the sinhala "kaeneema" or "digging". A possible, but less favoured analysis is that "aadi" in "Aadi-Kaeni-talava could also refer to mendicant beggars known as "Anndi".	ආදිකැන්න, ආදිය කුරන
Aiyamperumal, Sinna Aiyamperumal (Giranikke [Killinochchi]) AADIYAMPIRUMA   ⚓name, AADIYEPIRUVALA Hist.  : Although one has no definite evidence, there is a possibility that this was named after the Chola Perumal, from Chitambaram. He had a tiger inscribed on the flag which is called Puliyan; his place in Tamil Nadu was called Pulyannur. If the place name was after the Chola Perumal, normally inscriptional evidence would exist. Read also, the write up on "Aiyakerni". It could also mean the the "bog" (vala) filled in olden times". The existence of a "sinna" Aiyamperumal, i.e., the smaller bog ("kudaavala") suggests that this probably has little to do with the Chola from Chitambaram.	ආදියපිරුම ආදියෙපිරුවල
Aiyanatidali,Aiyan-kuda (Sri Gonakanda[Trincomalee]) AADYANTHUDA   ⚓name Read also, the write up on "Aiyakerni" Map	ආදිය තුඩාව
Ayittiyamalai, Aithamalai (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) ADIHITIKANDA   ⚓name Read also, the write up on "Aiyakerni". There is an Army encampment here. Map	අදිතිය කන්ද
Akattikkulam (Mannaram [Mannar]) AGASTHIVAEVA   ⚓name 'Agasthi' is an agate-like stone. 'Agasthiya' is also an Indian mythical sage, mentioned in the Rig Veda. map	අගස්තිවැව
Akattimurippu(Mannaram [Mannar]) AGASTIKANDIYA, AGASTHIMURAYA   ⚓name Etymology The word "Agasthi" was discussed in previous place names. The remaining part, "murippu" is common in place names and needs discussion. Thus "murus" in Latin, meaning "wall", "fortification", or 'defensive rampart', is found in many indo-European languages (cf., "mur" in Fr.). However, "murippu" or a related form is not found in Dravidian sources or in south Indian place names. Hence "murippu" may be from the sinhala "muraya", "muraparva", for "defensive wall". The sinhala and Tamil forms may also have come from a pre-Sanskrit (e.g., Etruscan) language of the Persian Gulf, via the ancient sea routes which touched in Mannarama (Mannar). The Etruscan word for 'wall', mor, mur, mvr was also used for the dam (sinhala 'Kandiya' or Vella', වේල්ල) used in irrigation works. These dam sites were also used as locations for guard houses or watch stations (murapala). See Mel Copeland on Proto-Indo-European languages. There is an ancient tank here at Agasthimuraya. Read Kamalika Pieris, on water management in Ancient lanka  The name "Musalipattuva", or "Muhalapattuva" has also " been suggested as an old placename, perhaps applicable to this area. Musala refers to "crocodiles" in Sanskrit, and may have given the name. See also, the entry under "Musali", or Muhala. Map	අගස්තිමුරේ
Akkaraipattu (Ampare) AKKARAPATTUWA   ⚓name , EGODAPATTUWA Meaning: Tamil "Akkarai" may mean 'that side', Opp. ikkkara or 'this side'. The Sinhalese 'ekara'=egoda and 'mekara'=megoda, have similar meanings. 'Egodapattuwa' would be good sinhala usage. The 'Deegavapi' chaitya, usually attributed to Saddhatissa (137-119 BC) is claimed to be this dagaba. There are ancient ruins, a medicine trough and ruins of an ancient hospital. This area is part of the old 'Digamadulla' region. See the entry under DIGHAVAPI (Theekavapi). The Dutch initiated irrigation projects here (and in Urubokke, Pollonnaruwa). map UNHCR-tsunami	අක්කරපත්තුව,    එගොඩපත්තුව
Akkarativu(Ampare) EDODADOOVA   ⚓name This is close to Thoppigala and has been an LTTE camp.	එගොඩදූව
Akkarayankulam (Mooladoova [Mullaitivu]) IKIRIYAN VAEVA   ⚓name This small tank is at the border of Mooladoova and Giranika districts.	ඉකිරියන්වැව
Akkuranai (madakalapuwa [batticaloa]) AKURANA   ⚓name Similar place names found in the South. No equivalent forms in Tamil. Clashes between LTTE and Karuna group during the civil war. Map	අකුරන
Aladikattaikatu,Aladikaddaikadu (Mannarama [Mannar]) AERATI-GAETA-KADUVA   ⚓name, AERATKATUKALÉ Disc. 'Kaddai' has no meaning in T., 'Kaddu'and 'Kadu' taken as Kaatu, i.e., T., காட்ட€; , implies 'forest' as in Sinhala 'Kaele' කැලේ or 'kaduva' or 'katuva'. 'Gaeta' in S. is the 'bitter' young stage of a fruit, may signify 'Kashta' in Sanskrit. Then T. 'kattaikatu' and S. 'gatakaduva' have similar meanings. Map	ඇරටිගැටකඩුව
Aladikulam(Mannarama [Mannar]) AERATIVAEVA   ⚓name	ඇරටිවැව
Aladiwembu, Aladivembu, Alayadi Vempu, Aliadi vempu (Ampare) AERATIKOHOMBE;   ⚓name Discussion: Kohomba in S., Vembu in T., and known in India as the Neem tree (Azadirachta Indica ) is a hardy tree with extensive medicinal and phyto-chemical significance, currently an object of 'bio-piracy' by interested western pharmaceutical companies. See neem revolution   Map	ඇරටිකොහොඹෙ
Allagalla(Vannimava[Vavuniya]) (vanni128   ⚓name) No Tamil form available; listed here as an ancient Buddhist site. Remnants of a 120 ft circular stupa on a large stone hill. There is a stone inscription, old bricks and other artifacts strewn all over. Labeled #128 in Vanni Buddhist sites map	අල්ලගල
Alaikallupoddakulam(Mooladoova[Mullaitivu]) ALAGALPOHODDAVAEVA   ⚓name map	අලිගල්පොත් වැව
Alankeni, Alankerney, Alankemi (Giranikke [Killinochchi]) ERANKURANA   ⚓name   Regional map	එරන්කැන්න,   එරන්කුරන
Alankulam (Giranikke[Killinochchi]) ERANVAEVA   ⚓name Map	එරන්වැව
Alankulam (Sri Gonakanda [Trincomalee]) ERANVAEVA (vanni144   ⚓name) There are two such 'Eranvaeva' sites in the same region. This an ancient Buddhist site included in the list by Archaeo. Dept., Somasiri, 1982. Labeled #142, 145 in Vanni Buddhist sites map The site named as "near the 5th mile post" in the Archaeological dept list is labeled #144 in Vanni Buddhist sites map	එරන්වැව
Alamapia, Alampil (Mooladoova [Mullaitivu]) VAELLAMPILA   ⚓name, VAELLAMPIHILLA Meaning: Tamil "Alama" has no immediate contextual meaning, 'Pil' and 'Pila' are not in the tamil lexicon. The Sinhalese version has a clearer meaning. This location is said to be an important LTTE training encampment. map  Asiatribune	වැල්ලම්පිල
ALavakka(mannarama [Mannar]) ALAVAKA   ⚓name The name is associated with an intermittent stream. The canal of the 'Giants tank' (Yodaveva) at 'Thekkama' is 'Alavaka'. Yodaveva construction is ascribed to king Dhatusena, and Parakramabahu I. Reg. pre-Buddhist links, See write up below for 'Alavakkaisirukkulam'	ආලවක
Alavakkaisirukkulam (mannarama [Mannar]) ALAVAK-AASEERAVAEVA   ⚓name Meaning:     'Alavaka-Aaseerva' is 'salutation' to Alavaka, a 'Yakka' king. 'Alavakka' and `Kasaputta' are place names of the Bulis and Kalaamas ( of the Kalaama sutta). Discussion.   Alavaka is a 'Yakkha' mentioned in the Sutta Nipata, Samyutta Nikaya (Alavaka sutta). It is possible that one branch of the "Pre-Aryan" 'Kirat' people of Nepal possibly migrated to Lanka and were known as theYakkha. (see 'Kirat Vansavali. The Political History of India', H. C. Ray Chawdhary). The Buddhist Lichchavis were probably Kirat people. The Kirat king Jatidasti ruled in parts of Modern Nepal during Buddha's time. Map	ආලවක් ආසිරි වැව
Allai (SriGonakanda [Trincomalee]) SERUVILA-ALLA   ⚓name Seruvila is the historical name; part of Kavantissa's domain Meaning: Place where the yam 'Katuala' is found c.f. 'Alla Govi-Janapadaya' in Mooduthara (Muttur), Dehiwatte, Somapura etc. This irrigation area was set up by constructing an anicut across the Veharagala (Verugal) river, a tributary of the Mahavaeli Ganga. Hist. See G. D. A. Perera's article linked under 'Sampur'. "Allai veva" should be rendered "serupura". The place previously known as "Ali-oluva" (Ali Oluwa), and part of this area is now known as "Seru-Nuvara". An ,inscription of King Dappula IV found here refers to 'Kaudulu vehera'. Seruwila Mangala Raja Maha Vihara (-2 nd Cent.) is a UNESCO Protected site. World-H heritage Page   Calgary Buddhists to build houses for Seruwila IDPs	සේරුවිල- අලපේ
Allaipiddi (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) ALAPITIYA   ⚓name Meaning: Tamil Lexicon does not list a "Piddi" Also, பிட்டி,  'pitti' does not provide a useful meaning. The Tamil pitti is usally associated with "bhittika" or "wall" in Sanskrit. Hence its use in Sri Lankan Tamil has been identified as originating from the Sinhala word "pitiya". The S. word has a clearer contextual validity. history1 Typical war report Located in Urathota (Kaytes Island) see Jaffna map1	අලපිටිය
Alaveddi, Alavetti, அளெவட்டி (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) AELAVEDDA   ⚓name Meaning: Tamil "Veddi" or Vetti have no immediate contextual meaning listed in the standard Tamil Lexicons. The Sinhala "Vadda" in this instance is "approach", path or passage, from "Vadeema", and would agree with the Tamil 'Viti'. 'Ala' in tamil could mean 'muddy', while the sinhala 'aelavaedda' could mean a path defined by (occasional) flow of water. more commonly, 'mud', muddy' in T. is சேறு. Map	ඇලවැද්ද
Alavedduvan (Giranikke [Killinochchi]) ALAVAEDDUVA   ⚓name Map	ඇලවැද්දුව
Alavi(Yapanaya [Jaffna]) ALAVIYA   ⚓name Birth place of G. G. Ponnambalam 1948 elections	ඇලවිය
Alayadimaduchchenai (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) ARATUMADUHENA   ⚓name Map	ඇරටුමඩු හේන
Aliavalai, Aliyavalai (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) ALIAVALA   ⚓name Meaning:   'Alia' in S. is Elephant, 'vala' is pit. Tamil for elephant is "Yanai". 'Ali' has no contextual meaning in T., but 'valai' is 'place'. Map	අලියවල
Alipalai, Aliyapalai (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) ALIAPAELA   ⚓name See remarks under 'Aliavalai'; in S., 'pala' is place.   Regional map	අලිපැල
Aliyansaintakulam (Mannarama [Mannar]) ALISATHUVAEVA   ⚓name, ALIANSANTHAVAEVA Meaning:   In S., it means 'the tank dedicated to elephants'. No clear meaning may be attributed in Tamil. Map	අලිසතුවැව
Aliyadiwembu, Aliyadivembu, Alayadivempu (Ampare) AERATIKOHOMBE;   ⚓name Wembu, vem,bu is the 'Kohomba'(Sinhala), or Neem tree.	ඇරටිකොහොඹෙ
Aliyarvaddai (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) ALIYAVAEDDA   ⚓name The AE rhymes with the A in HAT Meaning:   In S., 'Vaedda' could mean 'forest' or 'entered (arrived)', c.f., Pali "Vattani". 'Alia' in S. is 'elephant, 'Aliyar' is dialect for 'big elephant'. Map	අලියවැද්ද
Alkaddiveli, Alkaddiveli Kulam (Mannarama [Mannar]) ALAGEDIVE'LLA   ⚓name, here E' is long, as in BEijing Map	අලගෙඩිවේල්ල
Alaikkalluppoddakulam (Vannimava [Vavuniya]) ALAGALPOTHVAEVA   ⚓name Map	අලගල්පොත්වැව
Allaippiddi (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) ALAPITIYA   ⚓name ven. E Medhananda cites this place as an ancient Buddhist site map	අලපිටිය
Amarivayal (Puhulmotte [Pulmoddai]) Amariyal Kulam AEVARIVATTA   ⚓name Meaning:   'Aevari' is a Sinhala short-form derived from 'Nil Averi', or Indigo, a blue-dye producing plant. Latin (botanical) name is Indigofera suffruticosa, Indigofera tinctoria<, pea family. The place name 'aevarivatta' exists in the southern provinces. In T., Neela Amari is the name for blue indigo. Map	ඇවරිවත්ත
Ambantativu, Ambanttativu (Puththalama [Puttalam]) SAMBANDA-DOOVA   ⚓name Meaning:   'Sambanda'(සම්බන්ධ) means attached or nearby in Sanskrit, Sinhala and and indeed absorbed into Tamil as well. This is the island closest to the Kalpitiya (Galpitiya) jut-out, being less than a kilometer away. Map Part of the post-war tourist development project: Sri Lankan government to lease out 10 more islands in the Kalpitiya area for tourism	සම්බන්ඩ දූව
Amirthakaly (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) RASAKINDALE   ⚓name Meaning:   In S. and T 'Amurtha' is 'sweet, food of the gods'; Also Sinhala 'Rasakinda' is Tinospora Cordifolia , It is called 'Shindil-kodi' as well as Amirthavalli in Tamil, Heart-leaved moonseed in English, and 'sarakpunka in Sanskrit. Thus 'Rasakindale' stands for a 'forest of Rasakinda'. Map	රසකිඳෙල
Ammivaittan (Vavnimava [Vayniya]) AMBAVATHTHANA   ⚓name Disc.:   'Amba' in S., 'Amiram' and 'mangai' in Tamil, is 'mango'. "Mangifera Zeylanica" is endemic to Sri Lanka and is a threatened species. See Ceylon Mango  Map	අඹවත්තන
Ampakamam (Giranikke [Killinochchi]) AMBAGAMA   ⚓name 'Amba' is Mango, and 'gama'(S), signify 'village'. In Tamil, 'kamam', கமம், implies 'tillage' or 'cultivation, in Tamil Nadu, but used for village in the N & E Sri Lanka, the usage probably originating in Sinhala. Map	අඹගම
Ampalavanpokkanai (Mooladoova [MUlaitivu]) UPULVANPOKUNA   ⚓name In Tamil 'Ampalavaanan' is sometimes a name for Siva. The 2009 LTTE last stand and the No Fire Zone in 2009 (NFZ) included this area. see Manukfarm or Menik farm and Upulvan in the safe zone   Map	උපුල්වන් පොකුන
Ampan (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) ANGPAANA   ⚓name Map	අංපාන
Amparai, Ampari AMPARE, AMPARA, AMBARA   ⚓name Ampara is also the name of the administrative district. Meaning. In Tamil "Amparai" may mean " rock", or mica. Hist. Ambara-gama, part of Kavantissa's domaine. 'Ampara' is most probably derived by tamilization of 'Ambara', b → p. The "ambagaama" mentioned in the chronicles (Cv .lxx.321) is modern Ambagamuva, and not Ambaragama. "Ambalala" and Ambamaala Vihaara., in the Ruhuna, are mentioned in Cv.lxxiv.58, and Cv.xlv.55. 'Ambara' in Pali & Sanskr. means "horizon", and may aptly describe the open-sky of "Ambaranagari". "Ambara" also refers "garments, clothes" as in "Shethambara", "haridambara", etc. Whether "Ambaragama" produced clothes and garments in antiquity is not known. The name may also be from "Amba-ara", i.e., "amba-river", but we have found no records. It is the Gal Oya river which flows by Ampara, as seen in map2 given below. In spite of the well established inscriptional and literary history of this town, tamil nationalists have claimed this to be a "traditional Tamil village" with the name "Ampal Eri". There is no evidence supporting this claim, and in fact most Tamil writers use the form "Amapari".The sinhala name-boards were correctly restored in 1964 when Mr. Olcott Gunasekera was the Government Agent of the area. map1  map2 asiatribune  lankatruth The town itself was populated (during the Eelam war-CFA perid) with a large number of NGOs and INGOs. See city map with NGOs who agreed to be shown. A movie named "Gamini" was located in the Amapara area and based on the Eelam war. The film was directed by Sarath Weerasekera, a Member of Parliament who was a Rear Admiral in the Navy during the Eelam wars. This was filmed in Gonagala, a village setting in this area. Gaminiඅම්පාර
Amplanthurai (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) AMBANLANTHARA   ⚓name, AMBALANTOTA Meaning: Tamil "Ampalan", is not in the Tamil Lexicon, 'Thurai' is related to Skrt. 'Theetha'. The Sinhalese version is a typical place name; 'thara' and 'thota' often interchange in such place names. tamilnet Map	අම්බලන්තර
Amutankulam (Mooladoova [Mullativu]) AMUDANVAEVA   ⚓name Map	අමුදන්වැව
Anaicoddai, Anaicottai, Anaikoddai (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) AENIKOTTE   ⚓name Meaning: Tamil, அணை, 'Anai' and Sinhala 'A`niya' may mean 'dam'. 'coddi' may be a tamilization of Kotta=Kotuwa (fort) in sinhala, or 'Kottai' in Tamil. Map	ඇනිකෝට්ටෙ
Anaipanthy (yapana [Jaffna]) HAANAPANDA   ⚓name Disc. Unlike in 'Anaicoddai', or anikotte, here 'anai' is related to ploughing, or 'hanava' in Sinhala; see under 'Anaippapan'. terrorism  Map	හානපන්ද
Anaippapan (mannaram [Mannar]) HAANAPAMANA   ⚓name Disc. The Sinhala meaning is clear. Even in Tamil, "anaippu", ்அணைப்பு , could mean the extent of land that can be ploughed in a day. Map	හානපමන
Anaisuddapottanai(Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) HAANAKUDAPATANA   ⚓name See disc. under Anaipanthy and other 'Anai-'. Map	හානකුඩාපටන
Analaitivu (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) ANNALADOOVA   ⚓name, INNLADOOVA Meaning: Tamil 'analai' has no clear meaning; 'tivu' in T, 'diva' in S, and 'dweepa' in Skrt. The Sinhalese 'annala', 'innala', or 'ran-ala' are types of yam. Hist: The form Annelletivo, is given in Dutch records. historical Notes map	අන්නලදූව
Anaitivu (SiriGonakanda[Trincomalee]) ANIYADOOVA   ⚓name Disc. This is located on a branch of the "galoya", near Verugala. 'Aniya' here means 'dam' or 'vella' (වේල්ල), unlike in 'Anaippapan'. Map	ඇනියදූව
Anaiviluntan(mannaram[Mannar]) HAANAVILTANNA, ALIVILTANNA   ⚓name In Malayalam 'Aana' can mean 'Elephant', leading to a Tamil 'aani' in addition to the 'yaanai'. See disc. under previous 'Ani-' names. map	අලිවිල්තැන්න
Analkaddimady(Puhulmotte[Pulmoddai]) HAKKATUMATIYA   ⚓name This is located between Puhulmotte (Pulmoddai) and Gokanna(Trinco). Disc. 'Anal,anar' in T. could mean neck, jaw etc. 'Kaddimadi' has no clear tamil meaning. 'Hakkatu' are (elephant)jaw bones in Sinhala. Map	හක්කටුමැටිය
Anandamkula, Anandankuli(Mooladuva [Mullaitivu]) JAANAKAPURA   ⚓name, Janakapura This is near Welioya (Manal aru) which is at the intersection of Mullaitivu, Trincomalee, Vavniya and Anuradhapura districts. Map	ජානකපුර
AndiyapuliKukulam (Vavnimava[Vavniya]) AANDIKOTIVAEVA   ⚓name Disc. 'Aaandi' or Andi, [Kannada. and Malayalam. āṇḍi, Tamil: ஆண்டி āṇṭi] are a non-Brahmin Hindu mendicant group, usu. dressed in yellow. The place-name could have also arisen from "andun-koti-vaeva" as well, where "andun" refers to a black colour.   Map	අඳුන් කොටිවැව ආˡඩි කොටිවැව
Andimunnai, Aandimunai (Halaawatha [Chilaw]) AANNDIMUNNA   ⚓name Disc. 'Aaandi' or Andi, [Kannada. and Malayalam. āṇḍi, Tamil: ஆண்டி āṇṭi] are a Hindu mendicant group, usu. dressed in yellow. Many such mendicants may have come by sea and the area south-east of Galpitiya (Kalpitiya) has several place names involving "Aandi". The word "Munna" is a frontal projection ("muhuna") or abutment of land into the sea or lake. People smuggling starting from the Halavatha (Chilaw) coastal area	ආˡඩි මුන්න
Andankulam(Mooladoova[Mullaitivu]) ANDUNVAEVA   ⚓name Disc. 'Andan' → 'Anthan' in Tamil, and "andha" (Sihala, Sanskrit etc.) can have several meanings, e.g., Yama, blind man, dark/black, etc. This village is located by the sea, south of Mooladoova Map	අඳුන්වැව
Aninchiyankulam(Giranikke[Killinochchi]) PANNIKKIVAEVA   ⚓name Disc. 'Aninchi-' has no Tamil meaning 'Pannikka' refer to a caste designation and 'Aninchiya" may have arisen from it In the 'Panniki' caste are mahots, see 'Panichankemi' Map	පනික්කිවැව
Annammakulam (Mannarama [Mannar]) MAHAMAATAVAEVA   ⚓name map	මහමාතාවැව
Antonimelingikulam (Mannarama [Mannar]) ANDUMILINDUVAEVA   ⚓name, ANTONIMELINGIVA`VA Disc. Antoni Melingi could be a Slavic/Turkish/Greek name At present we have little information on this toponym, except for a suggestion that this is a "Europeanization' of "Andumilindu' vaeva. map	අඳුමිලිඳුවැව ඇන්තෝනිමේලින්ගි වැව
Addalachchena, Addalahena(Ampare) ADDARAHENA   ⚓name n.b., See previous entry for Addalahena	අද්දරහේන
Appakkuttikinattadi (Manaaveva[Mankulam]) MAHARATHGINIVAADIYA   ⚓name Disc.- 'Maharathgini' is a fish known as 'Pterois muricata', and means 'great red fire'; It is brilliant red with black spots. In Tamil, the name 'tappakkutti' is used for the fish. The tamil adaptation of Sinhala 'ginivaadi' gives 'kinattadi'	මහරත්ගිනි වාඩිය
Appalamthurai(Madakalapuva[Batticaloa]) AMBALAMTHOTA   ⚓name An LTTE base till recently (2007).	අම්බලන්තොට
Araly (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) AERAELLA   ⚓name Meaning: No clear tamil meaning; 'Arali' in T., may be 'knot, crushed stone, seed, sea, tubercle or twist. in S. may be from '(w)aralla', or ariyala, a typical place name, where 'ari', or 'aari', referesmeans 'earlier', older (ayya), or even Arya. map birdwatching War Eelam wars, Kobbekaduwa's death etc.	ඇරැල්ල
Arichchal, Periya-Arichchal, Sinna Arichchal (Puttalama) ARAKGALA   ⚓name, Maha-arakgala, Podi-Arakgala These are two islands at the tip of the Kalpitiya (Galpatuna) Lagoon. The names Ahungala (close to Galle), Arangala (close to Balapitiya), and Arkgala (Kalpitiya) are related names given to islets or sites on the western shore of Sri lanka. See discussion regarding Kalpitiya	ඇරක්ගල
Arippu, Arippuva (Mannarama [Mannar]) HARAPURA ⚓name, URUWELA   Meaning: Tamil 'arippu', அரிப்பு, may mean 'Sifting, separating', but has no useful contextual meaning. Sinhala '...pura'--> 'puva' endings relates to a town. The Prakrit/sanskrit usage of "haara", and "Haaragitika", for perals. or bead of pearls, suggests that this may have been Haarapura, consistent with the existence of a pearl fisher in this area mentioned even in the Pali chronicles (n.b.the common sinhala word 'muthu' for perals is also linked with the Sanskrit "muktha" for pearl). The place-name 'Uruwela' has been mentioned in Mahavamsa reg. pearl fishing. history Arippu Bridge, shortest land route to Mannaram from Puttalam opened, 2011 October	හාරපුර හරිප්පුව,   ඌරුවෙල
Arippu (srigonakanda, [Trincomalee])) HARIPPUWA   ⚓name, HARISPATTUWA Meaning see notes on 'Arippu' in mannar district. Note that the AGA division of Seruvila in located in SERUNUVARA, called Arippu in Tamil. MAP fyi	හරිප්පුව
Ariyalai ((Yapanaya [Jaffna]) ARIYALA   ⚓name, Ariyagala, adhiyala Ancient archaeological site. Meaning: T. "yalai" has no immediate meaning, The S. "yala" is typical place name, 'Adhi'=old 'Sihalavaththupakaranya' and 'Rasavahinya' mention an "ariyagala" which is probably in Nagadeepa. However, Ariyala or Adhiyala may have been "ariyagala", a place name which is appended as a first name. "Nagadeepa" probably was the whole of Jaffna and not just the Island Nainativu. n.b., Ellawala Medhananda favours 'Ariyagala. map hindunet	අරියාල
Ariyamadu(Mooladoova[Mullaitivu]) ARIYAMADUVA   ⚓name Labeled #53 in Vanni Buddhist sites map Ancient Buddhist site, listed by Archaeo. Dept. Somasiri, 1982 Map	ආරියමඩුව
Arugam (Bay) (Ampare [Amparai]) ARUNAGAMA   ⚓name, ARRUNAMAGAMTHOTA ARAGAMA Disc. The name "Arunagama" is found in literary records, circa 1766 AD, with references to 'Tissanaga Mudiyanse', a Vedda chief. This town may be the eastern-most point in Sri Lanka, and "aruna", or "dawn" occurs first here! In fact, the easternprovince should be called the "aruna palaatha" insted of "naegenahira palaatha". (also ack., comments from Prof. Meegaskumbura). A village donate to a temple is known as 'aaraamagama' 10th century piller inscriptions near Kondavatavana ruins have used the shortened "aaragama" to refer to an "aaraamagama" there Karanda oya falls into the sea at aaragama Legend. Arugam-bay could be aragamthara → Araganthara "Aragama", which means "that village", as pointed out to King Kavantissa. Also Saigama, where "Sai" -> six -> "Aru" in T. > Both are unsubstantiated, "Jana Pravada". The 'gama' in S. is never used as such in T. where it becomes 'kamam'. Meaning. 'Ara' in S., and 'Aru' in T. refer to a water stream. Today Arugam bay is an internationally known surfing destination. It was strongly affected by the 2004 Dec. 26th Tsunami. Return to Arugam bay by Ratnatunga.   Tsuanmis in Sri Lanka	අරුණගම, අරුණගංතාට
Arugampuleliya (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) ARAGAMPULELIYA   ⚓name The name is insignificantly tamilized	අරුණගම-පුල්එලිය
Arukarkudah(SriGonakanada[Trincomalee]) AARAGALTHUDAWA   ⚓name A branch of the Galoya flows into the ocean here Map	ආරගල් තුඩාව
Arukuveli (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) ADDARAVAELLA   ⚓name Disc. In S., refers to the 'beach nearby' This is also consistent with a similar meaning for 'Arukku' in T. Map  see Jaffna map1	අද්දරවැල්ල
Arumugathanputhukulam, Arumukattanputukkulam (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) KANDAKUMARAVAEVA   ⚓name Meaning: 'Arumugathan=six faces' is 'Lord Murugan' in Hindu lore 'Kanda" in S. is 'Skanda", and 'Puthukulam' is 'kumaravaeva' instead of 'newtank'='puthukulam' in T. fyi කඳකුමාරවැව	කන්ධ කුමාරවැව
Aruviaru, Araviaru (Mannaram) MALVATHUOYA   ⚓name Meaning T. 'aruvi'= 'falls', but today there are no important falls in this waterway. This is the second longest river in SL. The river is mentioned in the Pali chronicles and connected the old capital, Anuradhapura to the annciet port, Mantota; its earliest name is "Kadamba Nadiya". Robert Knox calls it Malvatu oya (Mannar) history	මල්වතුඔය
Asikulam (Vavnimava, [Vavniya]) AADHIVAEVA   ⚓name No clear meaning in Tamil map SPUR	ආදිවැව
Atambagaskada(Vannimava[Vavniya]) ATAMBAGASKADA   ⚓name Ancient Buddhist site. There is a "Kiriviharaya", and a "Sudramaramaya" near here. The ruins include a shrine room, remnants of a square building, many stone pillars, and destroyed brickwork. There is part of a stone sculpture and signs of a much larger Buddha statue. The eyes of the head of the statue have been plundered by treasure hunters. The present-day temple itself has several archaeological objects, including a Samadhi statue, and inscriptions of the 7-8th CE. Labeled #97 in Vanni Buddhist sites map	ඇටඹගස්කඩ
Atchuveli ((Yapanaya [Jaffna]) ATHURUVAELLA   ⚓name 'Atchu' or 'Achchu', no clear contextual meaning in Tamil 'AthuruVAELLA' is common sea-side name in Sinhala see entry under Achchuveli. Buddhist ruins. Phillipus Baldaeus-(a Dutch who in Jaffna for 9 years) records a great pagoda in Atchuveli, where the Portuguese army beat the Last Sinhala army unit in the peninsula.	අතුරුවැල්ල
Athimottai, Attimottai, Attimoddai (Mannarama [Mannar]) HASTHIMOTTE;   ⚓name. AETHUMOTTÉ, Meaning: Tamil for elephant is "Yanai", or "Gajam" from the Skrt. 'Gaja'. 'Athi' could be vaguely connected with a 'fig tree' in Tamil or Sinhala ('aththikka' tree) but this is not a species found here 'Motté' ← Moddé ← Madé signifies a muddy, swampy place. The latin word for 'marsh' is 'madeo', while Skrt. 'manda' means slime. Ancient Buddhist ruins, see p.78 E Medhananda(2003) Map	හස්තිමොටේ
Athiyamalai,Ayittiyamalai (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) HASTHIYAKANDA   ⚓name, A`THKANDURA Meaning: See discussion under Athimottai Map	හස්තිකන්ද
Attanakkallai (Anuradhapura) ATHTHANAGALLA, Hattha-Vanagalla, Hasthikchci Hasthikuchchi (see write up under Hasthikuchchi, near Galigamuwa). The Athtnagalla Vihara is famous for its association with the legendary `Bodhisatva king' Siri Sanghabo who reigned from 300-302 CE, is recounted in the 13th century Pali literary work known as the "Hattha Vanagalla Vihara Vamsa". Article on Siri Sangabo and Atthanagalu vamsa The pious king renounced throne when faced with an uprising engineered by his ambitious younger brother Gotahbaya, and became a forest hermit. However, Gothabaya placed a ransom on the out-going king's head. When a wondering peasant came across the hermit, the peasant told the hermit ex-king about the ransom on his head. The legend states that the ex-king offered his own head as a gesture of `daana' (selflessly giving to others), a concept that is an important part of the Buddhist ethic which aims to extinguish selfish greed. However, similar legends of pious kings who become hermits and donate their head are found in several classical traditions of Asia minor and India.	හස්සංගල්ල
Atumagaskodai, Athumagaskotai, Atumagaskoda (Vannimava [Vavniya]) ATUMAGASKADA   ⚓name, ATUMAGASKADA Meaning: ATUMANG-ASAKADA → AETUMANG-ASKADA → ATUMAGASKODA ``Aetu manga'' in sinhalese is the `path' taken by elephants. The name probabaly means the village near the path of the elephants. Compare Alimankada (elephant pass); This is a small village about 7 km towards the North of Vannimava (Vavniya). Development in the area after the war, a report in 2012	ඇතුමංගස්කඩ
Ayiniyankankani Alavakkai (Mannarama[Mannar]) ALAVAKA   ⚓name This is very close to 'Alavakkaisirukkulam' and the whole area was probably originally known as AALAVAKA This is of interest in regard to possible pre-Vijayan North Indian contacts with Sri lanka. See under 'Alavakkasisirikkulam' Map	ආලවක
Azhiyanilai,Aliyanilai (Gantale [Kantalai]) AADININDAYA   ⚓name Disc. 'Aziyamarutal' in T. means 'Property given in Perpetuity In Sinhala., 'Aadinindya' implies an old 'nindagama' This is close to the north of Somawathie Chaitya Sanctuary. Hotel construction near Somaathie, 2010	ආදිනින්දය

B