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Kudimpikallai (Pothuvila [Pottuvil])
KUDIMBIGALA, Kudimbigala
About 10 km from Panama, towards Okanda. Some 200 shrines and ancient Buddhist-hermit meditation lodges are found in a ~5000 hectare Forest hermitage area in the rocky jungle. The lip of the cave with the first white-washed shrine an an ancient Sinhala-Prakrit (Brahmi) inscription ~2 or 3rd century BCE. There is a dagaba (Dagoba) on the top of the highest rock which affords a beautiful panoramic view of the neighboring area with a view lagoon, sand bar towards the shore, and the Weli-ara (Vaeli-ara) ridge.
Kachchai (yapanaya [Jaffna]) KAHAVA Comment: Kachchagoda, Kachchakaduwa, Kachchakodiya and Kahava are found in the south as as well; 'Kachchakaduva' refers to the "golden sword" tradition among the Karava cast group. Kachcha refers to "gold" or "yellow" etymologically, kachchavanna → Kahavanu is the "gold" currency of olden times. In Pali, "Kaasa" is a stub meaning 'yellow', and in Sanskrit: kanaka; Greek. knh_kos yellow, and also Sanskrit: kaaeana, probably from 'khacati' (shine=the shining meta) 'kaccha' in Sanskrit can also mean a bank or any ground bordering on water, shore, or 'wide shore' (see Cologne Skrt dictionary). The nearest Tamil form "Kadchi" means "Forest, place of rest", etc. and is not a suitable choice. See Map | කහව |
Kachchanthoppu (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) KAHADOPE See disc. under "Kachchai". The 'Thoppu' may have no clear meaning, and is possibly a modification of the sinhala 'Dope', where the 'o' is as in 'long'. 'Doape' probably means 'twin-village', or village on the islet. | කහදෝපේ |
Kachchatheevu, Kachchativu, கச்சதீவு (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) KACHCHADOOVA, KAESBADOOVA Indian english uses "Kacchatheevu, while Sri Lankan and British usage (e.g., that of Horsburgh, the Government Agent of the Northern province and the leader of the Ceylon delegation to the 1921 conference on the Indian-Ceylon maritime boundary) seems to be Kachchativu. Disc.- This island was accorded to Sri Lanka in July 1974 under a treaty between India and Sri Lanka during Sirima B's time. It is closer to Sri Lanka (16.9 km) than to India (20.2km). Atal B. Vajpayee, then in opposition, and speaking in the Loksabha, claimed that the name 'Kachchativu' came from 'Valideep', the island where Rama and Vali (a vaanara king) fought. However, neither the account given in the Mahabharatha, Bki III, Vana Parva, Sec. 278, nor that of Ramayana, Bk IV, Canto 16 is consistent with such a claim. --- In the Loksabha discussion it is stated "that although Srilanka's claims of sovereignty over Kachchativu has been recognized, the traditional rights of Indian fishermen and pilgrims to visit that island will remain unaffected. Similarly the traditional navigation rights exercised by India and Sri lanka in each others waters will remain unaffected". The "Dravida Paravai" group has been campaigning to revoke the agreement between India and Sri Lanka on Kachchadoova. More recently, pro-LTTE politicians and others have also joined this campaign. A recent report (2008) is found in an article in theAsia Tribune The view of a madras University Professor --- The word "kachcha' is the early sinhala (Pali) word 'kassa',or 'kachcha', i.e., yellow, e.g., kassavanna=yellow or gold colour. 'Kachcha-kaduwa' is a golden-sword honour claimed by the Karawa caste. The place name "Kacchatittha" occurs in the Mahavamsa(Ch. 25). See discussion under place name: "Kachchai". The possibility that "Kachcha" is derived from the Tamil "kadchi", i.e, "Forest, place of rest", nest, bed, etc, is unlikely since the island has no forest, no water and is hardly useful as a place of rest. Its geology is such that any rain seeps through the limestone. A modest St Anthony's shrine built in the 20th CE, gets its fresh water supply from the mainland. However, the island has been used by fisherman to dry their nets. The possibility that the name arose from ''kaesba'→'sea turtles' is related to the presence of sea turtles in all these islands, including 'Chagos Island'(Diego Gracia) whose flag has a coat of arms with two turtles holding up a crest with the British flag. In Skrt. 'kachchapa' means 'inhabiting a marsh , a turtle, tortoise. A species of yellowish lizard, Calotes liocephalus, is also common to this south-Indian-SriLankan area. (W. Erdelen: Journal of Biogeography, Vol. 11, pp. 515-525 (1984) Review, fishing, church | කච්චදූව |
Kaadakulam, Kadakulam(Mooladoova[Mullaitivu]) KIRALVAEVA Ancient Buddhist site, listed by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri, 1982 Disc.- 'Kaada' in Malayalam is 'Tunix Taiggor', a type of quail See also, p 856 of the Madras Tamil Lexicon. Labeled #71 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | කිරලවැව |
Kachchilamadu (mooladoova[Mullaitivu]) KAEKIRIMADUVA 'Kaekiri' is a type of melon, L. Cucumis melo-utilissimus The Tamil work 'Kakkari' derived from Skrt. 'Karkati' exits. However, here a transliteration to Tamil has been effected. | කැකිරිමඩුව |
Kadapirai, Kattapirai (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) KADAPILA, GAETAPIHIRA Small village between Nallur (Naakpur) and Iurpali Meaning: ' Pirai' may be 'crescent' in T. 'Kadapila' is 'Town area' in S. | කඩපිල |
Kadarkaraichenai (Sirigonakanda [Trincomalee]) KADAKARAHENA Meaning: 'Kadakara' in S., 'Kadarkarai' in T., means 'seashore'. 'Chenai' is the Tamil form of the Sinhala word 'Hena'. Map | කඩකරහේන |
Kadakulam (mooladoova {Mullaitivu]) VATUVAEVA Ancient Buddhist ruins, Listed in 1982 by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri | වටුවවැව |
Kaddaikadu (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) GA`TAKADUWA War: Army/navy camp near Elephant Pass. | ගැටකඩුව |
Kaddawan, Kaddavan (Madakalapuva[Batticaloa]) KATUVANA | කටුවන |
Kaddumalai(Mooladdova[Mulaitivu]) KATUKANDA Labeled #33 in Vanni Buddhist sites map Ancient Buddhist site, listed by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri, 1982. | කටුකන්ද |
Kaddamuruvakulam (Madakalapuwa[Batticaloa]) GATABURUTHAVEVA Disc. 'Muruva' in T. could mean Bow string hemp But we have found no clear analysis in T. | ගැටබුරුතවැව |
Kaddaiparichchan (Sirigonakanda[Tricomalle]) GAETABARAHENA meaning: in S. is clear; in T.,'Kaddai' has no clear meaning 'Kattai' in T. could mean "Kashta", as in Skrt., i.e, bitter or deficient. 'parichchan' has no clear meaning in the context of a place name. 'Kattaiparikkan' is consistent with an adaptation from the Sinhala. This area was regarded as part of "Koddiyar bay" in dutch-VOC maps Map | ගැටබරහේන |
Kaddukulampattu(Sri Gonakanna[Trincomalee]) KUTTAMKOLONPATTUVA, vadunnabima Disc.- In Cleghorn's minute after the 1766 treaty of Amiens, it is stated that, "At that period the Candians ceded to the (Dutch VOC ) Company the countries (i.e. districts) of Coetiar, Tamblegamme, and Koutamcolonpattoe..... N.B., this is not a town, but a "pattuva", i.e, effectively, a district. A 10 CE stone inscription at Kallampattuva favours the name 'vadunnabima. Many villages were buried in the deep jungles of Kaddukulam Pattu when the British colonial Civil servants like Hugh Neville serving at Trincomalee as Government Agents (later Asst.Govt.Agents) discovered villages like Morawewa, Ethawetunawewa, Pettawa, Kivulekada, Relapanawa, Medawacchichiya, and others, populated by Sinhala speaking residents. Thus, see for example, scholarly articles by Gerald Peries, and Hennayake's Newspaper article Gomarankadavla Massacre See also "kurakkan Kaddukulam" | කුට්ටම් කොලොම්ප ත්තුව |
Kaddumalai (Mooladoova [Mullaitivu]) KATUKANDA | කටුකන්ද |
Kaddupulan, Kattupulam(Yapanaya[Jaffna]) GOTHAMALUVATTA This is about 1/2km from Punnnala(Ponnalai), on tke Peduru Thuduva road. Ancient Buddhist site. Excavations unearthed remains of a temple complex which may have been connected with the arrival of the Bo sapling. | ගොතමලුවත්ත |
Kadduvan (yapanaya [Jaffna]) KATUVANA, KARAVANA Currently in the 'high-security zone' in Jaffna See also 'Punnalai Kadduvan' 'Kadduvan' ↔ 'Karavanna' can also be a "bund" or raised path at the edge of a paddy field, as in 'Kara-vanna', where 'kara' is edge, and 'vanna' is 'path' or approach in old sinhala. Katuvana on the other hand implies a passage or place which is a thicket. see Jaffna map1 | කටුවන |
Kadiraweli, Kadiraveli, Katiraveli (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) KADIRAVAELLA, anglicized to Kadirawella. See Katiraveli or Katiraiveli below for more details. war Sea tiger activity. | කදිරවැල්ල කිහිරිවැල්ල |
Kadirgamam, Kadirkamam, kathirkamam, Kattirkamam, Kadhirgamam (Monaragala District) KATHARAGAMA This is most likely a shrine to to Alexander the great who invaded India in the 4th century BCE. The Sanskrit name 'Skanda', and the sinhala 'kanda'- kumaru (prince kanda) are probably derived from the Persian form Iskander → Skanda. It is also possible that the evolution Skander (Skanda)" → 'kadar' → "Kadir" took place. The Buddhist shrine Kiri vehera has been here since ~3rd century BCE, and by the time Alexander's reputation arrived in Lanka, he had already been apotheosized as a God, and also inter-twined with many other regional Gods like Murugan or Kartekeya. The Manimekalai story ofKovilan and Kannaki → Pattini (or Valli amma) may also have links with this shrine. In fact, here we have a Kovil to Valli amma, Kovil to Devayani Amman, and also a Kovil to Ganesha. The earliest Tamil literary references to Kataragama (in the context of Skanda-Murukan in the form Kathirkamam ) is in the 15th-century devotional poems of Arunagirinathar. Today Buddhists, Hindus, and even Muslims come to this shrine where impressive exercises in self-mortification and fire-walking may be seen, especially in the month of Esala (~July-August). However, with the advent of tourism, many tourist resorts have begun to present fire-walking and self-mortification shows having little to do with the deities of Katharagama. M. D. Raghavan, 1962 Kataragama - The Ceylon Shrine of God Kadira Kataragama.org the Kataragama-Skanda website | කතරගම |
Kadubalagama(Mooladoova[Mullaitivu]) NO tamil form Ancient Buddhist site. Labeled #68 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | කඩුබලගම |
Kadiyawattai, Kaadiyavattai(Kalutara district) Karadiyawatta, Kaadiyawatta (Dharga town) Then name Kara-diya (brakish water) watta (grounds) was used by the older generation of residents since the water in the area was often inundated with brackish water that came up the Bentota river (Benthara ganga). This is less of a problem today as the mouth of the river ("Moyakata") migrated northwards towards Aulthgama and Moragalla. Today this has become a Muslim town with the Sinhalese bought out by the Muslims, already by the mid 1970s. The name has also become "Dharga town". The town has seen conflicts between traditional Muslim groups and more recently established fundamentalist Mulsim groups, since 2004. These inter-Muslim conflicts are little known outside the Muslim community. But Dharga town has become most well-known after the "Aluthgama" Sinhala-Muslim clashes in July 2014, precipitated by an alleged Muslim attack on a Buddhist monk, followed a few days later by clashes allegedly linked to the aftermath of a meeting held by the Bodu-Bala Sena, when people marched to near by Dharga Town (Kaadiyawatta) where clashes between Muslims and Sinhala activists took place. | කාදියවත්ත කරදියවත්ත |
Kahalankadavala(Gokanna[Trincomalee]) Sinhala name; Ancient Buddhist site. Labeled #132 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | කහලන්කඩවල |
Kaitadi, Kaithady (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) KATTADIYA Meaning: Sinhala 'Kashtadiaya' → Kattadiya → 'Kaitadi' in T. Historic bridge built in 1836, blown up by LTTE in 2000, and rebuilt by the SL-army in 2001. The Nuffield School for the Deaf and Blind is in Kaithady. It was opened by Lord Nuffield in 1956. see Map | කට්ටදිය |
Kaivelikulam, Keewelikulam, Kaivallikulam (Mooladoova [Mulaitivu]) KAETIVAELIVAEVA, katiweliVAEVA See Map and news reports, 2008 | කැටිවැලිවැව |
Kakkapalliyai (Puttalam) KAKKAPALLIYA The forms 'palli','halli, alli' mean village or place ('pala' in S.). Such a usage is current in telugu and kannada (c.f., Thiruchirapalli, Jalahalli.) It also means a place of worship as villages usually involved a temple. In modern usage in SL, it refers to a christian church or mosque. See also the disc. under 'Pachchilaipalli'. | කාකපල්ලිය |
Kakkachchippittidal (Madakalapuva[Batticaloa]) KALUSIPPITUDUVA 'Kalasippi' is a type of dark-brown mussel, found in many lagoons and also rivers (with brackish water) in the east as well as the south. The word 'Kalu" here signifies dark brown or blackish colour of the mussel. In tamil 'Kakka' is used rather indiscriminately for many varieties of mussel and oyster, but more specifically for the brown mussel The mouth of the "Benthara ganga" at Bentota" in the south-west is famous for the Crassostrea M. Oyster, as well as for the brown mussel. However, the east coast, and the Jaffna area also have a great abundance of these and other oysters, clams and mussels. See the entry under SIPPITHUDAVA. Map | කලුසිප්පිතුඩුව |
Kakkachchi Vaddai, காக்காச்சி வட்லட (Madakalapuva[Batticaloa]) KALUSIPPI VALA | කලුසිප්පිවල |
Kakkaraitivu, (Japanaya [Jaffna]) Sakkara doova 'Sakkara' here is related to 'kaekaerum', kaekkara' or hot, and even the Dutch name 'Calienye' for this island means 'hot' and is related to the Spanish-Portuguese 'Calient', derived from the Latin ' Calor' for heat, Proto-Indo-European Kele.. and keke.. The island is close to Maedundoova (Naduntivu). | සක්කර දූව |
Kalimadu(Madakalapuwa{Batticaloa]) GAALMADUVA Disc. In. T,(and Malayalam),kāli.; காலி , could mean a heard of cows, p898, Madras Tamil Lexicon, agreeing with the 'gaala' in Sinhala. Map | ගාල්මඩුව |
Kalkudah (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) GALTHUDAAVA Beach resort is now a theater of war See UK guardian report on Child soldiers etc. Map | ගල්තුඩාව |
Kallady,Kalladi (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) GALADIYA Map | ගල්අඩිය |
Kalladichchenai(SriGonakanda[Trincomalee]) GALADIHENA Ruined dagaba and pre-christian inscriptions found here, linking the site to the "PaashanaPabbatha Vihara" of King Mahanaga. This area is close to the Elachchaan Pattu archaeological zone where Brahmi-Sinhala inscriptions from 3-1 century BCE was found in 1956. The Lankapatuna Vihara (Muhudu Vihara) is ~6 km south of this site. Other inscriptions dating to the 5th Century CE are also found. A 16th century Tamil inscription is also known from here. See, Ephi. Zey. Vol VI, Part 1, and the Sinhala article (Silumina 05-aug-07) under "Vishesaanga". Map | ගල්අඩිහේන |
Kalliaditivu,Kalladitivu (Mannarama) GALADI DOOVA Small island south of Velanai (Bellana) and Uruthota (Kayts). | ගල්අඩි දූව |
Kallanpattu (sri Gonakanda[Trincomalee]) KALLANPATTUVA Ancient Buddhist site, listed by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri, 1982 10th century inscriptions. 'Kallan' probably refers to an outcast 'kafeer' social group Hence this name is probably not the ancient place name. Labeled #139 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | කල්ලන්පත්තුව |
Kallar(Sri Gonakanada[Trincomalee]) Galvaraya This is at the mouth of the Yan Oya (Yan aru), and is believed to be the historic harbour where Thapssu and Bhalluka embarked (Poojaavaliya). This may also be the harbour referred to as "Deegamandala Thitta". See article by E. Medhananda, 2001 in the "Felicitation volume for "Budungala Loku Hamuduruvo". See entry under Tiriyaya. | ගල්වරාය |
Kallar, Kallaru, Kalaru (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) GALAARA, GALOYA This is close to the mouth of the Galoya river It was used by Rajasinghe II to launch the attack on the Portuguese in Puliyanduva (Is.); today Galaara is used by the SL armed forces. map In Tamil Nadu, kallar is the name of a caste. This caste is not seen in the SL-tamil hierarchy Kallar here is the same as the Sinhala 'Galara', a rocky stream. See also 'Periyakallar' | ගල් ආර |
Kallaru, Kalaru(Vannimava[Vavniya]) GALARA, GALAARA There is also an adjacent 'Galaara Amuna' here. This is an ancient Buddhist site; it is listed in the Archaeo. Dep. report, 1982. Labeled #112 in Vanni Buddhist sites map. Note that there is also a 'Kal Aru', i.e, "Gal Aara", a water stream which falls to the eastern board near Mooladoova (Mullaitivu) Label #113 is a site known as Galaare' amuna. | ගල් ආර |
Kallichcha(Madakalapuwa[Batticaloa]) GALISSA Map | ගලිස්ස |
Kalliyadi (Mannarama [Mannar]) GALADIYA, GALLIYADDA This is on the coast, between Palaamaduva and Bellanvaeva (Vellankulam), north of Mannar. The sinhala name "Gal-liyadda" may have also been used. | ගල්අඩිය ගල්ලියැද්ද |
Kallikai (yapanaya[Jaffna]) IBBBAAVA Map | ඉබ්බාව |
Kallikaddaikkadu(Mannarama[Mannar]) IBBAKATUKALÉ Disc. 'Kaddai' has no meaning in T., 'Kaddu' and 'Kadu' taken as Katu, i.e, in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telegu , kāḍu means 'forest', as in Sinhala 'Kaelé Map | ඉබ්බකටුකැලේ |
Kallikulam, Kallikkulam (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) IBBAVA`WA Another Ibbavava('Kallikkulam') in mannar district. Disc. In T., கல்லி could (p 772 MTL), mean tortoise, or 'Ibba' in S. Map | ඉබ්බවැව |
Kalimadu(madakalapuwa[Batticaloa]) GAALMADUVA Map | ගල්මඩුව |
Kallikaddaikadu (Mannarama[Mannar]) IBIKATUKALE', the E' as in Less Disc.- See kallikulam. 13 km south east of mannar. | ඉබිකටුකැලේ |
Kalmadu (Mannaram[Mannar]) GALMADUWA Note that there is also a ' kalmadu' in Vavniya, but not located in maps. Map | ගල්මඩුව |
Kalmadu(madakalapuwa[Batticaloa]) Galmaduwa Fishing village, 15 km N of Batti, heavily damaged by the Tsunami. This is near Bintharahena(Brynthuraichenai) | ගල්මඩුව |
Kalmadu(Gokanna[Trincomalee]) GALMADUVA Ancient Buddhist site. The name may have originated from the many stone pillars found here. Remnants of old buildings, and other artifacts abound. A clay animal figurine found here is displayed at the Gokanna(Trinco) museum. Labeled #140 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | ගල්මඩුව |
Kalmattankulam, Kalnattankulam(Vannimava[Vavniya]) GALMAETTAN VAEVA Ancient Buddhist site. Labeled #129 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | ගල්මැට්ටන්වැව |
Kalmunai (Ampare) GALMUNNA, GAL-AMUNA Also Kalmunaikudi,GALMUOONTHUDA 'galmunna', Galmoona, means stone embankment or facing-point in the shore, and a harbour may have existed here ("Deegamandala Thitta") See article by Ellawala Medhananda, 2001 in the "Felicitation volume for "Budungala Loku Hamuduruvo". Strong Tsunami damages, Science 28 January 2005: 502-504 DOI: 10.1126/science.307.5709.502 Small Dutch fort Regional map | ගල්මුන්න |
Kalmunai (Giranikke, [kilinochchi]) GALMUNNA, GAL-AMUNA Amuna m ay refer to a bund, wall or cliff. Regional map | ගල්මුන්න |
Kalnattankulam (Vannimava[Vavniya]) GALMAETTAN VAEVA Ancient Buddhist site; in the list by Archaeo. Dep. Mr. Somasiri, 1982 See Kalmattankulam. | ගල්මැට්ටන්වැව |
Kal Oya, Kaloya, Kaloyai (Gal Oya valley) GALOYA There is also, Kaloya sandi, which is GAL OYA HANDIYA, and similar derived names in the Gal-Oya valley area. Gal Oya scheme is the river valley irrigation and settlement scheme developed during the D. S. Senanayake era to reclaim the ancient Digamadulla area which went back to pre-Christian times. B. H. Farmer, a Cambridge Geographer has written a balanced analysis about this development effort. D. S. Senanayake, and Dudley Senanayake took great care to avoid the charge of communal discrimination by appointing a preponderence of prominent Tamils (like Mr. Kanagasundaram, Sri Kantha etc.) to run the Gal Oya Board, and many Tamil engineers were the executives of the program. Ponnamblam had already made this accussation in front of the Soulbury commission which rejected it, using extensive briefing from its research wing made up of the colonial civil service. However, Ponnambalam and Chelvanayagam were always ready to make such ethically inflammatory accussations. Finally, the Eelam movement labeled Senanayake as a Sinhalese chuvinist who "colonized the exclusive homelands of the Tamils". Some Sinhalese labeled the Senanayakes as a black colonials in cabal with the "Colombo Tamils". But D. S. Senanayake, and his son Dudley were great visionaries who attempted to follow the model of the ancient hydrulic civilization of Lanka, and did their best to be fair-handed, within a pro-western liberal-capitalist tradition. | ගල් ඔය |
Kalpitti, Kalpittiyam, Kalpitiya (Puththalama [Puttlam]) GALPITIYA, KALPITIYA The Dutch called it Calpentyn, or Calpetty. The name "PITIYA" is probably a corruption of the older name "GAL-PATUNA", where "patuna" refers to a coastal harbour, used as such even during Rajasingha's time. The dutch form "pentyn" is clearly a modification of "patuna". Christianized Tamils from Mannar were brought here by the Dutch. The name "Kalpitti" was adapted into Tamil from "Calpentyn". The modern sinhalized form "Kalpitiya" is hence probably not directly drawn from the original "Galpatuna". Illustrations and views of Dutch Ceylon 1602-1796, by de Silva and Beumer (1988). Kala Oya flows into the sea north of kalpitiya. Emerson Tennent remarks in his book on Ceylon (1859) "One of the most remarkable animals on the coast is the plant eating dugong, numbers of which are attracted to the inlets, from the bay of Calpentyn (Kalpitiya) to Adam's Bridge, by the still water and the abundance of marine algae in these parts of the gulf. One, which was killed in Mannar and sent to me in Colombo in 1847, measured upwards of seven feet in length, but specimens considerably larger have been taken at Calpentyn". The Dutch built a fort here and attempted to control King Rajasinghas trade with India. The area is popular with divers, snorkelers and nature lovers. The Vilpaththu (Wilpattu) reserve is close by, and the war with the LTTE has touched this region. The old Dutch fort is currently used by the Navy. The Festival of St. Anne is held on July 26. | ගල්පිටිය කල්පිටිය |
Kalukundanmaduva,Kalukundanmaduwa(Vannimava[Vavniya]) Not a significantly tamilized name Ancient Buddhist site, listed in Archeo. dept. Somasiri compilation. Labeled #127 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | කලුකුඳන්මඩුව |
Kalundiai,Kaullundaai,Kalundiaay (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) GALINDIYA 'Gal' in Sinhala, 'Kal' in Tamil refer to 'stones' or rock. 'Diya' is water, and this designates a rocky flow of water, possibly also indicating a scarcity of water in the flow. | ගලි න්දිය |
Kalutavalai, Kaluthavalai, Kazhuthaavalai கழுதாவளை (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) KATUKILIYAVALA 'Katu-Kili", or "Katu-Ikili" is the throny shrub Acanthus illcifolius, known in Tamil as "Kalutai-mulli", and "Kalumul" in Malayalam. "Val" means, in the present context, a small thicket. | කටුකිලිවල |
Kaluwanchikudi (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) KALUPANCHITHUDA | කලු ප න්චි තුඩාව |
Kaluwankemy, Kaluwenkemy, Kaluvankerni (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) KALUVANGAMA Recent history linked with three Vedda tribes(Varige) Vedda-vellar, Motukaduveddda, Kurangudinni-vedda These veddas fish, in addition to hunting. | කලුවන්ගම |
Kalvettai (Vannimava [Vanviya]) GALVAETA | ගල් වැට |
Kalvian, Kalvilan (Mannarama [Mannar]) GALVILA, Galdiaya Disc.- "Galvila" means stoney pond. There is some evidence that area may have been called "galdiya". 'Galdiya', literally Stone water, probably is an illicit "toddy". Also, in T., "kalliyam→galdiyam" could mean a fermented liquor" This small town is 3km south west of Dunkukaya (Tuhunukkai) and has been an important garrison town of the LTTE till August 2008. Defence report see Map | ගල්විල |
Kalviankadu, Kalviankaadu (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) GALVILKADA, GALDIYAKADA Disc.- GALVILKADA is the older name. 'Galdiyakada' is a thicket where "Galdiya=hooch", i.e, toddy, was brewed. For an account of the village, and a trip along A9 See We arrived in Kalviankaadu, my mothers village. | ගල්විල්කඩ |
Kalviankadu, Kalliankaddu(Madakalapuwa[Batticaloa]) GALAVILKADA This is within 5 Km of Batticaloa | ගල්විල්කඩ |
Kambermalai (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) JAMBUKANDA This is a village close to Vali-vaeti-thara. The first LTTE soldier casualty, Sathiyanathan alias Shankar or Suresh died on 27-nov-1982 Shankar's sister was married to 'Soosai' (Thilaiamblam Sivanesan, Sea Tiger Commander.) | ජමිඹුකන්ද |
Kanagarayankulam, Kanakarayankulam, Kangarayam kulam (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) GANARAJAWAEVA Labeled #36, #121 in Vanni Buddhist sites map Ancient Buddhist ruins, Listed in 1982 by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri Two other sites by the same name,in Mannarama and Mooladoova; see below. Vavniya:-important LTTE battles, Sept.-Nov. 1999 LTTE air-strip. 10 miles south of Maanavaeva(Mankulam), on the A9 War, 199 | ගනරාජවැව |
Kanagarayankulam, Kanakarayankulam, Kangarayam kulam(mooladoova[Mullaitivu]) GANARAJAWAEVA Labeled #36, in Vanni Buddhist sites map Ancient Buddhist ruins, Listed in 1982 by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri. | ගනරාජවැව |
Kanakarayankulam (Mannarama [Mannar]) GANARAJAWAEVA See Map | ගනරාජවැව |
Kanchuramoddai, Kanduramoddei(Mooladoova[Mulaitivu]) KADURUMOTTE, (KAHAMBILIMOTTE), 'Motte ← Modde ← Made' signifies a muddy, swampy place. The Latin word for 'marsh' is 'madeo', while Skrt. 'manda' means slime. Tamil word for mud could be "akaru", 'cetumpu", "ceru", "kesaru", "man-". This location is labeled #41 in Buddhist sites map. Ancient Buddhist site, listed in the Archaeo. Dept. report; Somasiri,1982 Kanchura, kanchiram, or Kandura is used in T, K etc. for Strychnos nux vomica, 'Godakaduru' in Sinhala. It may also be a name for a type of climbing nettle, "Kahambiliya". We use the transformation of of the name of the 3rd century BCE "Kadurugoda" shrine to "Kantharodai", in guiding our analysis. Map | (කහඹිලිමොටේ) කදුරුමොටේ |
Kanchirankuda, Kaangchirangkuda, காஞ்சிரங் குடா (Madakalapuva [Batticaloa]) KADURUTHUDUVA 'Kaduru' is Sinhala for Strychnos nux vomica, kanchiram in T. See entry under 'Kanchuramoddai'. | කදුරුතුඩුව |
Kandavalai (Giranikke, [kilinochchi]) KANDAVALA Regional map | කන්ද වල |
Kandaladi (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) KANDAWADIYA | කන්ද වාඩිය |
Kandarodai((Yapanaya [Jaffna]) See Kantharodai | කදුරුගොඩ |
Kandasamymalei, Kandasamimalei (SriGonakanda [Trincomalee]) NEETHUPATHPANA This ancient village is close to Tiriyaya Hist. There is a hill with three meditation caves and Brahmi inscriptions, Thuparama-style `vatadage' with stone pillars and Stupa. Stupa is now a mound of earth. Many stone pillars removed to the village and used to build a new Saiva Kovil. This site is vandalized by politicized groups | නීතුපත්පන |
Kanjikudichchi Aru, Kanjikudichchi kulam, kanchikudichchi- (Ampare) KanjikudiAru, Kagnchikudichchaaru, etc. KANDI-KA`DICHCHA Ara, KANDI-KA`DICHCHA WEWA, KAENDA-KAAPU VAEVA Disc. Name has been recorded in maps, and in the Gazzetter as `Kangi-kadichi-' ara. The name may mean `the tank with broken bunds' However, the tank would have had a name before the `bunds' fell. Gieger in his Mahavamsa refers to Dhigavapi as being "Kandiya-katta" tank. See also the entry under Irakkamam (Dighavapi) Another meaning: In both S. and T., `tank (where) broth was drunk'. However, 'Kudi' There is no clear evidence for the latter. The name is clearly a confusing literal tamilization. After an evaluation of the data, we suggest: KANDAGODA ARA, KANDAGODA VAEVA and is close to Kanadakudi aru etc. Hist. There are Buddhist ruins on the two hills on either side of the tank bund. One hill has a 20 ft. dagaba which has been pillaged A Hindu Kovil is being built on another ruined site, using ancient stone slabs and pillars The other hill has 11 caves which may have been used for meditation One cave has a stone inscription with Brahmi (early Sinhala) inscriptions circa 2nd century B. C. or older Other stone slabs are dated to be circa 8th century. An un-permitted Ganseh Kovil is being built here. When the archaeological dept. attempted to declare this a protected zone, the file was mysteriously lost from the Ampare kachcheri. Subsequent to that, this area has been under LTTE control. See Archaeo. Dept. file EC/B/E/43 folio 42-44. | කන්ඩිකැඩිච්ච --ආර, --වැව |
Kangankulam (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) SANGAMVAEVA | සංගම්වැව |
Kankesanthurai, KKS (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) DAMBAKOLATHOTA, JAMBUKOLANTHARA,Dambakolapatuna Jambukolapattana, Dambakolapatuna, Sambilithura, Sambilithurai The name is often abbriviated to "KKS". The ancient names are given in the Bodhivamsa and other Pali chronicles. Etymology The Sinhala "Patuna" (e.g., as in Yapa Patune, c.f., Jaffna) and the corresponding Sanskrit/Pali words "pattana", "pakkana" are used in the Mahabharata to denote a town or village, and "Dharmapattana" is a name given to the city of "Sravasti" in Pali. Enter Pattana into Univ. of Cologne dictionary 'Jambukola' in Mahawamsa , hence 'Jambukolanthota' would be the port or 'theetha' at Jambukola 'thota ='thara'; Jambu → Kampu → Kan; Kolanthara → kesanthuraei An ancient road connecting K. to Anuradhapura existed. Sangamitta, said to be Emperor Asoka's daughter, is said to have brought the 'Bodhi sapling' via this port ~3rd century BCE. An entourage of many artisans and technologists accompanied her, providing support to the construction projects of the city of Anuradhapura. The Language of Sri Lanka (earliest form of Elu) at that time seems to have been a form of Southern Prakrit probably very close to Asokan Prakrit (Maagadhi) See also, entry under 'Champththurai', and Sambilithurai The Yaaldevi train ran between Colombo and Jaffna and Kankesanthurai until 1990 (i.e., prior to the destruction of the tracks by the separatist LTTE. But since the end of the war (2009), the tracks have been repaired in stages. It is extended to Dambakolathota (Kankasanthurai) in 2013, completing 160 km of track from Vannimava (Vavniya). Yal Devi operates to KKS from 21013 This town housed the earliest Cement factory in Sri Lanka, established during the time G. G. Ponnambalam was the minster of Industries in the early UNP governments. This was an important theater of war and provided a maritime connection between Trincomalee and the Peninsula during the Eelam-iV war. This is the endpoint of the "yaal-devi" train which starts from Colombo and reaches KKS after some 450km. The track was bombed at Kokavila in 1985 by the LTTE terrorists who systematically vandalized all the train stations north of Vannimava (Vavniya). The state of the turn table at Kankesan used to rotate the engine, as seen in 2009. The station was destroyed by the LTTE | දඹකොලතොට |
Kankuvel(Sri Gonakanda[Trincomalee]) HAKGEDIVAELLA c.f., Sankuveli in Jaffna. | හක්ගෙඩිවැල්ල |
Kannaddy (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) GAMNADIYA | ගංනදිය |
Kannakipuram Kannagipuram (Ampare) PATTINIPURA, Paththinipura Meaning: The Sinhala 'Pattini (Paththini)' is usually identified with the Hindu Kannaki Amman, whose temples are common in Batti., Ampara and other parts of Sri lanka. Popular Sri Lankan Buddhism also accommodates homage to Goddess Kannaki. The Mariyamman (Mari amman) goddess cult is closely related but seems to date from about the 15th century. The Saivites prefer Mariyamman to Pattini. The name "Paththnipura" probably dates back to pre-christian times. The relationship of 'Pattini' with the Kataragama Shrine to Alexander (Iskander or Skanda), and the story of the 'Kiri-vehera' also need more research. Fire walking, long associated with the Pattini-kannaki cult is celebrated at the Katharagama shrine to Skanda. see regarding The Pattini cult in Sri lanka by Padmanathan. Kannaki Amma was invoked against plague and small pox, hence the usage 'amma-warunge leda'. Pattini was considered a 'guardian deity' of Lanka at one time. Other 'deities like "Devol' of Seenigama should be considered in the context of Pattini worship, as well as the Vijaya legend. For a folk-lore account, see Seenigama Devale and animistic rituals, Chulie de Silva. The shrine on the beach “Welle Dewale,” Unawatuna, Chulie de Silva The Indian tradition regarding 'Pattini' is verified in 'Silappathigaram' (Cilappatikaram), while the Sri lankan versions 'Kannaki valakurai kavyam', and "Manimekalai' are 2nd Century Tamil poems about the Daughter of Kannaki who became a Buddhist nun. The story involves Pandyan Kings in Madurai. The early Pandiyans (and many southern Kings) preferred fair-skinned North Indian women as queens, and hence the Pandyans were closely linked with the Gupta dynasty. Even the mother of the Chola king Karikalan was a Gupta princess, and he was hence known as 'Sundara Gupta'. It should be noted that in the Vijaya legend, after getting rid ofPrincess Kuveni (Ku-veni) (i.e., literally, dark-coloured princess), Vijaya seeks a bride from the family of the queen in Madurai, i.e., a North Indian princess of the Gupta lineage! In the Cilappatikaram (Silappatikaram) account Kannaki is a chaste, stern, dutiful female character married to Kovilan, a male figure who falls for a courtesan named Madhavi (of Jain faith) and wastes the family fortune. Kannaki forgives him and gives him one of a pair of golden anklets, to be used in the city of Madurai to raise money for his business. But he is falsely arrested on the charge of having stolen the anklet from the queen of the Pandyan king, and beheaded. Kannaki appears before the king in righteous rage, displays the duplicate of the anklet as proof and curses the king and his kingdom. She rips off her left breast, throwing out flames which immolate her, the king's court and the entire city. Kannanki herself rises to heaven and is today revered as the goddess 'Paththini' (Pattini). In today's context, the use of female suicide bombers by the LTTE, with their explosives hidden around their brassieres or belts, clearly has some cultural resonance with the idea of the 'Pattini' goddess and many other sacrifice symbols of Hinduism. A vigorous continuing discussion of these ideas and the more matter-of-fact treatment (e.g. see Dying to Win by Robert A. Pape) may be found in various articles, e.g., M. Roberts, "Self-Annihilation - Tamil Tigers & Beyond: Cultural Premises inspiring sacrificial suicidal acts." Dec. 2007. See also William Harman, Women, Theosis, and Sacrificial Violence in Sri Lanka, Oct. 2008 See entries under Kannankuda, Gomarankadawala, Chankanai, Madhu etc. | පත්තිනිපුර |
Kannankiramam(SriGonakanda[Trincomalee]) HAANAGAMA, KAENNAKIRAMA khananastambha. Disc.- 'Kirama' (kiramama in T.) is from the Skrt. 'Graama → gama' in S., while Skrt. 'khanana' may be the source word for the Sinhala 'Kaeneema', to excavate, dig', and 'haana', i.e., to 'plough' in Sinhala. Also, is not clear if 'Gannan' or 'Kannan' refers to a priestly caste or a toddy-tapping caste ('shanan → kannan'). Kannan cult is close to the Paththini cult of Sri lanka. Kannagi or Kannaki is the heroine of the Silapathikaram. 'Kannan' in Tamil may also mean Krishna or Vishnu. See entries under Gomarankadawala, Chankanai, etc. This is a village near Valashena (Valaichenai); no map. | හානගම කැන්න කිරම |
Kannankuda (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) KAENNATHUDAVA, Disc.- Skrt. 'khanana' may be the source word for the Sinhala 'Kaeneema', to excavate, dig, and 'Haana', i.e., to 'plough' in Sinhala. Also, is not clear if 'Gannan' or 'Kannan' refers to a priestly caste or a toddy-tapping caste ('shanan → kannan'). Also, Kannagi is the heroine of the Silapathikaram. See entries under Gomarankadawala, Chankanai, etc. There is a 'Kannagi Amman' temple in Kannankuda killings at Kannagi temple Map | කැන්න තුඩාව |
Kannantanai(Galthudawa[Kalkuda]) KANNANTAENNA, GANNANTHEANA See entries under Kannankuda, Gomarankadawala, Chankanai, etc. 'Thaenna' is a common sinhala ending for 'place', location In pure Tamil the usage is '(s)thaanam', and the form 'thanai' found only in Sri Lanka is probably a sign of adaptation from Sinhala. map | කැන්න තැන්න |
Kannantivu (Japanaya [Jaffna]) KAENNA DOOVA See entry under Kannankuda, for etymology This is a small island near Uruthota (Kayts) and Pugngadiva (Pungutivu). | කැන්න දූව |
Kannimaduva, Kannimaduwa(Vannimava[Vavniya]) Ancient Buddhist site Labeled #119 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | කැන්න මඩුව |
Kanniya (Sirigonakanda [Trincomalee]) KANNIYAWA, UNUDIYAAVA Meaning: Perhaps similar to the shortening of Kanya-kumari in Tamil Nadu to Kannia Unudiya→Ana-diya→anan-niya→Kanniya is a possible sequence. Kannaki-Amma (Mari Amman) temple and hot springs near by. see pictures etc. | උනුදියාව කැන්නියාව |
Kantalai, Kanthalai, Kandhalaai (Sirigonakanda [Trincomalee]) GANTALE (GANTALAVA) Hist.De Queyroz: "Gantale", Tenent's map: "Gantalava" Stone seat inscription in Sinhala by King Nissankamalla (12 CE). There is also a GANTALAWA near by, but separate from Gantale (Kantalai) The Gantale tank was built by Agrabodhi II in the 7th C. AD. MAP | ගංතලේ |
Kantarodai, Kantharodai, Kandarodai, Kandharodai((Yapanaya [Jaffna]) KADURUGODA,KADIVUNGODA, KANDAGODA Kadivungoda is the earliest form, while the later 'Nampotha' uses 'Kadurugoda'. Indraratne (Thesis, 1965) writes: "Kantarodai has yielded very important Buddhist finds, which prove the existence of an important Buddhist establishment in the region in early times. Such artifacts as the glazed tiles and the circular discs discovered here have helped to connect the finds with those of Anuradhapura. Sinhala Nampotha, dated in its present form to the fourteenth or fifteenth century, preserves the names of some of the places of Buddhist worship in the Jaffna peninsula. Kantarodai is mentioned among these places. The others are Nagakovila (Nakarkovil), Telipola (Tellippalai), Mallagama (Mallakam), Minuvangomu Viharaya (Vimankamam), Tannidivayina (Tana-tivu or Kayts), Nagadivayina (Nakativu or Nayinativu), Puvangudivayina (Punkutu-tivu) and Karadivayina (Karaitivu). The name "Kandaroda" is probably from the Pali "Kandara" (ara) which is today tamilized to "valuka aru". The name 'Kadhiramalai' is also found in Tamil works, and sometimes identified with the "city of Singai". However, see Rasanyakam History of Jaffna. kanchiram' is used in T., for Strychnos nux vomica, 'Godakaduru' in Sinhala. Opposition to Buddhist archaeologists hist. Ancient Buddhist center, 200BC Inscription in Sinhala by King Dappula IV (10 CE). historical Map | කදුරුගොඩ |
Kanthaudaiyarpuvarasankulam(Vannimava[Vavniya]) KANDA-UDA-SOORIYAVAEVA, &nbsdp, PODI-SOORIYAVAEVA map | කන්දඋඩසූරියවැව පොඩිසූරියවැව |
Kanthapuram (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) KANDHAPURA Disc. Related to Skanda (?) | කන්ධපුර |
Kanthasamynagar (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) KANDAHIMIPURA meaning: kandaswami is 'Skanda'. | කඳහිමිපුර |
Kappaladi (Puttalama) TALAVILA, KABALADISSA This means 'accident' (adissa) to the boat(Kabala), or 'shipwreck' The Talvila catholic shrine to St. Anne is located here. | තලවිල |
Kappalthurei, Kappalthurai(SriGonakanda[trinco]) HABALTHOTA 'habla' in Sinhala is a 'paddle' and 'habalthota' implies a marina. In Tamil, 'Kappal' can mean a 'boat' or a guard or watchman Indian Tamil, Muslim and Sinhala settlers in cultivation schemes since 1977 War Frequent LTTE/SLF clashes, Claymore bombs etc. e.g., April 2006 Ethnic cleansing by the LTTE map | හබල්තොට |
Kapputhoo (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) KAPUDOOVA see Jaffna map1 | කපුදූව |
Karachchi, (Giranikke[Killinochchi]) KARACHCHIYA "Kara" refers to a location close to the shore. ``Rachchiya'' is derived from "(a)rajjya", which refers to an administrative center, occupied by an "Aarachchi". Thus Karachchi, or "Kara-rajji" was an old administrative center in the region, maintained mainly to collect taxes associated with the trade in the area, going across the Uttara Desha and the Vanni. Regional map | කරච්චිය |
Karadumunai, Kaaradumunai (Puttalama) KARADIMUNNA "Karadiya" refers to salt water-i.e., a location close to the shore. See Kalpitiya area | කරදිමුන්න |
Karadipokku (Mooladoova [Mullaitivu]) KARADIYABOKKA see also "Karadippooval." See Map and news, 2008 | කරදියබොක්ක |
Karadippooval, Karadippuval, கரடிப்பூவல் (Madakalapuva[Batticaloa]) KARADIYAVALA Disc.- Karadya-vala refers to salty water holes, mostly found in arid coastal areas. 'Kara' means sea shore in Sinhala and in Tamil also. This place name is found in Madakalapuva, Gokanna(trincomalee), Mooladoova(Mullaitivu) Puththalama and Hambantota. Poval can also mean a large well in Tamil, cognate with the sinhala "vala". In Tamil,'Karadi' may mean 'bear'. Hence Karadippooval and suggest watering hole used by bears. However, that is unlikely since no such name is found in the middle of the Vanni (i.e, away from brackish water) where there are many bears and watering holes as well. | කරදියවල |
Karadiyanaru (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) KARADIYAARA, KARADIYAOYA Disc.- 'Karadi' in Tamil may mean bear, and 'Karadiyanaru' may be stretched to mean 'river frequented by bears. 'karadu, karaddi' may also mean rugged terrain in Tamil. Also 'Kara' means seashore both in Sinhala and Tamil. Meaning In S. and in T., 'sea-water, i.e, brackish water stream' | කරදියආර |
Karaitivu(Puttalama) Karadiva Island between Puttalama lagoon and Munthalama (Mundal) lagoon | කරදූව |
Karaitivu (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) Karadiva, Karadipa, Ahidipa Ancient Buddhist ruins. Near Pungudoova (Pungutivu). This is an island near modern "Nagadipa", and mentioned in the Akitta Jataka which is one of the few Jataka stories that refers to south India. The Bodhisatva, i.e. the acetic Akkitta left Benares and came to Karadipa via Kavirapattanam (a town close to Bangalore). A "Kara tree" (Canthium parviflorum) on the Island becomes the refuge of the ascetic. It is probably the origin of the place name. According to the Jataka story, Karadipa was known as Ahi-dipa (i.e, snake-island). The Jataka mentions that God Sakra visited Akitti in Karadipa. | කරදූව |
Karainagar, Kaarainakar, காலரநகர் (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) KARANAGARA Meaning. In S. and T., town by the sea, or the town of kaara leaves. Ancient Buddhist site, mentioned in the Nampotha as 'Karadivayina'. It was known even in Tamil as 'Kaaraitheevu'. The name change occurred with the construction of the Punnali causeway in the late 19th Century, and officially in 1922. Dutch records give the name 'Nieuw Amsterdam'. However, its oldest name was 'Kaaradeepa', also previously known as 'Ahideepa', as stated in the Buddhist Akitti Jaathaka, which relates the story of the Buddhist recluse Akitti who came to Kaaradeepa. Akitti lived on a diet of Kaara leaves. Hence the name may have arisen from 'Kaara', a thorny shrub. The Paali name 'Kaara' is used even in south Indian inscriptions. Thus Tamil inscriptions (Udayendiram copper plates) refer to Kaara trees, said to be Webera tetrandra. The 'bodhsathva' Akitti is also known as Agastiya in the Jaataka maala, but Malalasekera warns against confusion with the Vedic Sage Agastiya. Even today there is an ancient Buddhist site known as Vearppiddi (Veherapitiya). Megalithic burial sites are found at Chaththiranthai (Chatrangana - i.e., arena for hoisting flags.) Karainagar had a Nordic boat-building aid program since the 1980s. The Dutch also built a small fort called Hammanhiel, used today as a SL Naval Base The government naval base located in this island is named Elara. | කරානගර |
Karadikulam, Karatikulam (Mooladoova[Mullaitivu]) VALASVAEVA Ancient Buddhist site, listed by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri, 1982 Disc.- 'Karati' in Tamil, 'Karadi' in M, K, Te could refer to the black bear. 'Valasa' in S. also refers to the black bear typical of its forests. Needless to say, there are several 'Valasvaeva' locations. Labeled #96, also #98 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | වලස්වැව |
Karadikkuli(Mannarama[Mannar]) KARADIKULIYA Disc.- Here 'Karadi' refers to salty water. The word `Kuli' was used in old sinhala for hamlet or village. 288 the verse (9th century), Sigiri Mirror-wall – "I am Gunakara (of) Ambagam-kuli (of the) Northern Province | කරදිකුලිය |
Karampon, Karampan, கரம்பன் (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) KARAMBAPONA, Karampana Meaning: 'Pon' in T. may be 'gold' and not contextually meaningful, and 'Karam' cannot be attributed. However, Tamil Karampai may mean barren/rugged land. In S., 'pana', 'pona' indicate a village or habitation; the name may mean a presence of a type of trees, e.g., as in Kirulapona. Sinhala 'Karamba' tree is "Carissa spinarium" or "Carissa carandas" (Heen Karamba) 'Kaaram' may mean alkaline or lime-like, and might indicate a region of harsh, poor soil. See trees in Sri Lanka forests | කරඹ |
Karanavai(Yapanaya[Jaffna]) KARNAEBA This means "near the shore" in Sinhala. see Jaffna map1 | කරනැබ |
Koravakukulam(Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) KORAVAKVAEVA Ancient Buddhist site; in the list by Archaeo. Dept., Somasiri, 1982 | කොරවක්වැව. |
Karativ-pomparippu (Puttalam) KARDOOVA-Ranparithaya meaning Karadoova in S. or Karative in T. means a small landmass by the sea. 'Pomparippu' is a name which exists by itself T. gold, 'Pom' ↔ 'Ran' is gold in Sinhala; 'Parithaya' is a place or distribution. | කරදූව-රන්පරිත්ත |
Karativu (Ampare) KARADOOVA meaning Karadoova in S. or Karative in T. land by the sea Regional map Hist. Baldaeus,1658, Caradiva | කරදූව |
Karaveddi (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) KARAVA`DDA Meaning: Veddi is tamilization of 'Va'dda', or approach road, cf. va`deema 'Kara' is (sea)shore or '(moodu)kara', in S. and also T. President Premadasa’s assassin, Kulaweerasingham Weerakumar alias 'Illango' alias 'Babu' was originally from Karaveddi. President Premadasa's security, May Day 1993 see Jaffna map1 /td> | කරවැද්ද |
Karaikattumulai(Vannimava[Vavniya]) KARAKATUMULLA, KURUNDA Disc. - 'Kara' in S., and karai in T'. refere to the sea-shore. King Agbo (6CE) had built a temple here in 'Kurunda'. Invading forces of Kalinga-Magha, and also Chandrabhanu, had military camps here. We do not have an unambiguous location for this place. If you have more info., please write to place.names@dh-web.org | කුරුන්ද කරකටුමුල්ල |
Kariyalaimoddai (Giranikke [Killinochchi]) KURUVALMADE, KURAVALMADÉ "karaval" here mean a dried, dark, stunted forest, while 'Madé' refers to a "muddy place". The Tamil "Kariyal", கருகல்-kurukal, could also mean "that which is black or charred" (MTL, page s195). | කුරුවල්මඩ |
Kariyalaivayal (Giranikke [Killinochchi]) KURUVAL-VATHTHA "karaval" here mean a dried, dark, stunted forest, while 'vathha; in Sinhala and 'Vayal' in Tamil are interchanged in usage and mean essentially the same thing. The Tamil "Kariyal", கருகல்-kurukal, could also mean "that which is black or charred" (MTL, page s195). | කුරුවල් වත්ත |
Karaimullivaikkal, Karaiyamullivaikkal, Kariyalamullivaikkal (Mooladoova [Mullaitivu]) Karabatuagala, karabatu-vakkkadé KARABATUVAKKDE ⚓name Meaning: In S., Agala is a channal or sewer. Vakkadadaya is a water sewer or "Agala, (va)ggala, vakkala". In Tamil vaikkal could also mean a water sewer or drain. "Mulli" could also refer to "batu", and "karabatu, vaelbatu" are types of "batu" which are adapted to the shore ecology. This village was largely reconstructed after the 2004 Tsunami, and had good housing used by the LTTE high command during thier "last stand" in May 2009. Capture of the coast near Karaimullivaikkal This is in the No Fire Zone in 2009 designated in 2009 during the LTTE last stand Claims of civilian casulties in the NFZ See discussion under "Mulliyavalai" | කරබටුවක්කඩේ කරබටු අගල |
Karandhai (Giranikke[Killinochchi]) KARANDA "Kara" signifies near the shore. Regional map | කරංද |
Karugampanai (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) KALUGAMPANA | කලුගම් පන |
Karukkakulam (Mannnarama) KALUPINNA-VAEVA Kulu-pinna, also called Gas-pinna is "Clerodendrum infortunatum". This is a location close to "Yodha vaeva", Giants Tank. | කලුපින්නවැව |
Karungkodith-theevu, Karunkodditivu, Karunkottitivu கருங்கொடி த்தீவு (Ampare) KALUKOLLADOOVA This is a dark leaved creeper (bot. Cryptolepis buchananii) which gives a milky sap, used in local medicine. | කලු කොල්ල දූව |
Karuppaddamurippu, Karippaddamurippu (Mooladoova [Mulaitivu]) AETHUVAETIKANDIYA, KALUPATHMURAYA 'Athuvaeti' here means, 'elephant fell'. see etymology of murippu | ඇතුවැටි ක න්ඩි ය කලුපත්මුරය |
Karuvaachchoalai(Madakalapuva[Batticaloa]) KURUNDUGOLLA Disc.- 'kurundu' is Sinhala for cinnamon (bot. Cinnamomum zeylanicum) The earliest occurance of the sinhala word 'Kurunda-' is 100 CE, where King BhallaataNaga had built the "Kurundapasaka' temple. There are references to "kurunndavaapi'' (tank), Kurundaka velu (temple), and place names like "Kurundurata, Kurundaka, Kurundugamrata, etc. Ivory (British ccs) has suggested that Kurundurata is 'Kadavath Korale'. Given that the Pali texts also refer to "Kuru rata" in India, 'Kurundu' which may mean 'from Kuru', or originating from Kuru', suggests that cinnamon may have been brought from the land of 'Kuru' and planted in 'Kurundu rata', probably during Devanampiyatissa's time. Tamil for 'cinnamon' is Ilavangkam (or Ilavangkap-paddai). However, in SL, the sinhala 'Kura' has become converted to the form 'Karu' by a commonly found linguistic inversion, and the form kurap-pacholai → karuvaa-choli, where 'karuvaa' is a name for cinnomon found only in Sri-Lankan tamil, being a derivate from early sinhala. Another possibility is a derivation from "kayu manis" (sweet wood) found in Indonesian and malaysian usages (kayuma(nis)→karuva(nis)). 'Cinnamon gardens' or Kurunduvatta (Colombo-7) is called 'Karuvakkaadu' in Tamil. The english 'cinnamon' may be from ''chinese wood'' (cinna ← chinni, cheena is 'chinese' in many Indic languages. Some writers have attempted to connect the SL-tamil word 'Karuva' with the Tamil "Kaaral, Kaarppu or Kaalppu", meaning "pungent". However, these etymologies are not accepted in Tamil lexicons. 'Kurunthu' in tamil applies to 'Wild lime'(val dehi in S.). In effect, the etymology needs further research. Read about Different types of cinnamon | කුරුඳුගොල්ල |
Karuvaakkeani (Valashena[Valaichennai) KURUNDUKAENNA Disc.- As discussed under Kurundugolla(Karuvaachchoalai), the word 'karuvaa' is a tamil word for cinnamon, used exclusively in Sri Lanka, and derived from a sinhala root word. 'Kaenna' is a dug-out area in the ground (pond); usually 'ayam', 'kuttam', 'kulam' in T.; however keani is used in SL-tamil and may be a derivate of the sinhala 'kaenna'. | කුරුඳුකැන්න |
Kathiraveli, Kathiraiveli, கதிரவெள (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) KADIRAVAELLA, KIHIRIVAELLA The word 'Kadira', from Sanskrit, probably refers to Mimosa Catechu' of the 'accacia' family, and is the 'Kihiri' tree in Sinhala; and 'Karuveal' in Tamil. Other etymologies have been discussed., for example, early Tamil settlements here may have promoted the name 'Gatthara-vaella' where 'Gaththara ← Gothra' implied 'tribe'. The word Gaththara may have become 'Kaththira' and 'Kadir' etc. The name progression "Alexander" → "Iskander" (Persian),→ "Skander (Skanda)" → 'kadar' → "Kadir" shows the link with the 'Katharagama' Murugan Shrine. 'Veli' in Tamil, வெள (p 3806, Madras U Lexicon) does not mean 'sandy shore' as in Sinhala, but it has acquired such a meaning in Sri Lankan Tamil, due to the influence of Sinhala. Repeated military activity Map, and SLF in Jan. 2007 | කදිරවැල්ල කිහිරිවැල්ල |
Kaththarsinnakulam (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) ADDARAPODIVAEVA. | අද්දරපොඩිවැව |
Katakulam (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) KAETAVAEVA, anglicized to KetaVAEVA. | කැ ටවැව |
Katsunai, Katsunei (Sri Gonakanda[Trincomalee]) KAETAHUNNA Ancient Buddhist site, listed by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri, 1982. | කැ ටහුන්න |
Kattakulam (Sri Gonakanda [Trincomalee]) KASHTAVAEVA Also, kattakulam Pattu is a regional name. This is an ancient Buddhist site; given in the list by Archaeo. Dept., Somasiri, 1982. Labeled #147 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | කෂ්ටවැව |
Kattankudi, Kattankudy, Kathankudy, Kaathaankudi (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) KATTANTHUDA, KATTANTHUDUVA, Kattanthudava Meaning: 'Katta', in S. and also, 'கட்டக்குடி' in T. refers to a type of sea perch, often used for making dried fish, viz., 'katta-karavala' The word Kudi is often used as short for "Kudival", "Kula-variga" in Sinhala which means "clan lineage". Hence "kattankudi" may also be a caste name. (See the discussion of the Batticaloa caste system under Madakalapuva). However, the main caste in the area is Ellavakudi (as also in Akkarapattuva, Saindamarudu and Potuvila). Hence we distinguish "Kattanakudi" from caste-name related place names. It is a fishing village which started off from the name of a type of fish (Kattaawa). See also, the entry under Nindapura (Nintavur). 140 Muslims were murdered during prayer, August 1990 by the LTTE. More recently, conflict inside the Muslim community has arisen due to the growth of Wahhabism, allegedly funded by Gulf donors. Militant Wahhabism ? Asia Tribune article. There are 42 mosques in Kattankudi !> Map, October 2005 | කට්ටන්තුඩුව |
Kavutarimunai (Giranikke, [kilinochchi]) VATUVAMUNNA, TITHTHIRIAMUNNA Meaning: Kavutara -is the Indian Partridge, 'tittiri' in Skrt., and also in Pali. In addition, 'Kakkara' is used in Pali. A common name for the bird is "vatuva", or 'Us-vattuva'. Kakkkara → Koththara. Regional map | කොත්තරමුන්න වටුවමුන්න |
Kayts (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) URATHOTA, URATARA, TANJADOOVA Also 'Uraturai' and 'Urkavalthurai' were the tamilized forms. Ancient pre-CE Buddhist site. Mentioned in the Nampotha as Tannidivayina. It was a major Naval base under Parakramabahu I (12th century CE). Military History of Sri Lanka See also Ports of Ancient Sri Lanka, by J. Amarasekera. Urathota is mentioned in the 'Nainathivu' inscription (written partly in Tamil), of Parakramabahu. It is mentioned in the 'Thovila' ritual 'Kohombakankariya'. During the Portuguese period, it was known as Cais [meaning quay], giving rise to the current English name. Baldaeus, 1658, used the name 'Ourature'. Ealam wars, Kobbekaduwa's death etc. | ඌරුතොට |
Kayankerni, kaayankerni (Madakalapuwa) KAAYAM-KAENNA, Kaymkaenna, Kayamkenna Kaayam refers to any type of pungent earth in sinhalese. The same meaning is found in the Tamil 'Kaayam', but not in the form 'kaayan'. The word 'kaenna' in Sinhalese means a dig, or excavation of the earth (c.f., kaeneema). The Tamil 'kerni' is not listed in Tamil lexicons and it is not used in the tamil language. It is most likely to be just the work 'kaenna' modified into Tamil usage. | කායම් කැන්න |
Keerimalai, கீரிமலை Keeramalai(Yapanaya [Jaffna]) KIRIKANDA, VAKULAKANDA Vaakulakanda, anchor name: Vakulakanda. Disc.- This is a famous Hindu shrine; Nakulesvaran temple. Malai in T., Male in Sinhala. is hill, Keera → Ksheera in Sanskrit; the name could arise from the 'milky' coloured limestone rock where the temple stands. But a deeper history lies underneath The Nakulisa deity, worshiped by the Pasupata cult (5-6th century) was a fusion of early south Indian Buddhism and Hinduism into an anti-Vedic saivism. Details about the Pasupata cult. Nakulisa→ Nukulesvaram is the Hindu God celebrated at the Keerimalai temple The words Nagula in sanskrit, and Nakula in Pali, mean 'Mongoose'. It was literally translated to Tamil as 'Keeri' by Chola settlers Subsequently, legends relating Nakulesvaran as having a mongoose face, were absorbed in the transition to a Saiva temple Prior to the rise of the Pasupatha cult in India, both south India and Jaffna were majoritarian Buddhist, Jain regions. The names Nakula, Pakula, or Vakula are well known in early Buddhist texts. In Tibetan art and texts, the 9th Arhant is given as Bakula and holds a mongoose. Buddhist texts mention a 'Nakulpitra' as the father of the Arhant associated with the mongoose. These, together with the depiction of Nakulisa in a Buddhist style in Pasupatha art (Bhuvanesvar, Orissa) suggest the strong influence of Mahayana on the early Pauspatha cult. A pre-Pasupatha Mahayana shrine associated with Vakula may have existed at this site in pre-Chola times during the rise of Mahayana influence in Sri Lanka, from ~200 CE., while the Pasupata came later. This may have been preceded by a purely Buddhist shrine prior to the rise of the Mahayana influence in Sri lanka. The Pali texts 'Rasavahini' and ''Sahassavatthupakarana' give some information on ancient Jaffna(Nakadivu). Given that Kirikanda (Keeriamalai) is probably the highest point in the Yapanaya area, it would have been a natural choice for a temple in pre-christian era Buddhist Jaffna. A re-reading of the Pali texts, with this hypothesis in mind is now needed. Also, archaeological excavations are a crying need. Thus, confirmation of the identity of the names Tambapanni Sara in Pali and Tamben Vila in Sinhala would be valuable. 1998 Report on Mahasiva Rathri after a decade lapse, Nakuleswaran temple Keerimalai~A Land of Sacred Springs & Spirituality by D Kanagasabapathpillai | කිරිකන්ද වකුලකන්ද |
Kepapilavu, Keppapilavu (Mooladoova [Mullaitivu]) KEPPALUVA This was originally a low-caste subdivision (panguva, or paluva in Sinhala, and piluva in Tamil) inhabited by a Telegu-speaking `depressed' caste (Keppu caste) who worked in ships that came to the Mooladoova inlet during medieval times. Mooladoova was probably an important eastern port and storage location of goods during the Anuradhapura period. The Telegu speakers probably migrated here much later, but perhaps as early as the Magha invasions. During the Eelam wars this area was used by the Tigers for military purposes. Today it is a part of the naval security establishment and contains a high-security zone (HSZ). Although this area had not been occupied for decades except by the Tigers, some IDPs have been `set up' (since 2011) by political advocacy groups to claim settlement exactly in these areas, as a means of targeting the HSZ. However, the government has offered alternative settlement in Seeniyamottai, near Nadakadola (Nadikadal). | කෙප්පලුව |
Keridamadu (Mooladoova [Mullaitivu]) KELINDAMADUVA This is located on the OThThAN-THUDAVA(Oddusuddan)-(Aluthkulissa) Puthukudiruppu road. 'Kelinda' is probably Wrightia Zelanica (dogbane family) Map etc | කෙලිඳමඩුව |
Kevil (Yapanaya[Jaffna]) KEULA, Keulvila Keulvila, or Kivulvila refers to `hard' or 'salty' (Kivul) water. This is a main LTTE base at Alimankada (Eleph. Pass). | කෙවුල |
Keviliamadu(madakalapuva[Batticaloa]) KEULMADUVA | කෙවුල්මඩුව |
Kilali, Kilaly (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) KIRALA, GIRAALA 'Kila' in Tamil could mean 'search, probe, bough' etc., but provides no useful contextual meaning. Kirala in Sinhala is a type of mangrove (sonneratia caseolaris) with edible fruit, as well as a common water bird, the "red-wattled lapwing". See write ups under 'Iralaikulam, 'Kadduvan'. War: Army camps see Kilaly massacre, 2002 | කිරාල, ගිරාල |
Kilinochchi, கிளிநொச்சி (Giranikka, [kilinochchi]) GIRAANIKKA, GIRANIKKE, GIRANIKA, GIRANIKKA (anchor name) Labeled #21 in Vanni Buddhist sites map Discussion. In Kannada, 'nochchi' denotes the tree 'Vitex Negundo', This is the 'Nirgundi tree' in Sanskrit, and 'Nika tree' in Sinhala. Also Sinhala 'Giraa"='Kili', the corresponding word in Tamil for parrots. The name 'ven-nocci' is used in Tamil for 'Vitex negundo'. 'Nochchi' itself does not occur in the Tamil lexicon, but the place name 'Giraanikke' could have given rise to "kilinochchi". Note the many place-names with "Nika": Nika-dalupotha, Nika-haetikanda, Nika-potha and Nika-waeratiya etc., exist. History. First century CE stone pillars and other Buddhist ruins are found here. Lumbini Vihara that existed here was a bird sanctuary and Buddhist Aaaranya, said to have been respected even by the Maagha invader. War This was the operational headquarters of the LTTE since its abandoning of Japanaya (Jaffna) in the mid 1990s, when it forced the people to re-locate into the Vanni and remain under LTTE control. It was recaptured on 2nd January 2009 by government troops, and the LTTE corralled the civilian residents and retreated with them, to be used later as human shields. Giranikke captured V. Anandasangaree represented the Giranikka (Killinochchi) seat in Parliament for 14 years, as a TULF member. See Regional map | ගිරානික්ක |
Kiliveddy, Kiliveddi (Sirigonakanda [Trincomalee]) GIRIVA`DDA 'Velayudha Swami Kovil' for murugan worship Pre-Christian Girivadda Sri Wardana temple and BO-tree wilfully destroyed by a racist MP, see Sri Lanka Hansard, Oct 7 1983 debate. History: GDA Perera's article n.b. Note that the ending "veddi", "vetti", "veddy" etc., are reasonably common. See Allaveddi, Karaveddi, Vel-vetti-thuai, etc., even in this list. | ගිරිවැද්ද |
Kinniya (Sirigonakanda [Trincomalee]) HEENNIYARA ? military base, south and south east of Manirasakulam (see entry under Kurankupanchan). See News reports on the Kinniya LTTE base, 2003 | හින්නියර |
Kiran (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) GIRANA military base, c.f., battle of Somapura (see Sampur) during Eelam wars. . This was the village of Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman, the leader of the Tamil Makkal Vuduthalai Puligal Party (TMVP) | ගිරාන |
Kiranchi, kiranchchi (Giranikka [Killinochchi]) GIRANNA This is a small village near Nagathudava (Nachchikkuda) on the west cost. Map with A32-B69-A9 roads Regional map | ගිරන්න |
Kirankula (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) GIRANKULA | ගිරන්කුල |
Kiristhavakulam (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) GIRITHAVAEVA More research is needed here. | ගිරිතවැව |
Kirimichchai(Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) KIRIMITIYAAYA Map | කිරිමිටියාව |
Kiriviharaya(Vannimava[Vavniya]) NO tamil allonym. Ancient Buddhist site. See 'Kiriviharaya' under Atambagaskada Labeled #88 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | කිරිවිහාරය |
Koandaavil(Yapanaya[Jaffna]) KAEKURUVILA 'Kaekuru' is known as, 'Chinese date', the 'Masan tree', 'llantai' or 'Nari-Illantai' in Tamil. and 'Ziziphus jujuba' in botany. See Masan Tree. | කැකුරුවිල |
Kodalikkallu, Kodalikallu (Mooladoova [Mullaitivu]) KAEBELLAGALLA, KOTHALAGALiA,, GODALIGALLA Located in the Welioya (Manal aru) area. "Kothala" is Salacia reticulate . Another possibility for the origin of the name is "kAEBELLA". This is the tree Aporosa lindleyana, see our botany webpage See entry under "Kodaliparichchan" for discussion. Map | කොතලගල්ල |
Kodaliparichchan (Mooladoova [Mullaitivu]) KOTHALIBARAHENA, kONDOLBARAHENA, KAEBEL-PITIHENA Kothala Himbatu (Salacia reticulate ) is an endemic Sri Lankan plant, which may grow wild in Chena (hena) lands. "Kondol is a small tuber (dark brown outside, (not to be confused with the Filipino name for Ash Pumpkin) which may be boiled and eaten. Another possibility for the place-name is "Kaebaella", a large tree, see our botany webpage The place names may have originated from either of these forms, and the Tamilized form is an easy modification. Kothalabarahena is located in the Welioya (Manal aru) area. Map | කොතලබරහේන |
Koddagapulam(Yapanaya[Jaffna]) KOTTEGAMPALA, GODAGAMPALA 'Kotta' here means a 'kotuva' or fortification, with 'Kotte → Goda' Thus 'Kotta-gampala' is a fortified garrison complex. | ගො ඩගම්පල |
Koddaikkadu(Yapanaya[Jaffna]) KOTTÉKADUVA 'Kotta' here means a 'kotuva' or fortification. | කෝට්ටෙකඩුව |
Koddaikallar (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) KOTUVE-GAL-ARA Meaning. In T., 'Koddai' would mean "Fort" as in "Kotte", Sinhala. There is a hindu temple with a five-headed giant cobra licking a lingam clearly indicating the absorption of a Naga shrine into subsequent Hindu worship. The Pali chronicles support the view that the eastern area centered around Mahiyangana, the western Maya rata, as well as the North were habitations of Naga tribes during the pre-Buddhist period. | කොටිව ගල්ආර ගොඩගල්ආර |
Koddiavattai (Yapanaya[Jaffna]) KOTUVAATTE, KODIYAVATTA Ancient Buddhist ruins. | කොටියවත්ත |
Koddiyar,Kottiyar(Sri Gokanna[Trincomalee]) KOTTAASARA This was regarded as part of "Koddiyar bay" in dutch-VOC maps. | කොට්ටසාර |
Kodikamam, Kodigamam (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) GODAGAMA, GODAGAMUWA Meaning. In Tamil "kamam" has no immediate meaning, but from Sanskrit 'graamam'. 'kodi' in Tamil, to boil, also flag, as in sinhala. But the 'kodi, or kodai' is most likely a tamilization of the sinhala 'goda' Frequent LTTE-Military clashes SL-army's 53rd division stationed here. see Jaffna map1 | ගොඩගම |
Koddiyawattai (Yapanaya,[Jaffna]) KOTIYAWATTE, near Hunugama(chunnakam) HIst. Ancient Dagaba, Buddha statue etc. | කොටියවත්ත |
Kokkachchaankulam (Vannimava [ Vavuniya]) KOK-ATHTHANA KULAMA, Kokaththanakulama, Kokattanakulama Kokuathtnana is a a type of Aththana (Datura) with spiky fruits (thorny), as implied by its Sinhala adjective "Koku". The Tamil place-name or word-grouping "Kokkachchan" has no clear meaning. The Tamil name for Aththana is Oomathai or Mattai" and hence does not connect with the place name. Note that Aththana is a hallucinogenic plant with many variant forms (kalu-attana, suduattana etc). (See also under Achchankulam where we discuss "achchan".). Hence the Tamil form is most likely an adaptation from the Sinhala. The Eelam wars led to much upheaval in this area which became predominantly Tamil since the late 19th century (cf. J. P. Lewis). It was formed by a mosaic of caste-based hamlets. Resettling these villages mainly with the original occupants, or their kith and kin, without suitable social engineering poses the danger of recreating the old caste enclaves, not only in this village, but in similar war-ravaged villages The possibility that the original name was "Ruk-aththana-kulam", i.e., named after Alastonia scholaris, ie., Alstonia scholaris (L.)., known as "Elilaipalai" in Tamil, cannot be excluded. History Second century Buddhist ruins and stone pillars have been recorded in this area (Archeological annual reports, 1982 and before). | කොක්අත්තන කුලම |
Kokkaddichcholai, Kokkoddichcholai, Kokkatticcolai, Kottadikolai, Kokkadichcholai (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) KUKULANGOLLA, KOTHALIGOLLA 'Kokkaddi' is not mentioned in the Tamil Lexicons. It could also have been derived from Gokatu (ceylon Gamboge, not Goraka). However, 'Kukkuta' is a well established word in the source languages. Also, in sinhala "Kothala" Himbatu (Salacia reticulate ) is an endemic Sri Lankan plant, which may grow wild in Chena (hena) lands. Only Saiva temple in the Batti district. Civil war See under Batticaloa for the caste system and differences in Hindu practice Hist. Pre-christian era stupa, stone pillars, etc. These are now completely covered up and replaced by flourishing Ishwara Kovil even in early eighties. See Archaeo. Dept. files= EC/B/27, folio 96-98 Map | ගොකටුගොල්ල, කුකුලන්ගොල්ල |
Kokkavil(Giranika [Killinochchi]) KOKKUVILA, KOKAAVILA The form "Koka" is used for heron-like birds, storks, cranes etc in Prakrit. In Sanskrit it is more often applied to the Cuckoo. "Kokku" is used in Tamil for the mango (tree), and also for cranes and similar birds. The Sinhalese origin of this type of place-names in Jaffna was first pointed out in the early part of the 20th century by Messrs. B. Horsburgh. (1916. .doc file) and J. P. Lewis, both of the Colonial CCS. The late S. Gnana Prakasar, the philologist of international fame, agreed with them and furnished his own list of place-names of Sinhala origin found in the North and East. He mentioned village ending in "vil" like Kandavil, Kokkuvil, Inuvil, etc.; those ending in "vattei", like Polvattei, ittavattei, etc.; villages from the word "kumbura" like Markkamburei, etc., from "yaya" like Moolay etc., from "deniya" like Narandanei, etc., from "eliya" like Puloly, as examples. As part of the post-war development, a radio and internet transmission column (highest in South Asia up to 2011) has been constructed in Kokaavila and opend in June 2011. Silumina report | කොකාවිල කොක්කුවිල |
Kokkuthuduwai, Kokkuttuduvai (Mooladoova[Mullaitivu]) KOKKUTHUDUVA The form "Koka" is used for heron-like birds, storks, cranes etc in Prakrit. In Sanskrit it is more often applied to the Cuckoo. "Kokku" is used in Tamil for the mango (tree), and also for cranes and similar birds. Map | කොක්කුතුඩාව |
Koddiyar,cotiaar (SriGonakanda [Trincomalee]) KOTIARA, KOOTIARA Hist. de Queyroz, Kodiara, Dutch fort,1865 n.b. There seems to be evidence for a "Kooti-aram-pattuwa" n.b. Ven. Ellawala Medhananda suggests "Kettasara". | කොටිආර |
Kokkilai Kokilai(Mooladoova [Mullaitivu]) KOKILAVA, KUKULAAVA Ancient Buddhist ruins, Listed in 1982 by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri Several sites by this place names. Labeled #69, #70 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | කුකුලාව |
Kokkuthudai(Yapanaya[Jaffna]) KOKKUTHUDAVA | කොක්කුතුඩාව |
Kokkuthuoduvai (Mooladoova [Mullaitivu]) KOKUTHUDUVA Map | කොක්කුතුඩුව |
Kokuvil (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) KOKUWILA Meaning. In Tamil "vil" means "Bow" and has no immediate meaning here. A well respected Principal of Kukuvil Hindu College was assassinated, c.f., also Principal, Jaffna Hindu College. See Speech by Ahilan Kadirgamar | කොකුවිල |
Kokuvil (Ampare) KOKUVILA | කොකුවිල |
Kokumarankuli, Kukumarankuli, Kokumaradinthaddi (Mooladoova[Mulaitivu]) AMBAGASKULIYA, ambagaskolla Disc.- 'Kokku' in Telingu and hence sometimes in tamil means mango, or Mangifera Indica, and agrees with the Sinhala name The word `Kuli' was used in old sinhala for hamlet or village. 288 the verse (9th century), Sigiri Mirror-wall – “I am Gunakara (of) Ambagam-kuli (of the) Northern Province. The `Norther province, or Vaeligama mentioned in the Sigiri griffiti probably referred to some place in the Jaffna peninsula (Jaapanaya). Ancient Buddhist site, listed by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri, 1982 Labeled #50 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | අඹගස්කුලිය අඹගස් කුලිය |
Kollamarutamadu(Mannarama[Mannar]) KALUBURUTHAMADUVA See under "Maruthamadu" for a discussion. See Map | කලුබුරුතමඩුව |
Kollankalladdy(Japane [Jaffna]) KALUVAN-GALADIYA, KALUGALADIYA This is a small village near Thelipala (Thellipalai) A group of ex- LTTE cadre have been resettled here after the Eelam wars. | කලු ගල් අඩිය කලුවන් ගල් අඩිය |
Komari, Komarai (Ampare) KOMARIYA Local legend claim that the name arose from the sinhala "Ko kumari ?"! This Sinhala name presently in use. | කෝමාරිය |
Kombanachchi(Sri Gonakanda [Trincomalee]) KUMBANAEDDA, Kohombaganthota; the 'D in 'Naedda' is soft'. Ancient Buddhist site; in the list by Archaeo. Dept., Somasiri, 1982 Hist.- 'Kumbagamathota' was used during Dutugamunu's time. 'Kohombagamathota' is mentioned during Parakramabahu's time. c.f., p. 285 of Ellavala Medhananada (2003) These refer to locations on the Mahavaeli river and may be close to the present river which has changed course in historical times. Thus 'Kumbanadda' will refere to this modern area. The Buddhist sites consist of two groups. The first part is referred to as 'Kumbanaedda' proper; there is a rocky hill with ruins scattered in the entire area, a large large rock cave, having at least six meditation chambers. Recent reconstruction and temple activity exists. The "Kumba Chaitya",m ~400m tall, is found on top of the hill, excavated by treasure hunters. There are two stone stairs, a stone wall and other artifacts. Nearby there is the 'Kumbavilluva', with a ~100 meter Stupa, stone pillars shrine room etc. This Stupa is said to be the "SOMAAVATHIE" chaitya. The area is locally known as "Samurrordu", probably related to "Somanuvara". | කොහොඹනැද්ද කොහොඹගංතොට |
Kondavil (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) KANDAVILA Meaning. In Tamil "vil" means "Bow" and has no immediate meaning. 'Konda←kanda', means 'hill'. See the disc. under Vilpattu. | කන්දවිල |
Koomankulam (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) KUMANAVEVA | කුමනවැව |
Kondachchi (Mannarama) KANDUVACHCHIYA C.f., 'maedavachchiya'. The word vachchiya ← Vaeikkiya means a subsection of a 'pattuva' or small village unit. Colonial era ruins | කඳුවච්චිය |
Kongarayankulam, Konthakarankulma (vannimava[Vavniya]) KEVULVAEVA Labeled #34 in Vanni Buddhist sites map Ancient Buddhist site, listed by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri, 1982 In south India, 'Kontakkaran' or 'Kongakarayan' is a sub-caste of fishermen. (There is a 'Konthaipiddi' in the Mannaram area, near 'Uppakulam', where MUslim-Tamil disputes continue due to LTTE ethinc-cleansing of Muslims in 1990). Map | කෙවුල්වැව |
Kopay, Kopai, Koppay, கோப்பாய் (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) DOPE`, BOPÉ, BODHIPAAYA, Bodhipaya Meaning: The ending "pai",or "pay" is a typical sinhala toponym. For example, such place-name endings are not found in Tamil Nadu. 'Pe(h)',පේ, typically indicates a village while "paaya" could refer to a "mansion" or "Prasaada", as in "Lovaa-maha-paaya". Thus 'Bope', or 'Bopaaya' may have arisen from 'BodhiPaaya. The form 'Dope' already exists as a place name. The Tamil 'Kovan'→Govan refers to a herdsman, and Gopae→Dope is a possibility. The Malayalam 'Kon' and the 'Ko' in T. suffix may refer to a 'kingly' status (cf. Tamil Kovilanku=lion). Hence Kopay may indicate a royal residence, or a royal hamlet, if the sinhala/Sanskrit 'paaya' meaning can be added to the tamil suffix 'Ko'. However, if such a lexicographic stretch is not used, "Pay" in Tamil would mean 'net' ; or 'sail', 'stretch' etc. see section on place names in tambimuttu Also See Dutch map, Kopay, Copaij, Copaay Terrorism First cyanide suicide at bank robbery, Kopay, Sivakumaran June 5 1974 Also, Malathi, the first woman terroist sacrificed herself against the IKPF on 10-Oct-1987 in Kopay. Peter Shalk, LTTE writer on Malathi, "First woman martyr LTTE 'heros' resting place-cemetery. Tigers built many war memorials and grave yards similar to christian grave yards, recognizing their propaganda value. This is indeed contrary to Hindu cultural practices where dead bodies are burnt (cremated), and grave yards are shunned except by the very "lowest castes". However, many of the suicde cadre were Catholics, and the Tamil population had been chritianized to a larger extent than the Sinhalese in the south. The Maavira Thuyilim Illam or "Martyrs' sleeping house was in the city's Northeastern limits. Around 2000 epitaphs had been placed, but it has been alleged that many of the graves were empty. The Sri Lankan army removed the cemeter y leaving behind only a commemorative plaque, following the practice of the Allied army in WW-II in dealing with Nazi cemeteries. Tiger supporters have retaliated by destroying the commemorative plaque in anger. see Tiger militants MAP | දෝපේ බෝදි පාය |
Koraimoddai (Mooladoova [Mullaitivu]) KOORAMADE, KOORAMOTTE '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.In some place names "Maetta" has become "Moddai". Koora in sinhala refers to a dragon fly, or to stalks and spikes (a similar meaning exists in Tamil and other Dravidian languages). Korai in Tamil , "kalanduru" in Sinhala, is indeed a kind of grass with fragrant root nodules (Cyperus rotundus tuberous), but similar words also mean "stalk", spike, 'millet", 'currycomb",etc. | කුරමඩේ කුරමොටේ |
Koralaipattu (Madakalapuva [Batticaloa]) KORALAPATTUVA , KORALAPATTUWA ``Korala '' refers to the striated stoney ground found in some ares in this district. This location is on the border between the Batticaloa-Trincomalee districts. The people in these area are a mixture of Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims. They have extensive sea-faring experience. Boat built for tsunami victims used to smuggle asylum-seekers | කොරලපත්තුව |
Koththiyaavaththai, Kottiyāvattai கொத்திய ாவத்தை (yapanaya [ Jaffna]) KOCHCHIYAVATTA, KOCHCHIYAWATTA The name 'Kochchiya', 'Kocci', கொச் refers to people from the Cochin state (india), and borrowed from malayālam in to Sinhala and Tamil. Vaththai is not found in Tamil lexicons, and is most likely borrowed from the Sinhala 'vatta', or 'watta', which means a "demarcated area', usually to define the extent of a garden or to establish ownership. The place name "vaththai" occurs mainly in the Jaffna peninsula, where Sinhala influence has been long entrenched since the 3rd century BCE. Note also our comments on "pattana", "pattai", "patuna" etc., under the etymology of "Japanaya", or "Yalpanam". The meaning "Koththi" → "mother goddess", speculatively linked with "vaththai" is unlikely to apply here, and not collaborated in such a usage in Tamil Nadu either. Note that in the southern part of Sri Lanka, the "v" sound is most commonly transliterated into European alphabets using "w", while in Jaffna the letter "v" is used. This difference arose because the Sinhala names were transliterated already during the dutch era, and in Dutch the 'v" is sounded as an 'f'. The Tamil names got transliterated during the British era. | කොච්චියවත්ත |
Kottadikolai, (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) KUKULANGOLLA, KOTHALIGOLLA This is an alternative english spelling for 'Kokkaddichcholai'; See entry under Kokkaddichcholai | කොතලිගොල්ල |
Kottalamadu(SriGonakanna[Trincomalee]) KOTUGALMADUVA Disc. - KOTUGAL refers to stone ramparts of a fortification. This place is close to Kadiravaella(Kadiraveli) near Trinco. LTTE garrison; no map. | කොටුගල්මඩුව |
Kottantivu (Puttalam) KOTTANDOOVA The Meaning: 'Kottan' in T. may mean 'owl'. "tive" is tamilized toponym from "diva" or "doova" in Sinhala 'Kottan' in Sinhala probably refers to 'Terminalia Catappa'. | කොට්ටන්දූව |
Kottanchole (Sri Gonakanda[Trincomalee]) KOTTANKOLLA Listed in 1982 by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri 'Kottan' in Sihala probably refers to 'Terminalia Cattappa'. | කොට් ටන්ගොල්ල |
Kottukachchi (Puttalam) KOTUKACHCHIYA | කොටුකච්චිය |
Kovilkulam (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) KOVILVAEVA | කෝවිල්වැව |
Kovilpuliyankulam(Vannimava[Vavniya]) KOOTARAJAVAEVA, KUSTARAJAVAEVA. Disc.-Here `Kovilpuliyan' does not refer to a Tiger associated with a 'Kovil', as a literal view might lead one to believe. The original 'Kuhstaraja→Kootaraja' was perhaps incorrectly understood to mean a 'kotiraja' or 'king-tiger. The prefix Kovil is indeed used in T. to imply a higher status to an animal, an object or a location, e.g., கோவிலங்குž ([ kovilangku ] ko-vilanku, i.e., Lion, as king of beasts See e.g., p 1199 of the Madras tamil Lexicon. Ancient Buddhist site, listed by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri, 1982 Labeled #47 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | කුෂ්ටරාජවැව |
Koyitkulam, Koyithakulam (Mannarama) KOLITHAVAEVA | කෝලිතවැව |
Kuchchaveli, Kuccaveli (Sirigonakanda [Trincomalee]) KESBAVAELLA, Kuseval, Tuchchabe~li Historical Palvakki, 5km North is PALLAWAVANKA Parakramabahu I ships set sail to Burma from Pallawavanka Several ancient Buddhist sites in this area. Labeled #135, 138 and 141 in Vanni Buddhist sites map 2nd century Buddha statue, two Buddha heads, 4th century Roman coins 6th century stone inscription. The inscription is the oldest Sanskrit inscription in Sri Lanka. Wijesekera (p 57) says "A headless limestone Buddha standing 6 ft was discovered at Kuchchaveli superbly modeled in Amaravati style probably of 2nd century A.D. The unique feature is the presence of two rosettes below the robe between the ankles". Vandals have attempted to destroy the site Report of the Archaeological Commissioner, 1955; Archaeology Dept. file ED/B/E/41; Epigrahica Zeylanica, Vol.3, p158 Map | කැස්බවැල්ල කුස්වෙල තුච්ඡවේලී |
Kudarappu (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) KUDIRAPPUWA, KUDIRAPURA | කුදිරප්පුව කුඩාතැන්ර |
Kudatanai (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) KUDAATAENNA 'Thaenna' is a common sinhala ending for 'place', location (thaena). Compare, prakrit/Sanskrit 'Sthaanam'. In established Tamil the usage is '(s)thaanam', and the form 'thanai' is probably a sign of adaptation from the Sinhala 'thaena'. | කුඩාතැන්න |
Kudamian(Yapanaya[Jaffna]) KUDAMEEYA see Jaffna map1 | කුඩමීය |
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Kudiramalai, Kudirimalai Kudramalai Point, Kadiramalai (Puttalama) KIHIRAKANDA. KUDIRAKANDA, Kudiramale A Legend has it that Kihirikanda (Kudiramalai), a point on the shore was the landing place of Vijaya, while Kuveni lived in 'Kālivila (Kali Villu)', in the Wilpattu. Pointedly, Kāli" is a female demonic (Yakkha) representation of Durga. The Manimkalai and Mahavamsa accounts suggest that this location may have been a principal Naga town. Kihirikanda or Kudirakanda was visited by Roman sailors during the time of Claudius (417 AD), and Pliny talks of a large settlement called "Hippuros" here. But why would Pliny translate a name instead of using the local name? After all, Ptolemy's maps did not translate names. However, assuming such a translation, the word "hippuros" evokes horses, and connects with the word "Kudira" which is a Dravidian root-word for "horse". Thus there may have been a name like Thuranga-malé which was directly rendered in to Malayalam during the Magha invasions, giving the form Kuthirimalai, as it exists today. That the Magha invaders simply translated place names into Dravidian equivalents is seen from the rendering of Meepathota into Illupiakadavai by the Magha. Another possibility is that the word 'Kadira', from Sanskrit, probably refers to Mimosa Catechu of the 'accacia' family, and is the 'Kihiri' tree in Sinhala; and 'Karuveal' in Tamil. This is consistent with the vegetation of the area. See discussion on Kalpitiya region | කිහිරිකන්ද කුදිර කන්ද |
Kudumpimalai, Toppikal, Thoppikkal (Madakalapuva[Batticaloa]) THOPPIGALA, KUDAA-DIMBULGALA, KUDUMBIKANDA, CHOODAKANDA Toppigala was known as "Barron's cap". It is 36km NW of Batticaola. Disc.- The word 'Thoppi' is ascribed to the Portuguese 'chapeo', a type of hat, by A. M. Gunasekera, Comprehensive Grammar (1891). Ven. E. Medhananda posits that the ancient name is 'Kudaa-dimbulagala. 'Dimbulagala is a rocky ridge south of Pollonnaruva, with many ancient sites. The name 'Kudumbikanda', or 'Choodakanda' are also possibilities. The name 'Choodakanda'→ hill with a summit, has the Sanskrit word 'cuda', which means 'summit, crown' or 'on top', e.g., as used in 'chudamanikya', a jewel worn on the head. The Pali 'Kuta', Latin 'Collis', the sinhala words for the summit of a hill, e.g., 'thuda', 'kula' and the Sanskrit 'Chuda' are related words. Chuda also refers to the single tuft of hair left on the crown of the head, after tonsure (cf. Monier-Williams Skrt. dictionary). Thus the saivite custom of wearing a tuft or knot of hair on the head, 'Kutumi' in Tamil, 'Kutuma' in Malayalam is also derived from the Sanskrit root 'Chuda'. Thus 'Kutumi'→'Kudumpi' is often interpreted as referring to the knot of hair worn by 'Iyaar Tamils', and the Tamil place name 'kudumpimalai' is ascribed to the knot-like shape of the hill. In reality, all these forms are derived from the Sanskrit/Pali root. However, instead of using the direct form 'Kutumimalai', 'Kudumpimalai' has been used in local Tamil, suggesting a sinhala origin to the word. The proper, accepted rendering of Spizachus cirrhatus, thecrested Falcon specific to Sri Lanka in Tamil is 'kudumipparuntu' (and not, say, kudumpipparantu), suggesting that 'Kudumpi' is from 'Kudumbi'. The word 'kudumbiya' exits in sinhala, and the piece of wood shaped to jut out in a dove-tail joint is called a 'kudumbiya'. That this is a word naturalized in old Sinhala, since pre-christian times is seen from the Mahavamsa (ch. 23), where a village named 'Kutumbiyagana' is mentioned, with respect to the Dutugamunu period. Thus the word 'Kudumbi' is a common heritage of both Sinhala and Tamil, via Pali and Sanskrit. See also the webpage entry under Okanda (Okantai) where there is a 'Kudumbigala' Buddhist shrine. There are ancient Buddhist ruins and many caves, rock temples etc. in the Thoppigala area. Another sinhala reference to 'kudumbiya' is found in 'Monarai-Kudumbiya'(Vernonia cinerea (L), a small plant that has small purple coloured flowers resembling the head ornament of the the peacock. This plant is used as a food prepared like a white curry. This area was used by the LTTE and Karuna rebel bases. Col. Karuna broke off from the LTTE and helped the Government forces to defeat the LTTE in the East. The final capture of the Eastern province by the army is commemorated in the Sri Lankan Rs.1000 note, with Thoppigala in the background. For Eelam-IV war and military actions etc., see Lanka Library report in THE HINDU The view of a Tamil nationalist. Sunday Times, 8-july-07 report with sketch map Satellite Map of Thoppigala, reduce resolution if needed. video of the UNP-allied Protest march demeaning the Thoppigala Victory in July 2007 | තොප්පිගල කුඩාදිඹුලගල |
Kuduvil, (Ampara[Amparai]) KUDDAVILA This is an old village in the Ruhuna kingdom. Other placesnames like Kuddālamandala.-A village in Rohana is mentione din the Pali chronicles. Here a battle took place between the forces of Parakkamabāhu I. and his enemies (Cv.lxxv.16). Kuddarajja.-Probably a district in Rohana. Paranavithan found a Brahmi inscription here with the word "Dameda", refering to a 'Dameda Tisaya lena'. This is sometimes tanslated as ' Tamil Tisa cave, where it it can equally well be 'Southern Disav cave'. | කුද්දවිල |
Kulamurippu, கூழாமுறிப்பு (Mooladoova[MUllaitivu]) BAHUVARAKANDIYA, BAHUVARAMURAYA 'Bahuvara' is a cherry-like tree, Cordia oblique. see the etymology of murippu Botany | බහුවරකන්ඩිය |
Kulavisuddan (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) KURAVISATANNA Meaning: 'Kura-visa' may imply 'snakes' | කුරවිසතැන්න |
Kumakulam(Mannnarama[Mannar]) KUMARAVAEVA There is also a well-known Kumanavila ( Kumanavillu) in Yala. Map | කුමාරවැව |
Kumalamunai (east & West) (Mooladoova [Mullaitivu]) KUMBAL-AMUNA Part of the Weli-oya development area | කුඹල්අමුණ |
Kumankulam(Vannimava[Vavniya]) KUMANVAEVA See LTTE activity | කුමනවැව |
Kumaresan Kadavai (SrGonakanda[Trincomalee]) GOMARANKADAVALA; Also called katukulampattu see entry under Gomarankadawala | ගෝමරන්කඩවල |
Kumbhakanmalei,Kumbhakaranamalei (Mooladoova[Mullaitivu]) KUMBAKANMALÉ KUmbakan-kanda Ancient Buddhist ruins, Listed in 1982 by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri This is about 12 km NE of the WeliOya army camp, and the site is on a hill capped with a huge rock cliff. A Stupa had existed on it. There is a cave in the rock below the stupa site, stone steps, signs of buildings supported on stone pillars etc exist. The army camp near here, known as Kiriibban vaeva (කිරිඉබිබන ් වැව) is curating several archaeo-objects, e.g, clay pots, elephant figurines, pinnacle of a Stupa, and other artifacts. The name 'Kumbhakarna' refers to a legendary giant, who allegedly slept in the rock cave here. Aehaetugasvaeva Sambodhi Vihara, Viyayarama Vihara and Dharmawardanaramaya are historical sites which are close to this site. Labeled #46 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | කුම්බකන්මලේ කුම්බකන්කන්ද |
Kumburupiddy, Kumpurupiddy (Sirigonakanda [Trincomalee]) KAMBURUPITIYA, KUMBURUPITIYA 'Kumbura' is a field, in sinhala. 'Pitiya' would be a flat area. According to K. Vellupillai (Yalpanam Vaipava Kavmudi), Gnanaprakasar and others, Kumubura, and Piddy are borrowed to Tamil from Sinhala. LTTE sea tiger base | කඹුරුපිටිය |
Kumulamunai, குமிழமுனை (Yapanaya[Jaffna]) BATUMUNNA ⚓name Now in the Admin district of Killinochchci. Coastal point, 'munna' in S. names like 'Atuk-kumulli', 'kumula' are used in Tamil for Prickly nightshade, Holy Basil, Solanum species, and beachberry varieties (e.g, Gmelina asiatica). Thus 'Kumula' could be a loose alternative for the Sinhala word 'batu' loosely used for Solonum species. Regional map | බටුමුන්න |
Kunchakulam (Giranikke [Killinochchi]) KUNCHAVAEVA c.f., sound of elephants. Regional map | කුන්ච වැව |
Kunjithapathamalai (Sri Gonakanna[Trincomalee]) BOPATHKANDA Kunjara is a name associated with elephants, and with the Pipal tree. Ancient Buddhist ruins. | බෝපත්කන්ද |
Kuppilan (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) KOKILANA In Tamil, kupilan could mean king; 'kupinan could be a fisherman. Tamil 'kukkil' or cow-pheasant, 'kuyil'; Sinhala Kokila for 'cuckoo', Eudynamis honorata. see Jaffna map1 | කොකිලාන |
Kuragalai, Kurakkallai (Sabaragamuwa) GURAGALA, KURAGALA This is a hill-shrine with 2-nd century Brahmi-script Elu-Sinhala (prakrit) lithic inscriptions. . These were discussed by Charles Collins, the British Civil Servant and GA for Ratnapura in the late 1920-early 30s. The Collins article is, "The Archaeology of Sabaragamuwa, Bintenna" (Journal R.A.S (Ceylon) Vol. XXXII, No 85 of 1932). The archeological interest is confined to two sets of highset rocky cliffs, with a deep cleft between them. In the first set (--)there are several caves and two inscriptions, ... (they) latter are found on a high rock known as Hituwangala. They are typical of thousands of such records of acts of charity to the Sangha found all over the country. However, in more recent times, ridiculous claims that these are old Arabic inscriptions have been made to justify the attempt to convert the location to an Islamic shrine. No aArabic rock inscriptions have been found. As evidence of Qutub Muhiyuddin's links with Kuragala is a tombstone (not a rock) discovered in 1922 when excavating to build a mosque about ten feet below ground, with the words "Disciple of Mohyiuddin" dated 1322 AD. No additional evidence (e.g., from Muslim traveller Iban Batuta, 14th century) in support of this has been found. Hence there is much controversy and anguish about the Muslim claims of antiquity to the Kuragala Dafther Jailany Mosque. These have been aggravated by what are claimed to be an encroachment into traditional Buddhist archeological areas, and a `take-over' of a Buddhist shrine. Some Muslim writers have attempted to deny the Buddhist claims by stating that the Buddhist claim dates only to 1961!. In our view, the Muslims have a tradition of regarding the location as holy to them since the early part of the 20th century, but not much more. Hence some provision for their worship should be provided, while fully guarding the historical heritage going back to pre-Christian times, recorded in stone by the ancients. The place-name most likely came from "Guragala, where "Gura" (ගුර, ගුරා), or "Guru" refers to any type of hermit or holy person who also practices healing or engage in village rites and rituals. In Tamil we have the word 'Kurural' corresponding to the Sinhala "Gururaala". The word "Guru" is of Parkrit origin and came into old Tamil probably during the early 'sangam' period. It has also been incorrectly claimed that the "kura" in kuragala comes from the Dravidian 'Kuravar" caste, and KuraGala is the hill of Kuravar. This is very unlikely, since "low-caste" nomadic groups were never allowed to occupy high-lying lands. Those tribes who settled (in the outskirts of towns - (p)ur - added the ur-prefix and) were known as urk-kuravar ஊர்க்குற வர
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Kurrakkan-Kaddukulam (Gokanna [Trincomalee]) Kurakkankaelaevaeva, Kurakkan katukulama The sinhala 'Kurakkan' (millet) is also used in Tamil, குரக்கன் This differs from typical Dravidian-language usage (Indian tamil- Iraaki, 'Raagi' in Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu), suggesting borrowing from Sinhala. See also the entry under "Pantrichurichchan" for other details. There has been an army base and and sometimes also LTTE camps. The village is buried in the deep jungles of Kaddukulam Pattu when the British colonial Civil servants serving at Trincomalee as Government Agents (later Asst.Govt.Agents) first discovered other villages like Morawewa, Ethawetunawewa, Pettawa, Kivulekada, Relapanawa, Medawacchichiya, and others, populated by Sinhala speaking residents. See also Kaddukulam | කුරක්කන්කටුවන |
KuriKadduvan (Urathota[Kaytes]) KIRALAKATUVANA Disc. Kurikirraali, குரிகிற்றாளி, is a kind of root; MTL p1013. Kirala in Sinhala is a type of mangrove (Sonneratia caseolaris) with edible fruit, as well as a common water bird, the "red-wattled lapwing". See write ups under 'Iralaikulam, 'Kadduvan'. There is also a boat service to Mannarama (Mannar) from here. | කිරලකටුවන |
Kurankupanchan, Kurungupanchan (Gokanna[Trincomalee]) VAN ELLA This was an LTTE camp established after the CFA, and was also known as the "Manirasakulam" camp. visit to Manirasakulam-Kuranpanchan camp See News report See LTTE camps around Trinco harbour, 2003 This and 12 other camps were destroyed under the MR government in 2006 It has been suggested that 'Kuranpanchan' means 'monkey-jumping point' However, 'Panchan' ← Sanskrit 'Pakkana' (→ malayalam etc.). Thus it refers to a village or habitation of outcaste people. Kuruanku (← Skrt. Kurane) means monkey as well as other beasts. This is a caste-designated village where people feed on monkeys etc. Such 'Kuankukatti' villages existed in Coimbatore, South India. | වන්ඇල්ල |
Kurinchakemy (Sirigonakanda [Trincomalee]) KURINCHAGAMA "Kurinicha" may to the vine "Kuringgan" (S), (bot. Gymnema lactiferum ). | කුරින්ච ගම |
Kurinjanpitai (Puttalam) KURINCHAAPITYA "Kurinicha" may to the vine "Kuringgan" (S), (bot. Gymnema lactiferum ). | කුරින්ච පිටිය |
Kurudeepam (Giranikke, [kilinochchi]) GURUDEEPA | ගුරුදීපෙ |
Kurukkalkulam, Kurukalkulam (Giranikke,[kilinochchi]) GURUGALVAEVA Meaning. 'kurukkal' could also refer to a hindu-temple priest. In S., 'gurugal' refers to the colour of the clay Map | ගුරුගල්වැව |
Kurugalputhukulam (Mannarama [Mannar]) ALUTH-GURUGALVEVA Map | අලුත්ගුරුගල්වැව |
Kurukkalmadam, Mannunai(Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) GURUGALMADMA Meaning. 'kurukkal' could also refer to a Hindu-temple priest. Hist. Temple, flat figure resembling post-Gupta 600 A.D. work See Wijesekera, Early Sinh. Sculpture. p 218 Syncretism between Mahayana Buddhist and Tara worship seen here, with a well known image of Tara, and a Stone Bodhisattva (Padmapani) holding lotus flowers, at the Gurugal-madama Temple. map | ගුරුගල්මඩම |
Kurummankadu (Vanimava[Vavniya]) KURUMANKADUWA 2 km west of vavniya | කුරුමන් කඩුව |
Kurumbasiddy (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) KURUMBAPITIYA Meaning: The sinhala 'Piti'→ 'Sitti' or Siddy' in T. The name exists in Paranakurukorale as well Map | කුරුම්බපිටිය |
Kurundankulama (Vavnimava (Vavniya]) kurunthankulam (Mannarama [mannar]) Kurundankulama (Anuradhapura) Both Vavnia and Anuradhapura are Ancient Buddhist sites, listed by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri, 1982 KURUNDANVAEVA, KURUNDUVAEVA This is close to "Tannimarippukulam" or diyamalan vaeva. The very important Buddhist sites are very difficult to access, on a hill known as Piankallu (Piyangala). There are remnants of Stupas,Shrine rooms, vatadaage ponds, wells, as well as stone stairs, from a pre-christian era. Place name with the "kurundunda" stem occurs in Attakatha, Kadaimpoth, Pujavaliya, Nikayasangrahaya etc. The modern "Padaviya" is referred to as "Padee rata". See p 379 of Ven. E. Medhananda(Pachina Passa-Uttara passa, 2003). The name may imply that Cinnamon was brought and planted here, during the time of the arrival of Mahinda from India Labeled #37 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | කුරුන්දවැව |
Kurundanmalai (Mooladoova [Mulaitivu]) KURANDAKANDA, KURUNDUKANDA Ancient Buddhist site, listed by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri, 1982 Hist. 2 century B.C. Buddhist site identified as 'Kuruandapaasana vihara' built by King Kallata-naga The Buddhist text "Kuruandi Atta katha', a Sinhala 'atuva' was written here It was gazetted (no: 7981) a prime Archaeological zone in 1933 Destruction In 1981 terrorists destroyed the site and built a Hindu temple. The ground has been covered with concrete and a trident has been fixed. The 'Pada lanchana' stones are used for lighting camphor at this new Murugan Kovil Archaeology Dept. file EC/B/N/7 folio 5,10 | කරුන්දකන්ද |
Kurundanur (Mooladoova[Mullaitivu]) KURUNDUPURA Labeled #38 in Vanni Buddhist sites map Ancient Buddhist ruins, Listed in 1982 by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri Please see under Kurundanmalai, and Kurundankulama place names just above. | කුරුන්දපුර |
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