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| Maaviddapuram, mavitapuram (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) MAHAVITAPURA See also under /"Mavittapuram" Meaning: 'Mahavita' would mean a 'demarcated area. | මහවිටපුර |
Madamarachchi(Vannimav[Vavniya]) MAEDA-MURAEKIYA Ancient Buddhist ruins, Listed in 1982 by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri Labeled #73 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | මැදමුරැකිය |
| Madampei (Puttalama) MADAMPE This is an example of "Pe", i.e., a village, ending applied to a plant species known as Maadan, Syzygium cumini, berry bearing shrub or tree. The tannivella (i.e., prince Thanya Vallabha, the second son of Veera-parakramabahu VIII of Kotte) Devale, with a white horse is well known and has its festival in August. The annual Nanumura Mangallaya of the Tanivelle Devalaya | මාදම්පේ |
| Madduvil (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) MADUVILA Meaning. In Tamil "vil" means "Bow" and has no immediate meaning. 'Madduvil' in T. could mean 'Udder'; The S. name is a typical placename. see Jaffna map1 | මඩුවිල |
| Madhu Church (Mannarama [Mannar]) MADHU PALLIYA This site had a "Pattini temple" till the 19th century. The Catholic shrine to St. Mary was established in 1876. The "Manual of the North Central Province", by R. W. Levers, 1889, establishes that there was indeed a Pattini Devala there. A short History of the Madhu Church, written by the Bishop of Jaffna and given to E. B. Denham (author of the 1911 Census report) also establishes that the church was founded in 1876 (p. 77), but not completely built even in 1891 (J. P. Lewis, A Manual of the Vanni Districts p.51). The statue of St. Mary is the hallowed figure of the Catholic shrine. It is believed to be from Mantai (see Mannar), where it had been since the mid 16th CE., and brought during Dutch presecution to the more tolerant region controlled by the King of Kandy in the 17th CE. "Maruthamadhu" near by (Madhu camp) was a Customs House of the Sinhala Kings.This was called the "maedige" ('middleway-house') and the name 'Madhu' may have even arisen from this. Other possibilities exist. Thus the word "madhu" could have come from "Marutha madu", where we note that the Sanskrit. "madhu" means mother, or 'Amman'(Tamil). "Kannaki Amman", or 'Paththni' of non-Saivite worship has been associated with the heroine of the Tamil epic, "Sillappadikaram", (written by the the ascetic brother of the Cēra king Ceṅkuṭṭuvaṉ, and author of the Cilappati- kāram) . "Manikekhalai", the daughter of Kannaki became a Buddhist nun, and the worship of Pattini is also a part of Sinhala-Buddhist custom since Gajabahu I (114-136 CE). The Sri Lankan version of the "Silappathikaram" is called the 'Kannaki Valakurai Kavyam'. See entries under Kannakipuram, Kannankuda, Gomarankadawala, Chankanai. Also, G. Obesekera, The Cult of the Goddess Pattini, 1984 (Chicago U. Press) See Controversy reg. the Madhu Church. A Catholic perspective: The LTTE, the Army and the Church Hostilities in 2008 April led to the removal of the Venerated Statue of Madhu by the LTTE into the region under their control. Report in the Asia Tribune Comments by Rev. Emilianus Pillai, care taker of Madhu map of Marutha Madu area A fully liberated Madhu church celebrated a festival open to all pilgrims on the 15th of August 2009, with the Archibishop Malcolm Ranjith officiating. | මදුපල්ලිය |
Mahakachchathkodiaya(Vannimava[Vavniya]) TITHTHAVAELKADA (Viharaya), Mahakassakodiya NOT a tamilized form. However, it may have been 'Mahaakasyapa kodiya'? Ancient Buddhist site. There is a large tank, as well as meditation caves,and inscriptions dating to pre-christian times. H. C. P. Bell has transcribed some of the inscriptions. One of the caves is a shrine with at least 2 Buddha statues, seven Sri Pa stones Beyond the shrine there are remnants of a square building, with 9 stone pillars still remaining. There is also a stupa, and Sri pada stones which are unusually thick. Labeled #89 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | මහකස්සකොඩිය |
Madukanda(Vannimava[Vavniya]) MADUKANDA (Viihare) Ancient Buddhsit site, reputed to have hosted the Dalada relic. Some archaeo-objects are in the temple site, while others are on the 'Madukanda" hill. The "Ruvan maedura" at the temple site has old stone pillars, and several chambers. The old entrance is well preserved, with a stairway and "Korawak" stones, and a Naaga guard stone. It also shows a dancer with four hands, and are valuable objects which need great care The Madukanda(hill) itself has ancient meditation caves, Sri Pada stones and other archaeo-objects. See also, Madukanda Balumgala , and the book by Ven Kadurugoda Pangnasara on "Madukanda Dalada Viharaya" Labeled #100 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | මදු කන්ද |
Madukanda Balumgala (Vannimava[Vavniya]) Ancient Buddhsit site, reputed to have hosted the Dalada relic. See the book by Ven Kadurugoda Pangnasara on "Madukanda Dalada Viharaya" Labeled #92 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | මදුකන්ද බැලුම්ගල |
| Madurankuli, Mathurankuli (Puttalama) Meeran kuliya, MADURANKULIYA 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 name may also have originated after a Pandiyan king, as in 'Madurantagam' near Chennai. | මදුරන් කුලිය |
| Madurankernikulam(Madakalapuva [Batticaloa]) MEERANKAENNA Vaeva The name may also have originated after a Pandiyan king, as in 'Madurantagam' near Chennai. | මීරන්කැන්න වැව |
Mahamylankulam, Mahamallankulam (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) MAHAMELAVAEVA Ancient Buddhist site; in the list by Archaeo. Dep. Mr. Somasiri, 1982 Labeled #126 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | මහමේලවැව |
Maduvankulam, Maduwankulam, Matavankulam(Mooladoova[Mullaitivu]) UPULUVAN VAEVA Ancient Buddhist site, listed by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri, 1982. Disc.- 'Matavan' is used in Tamil, from the Sanskr. Maadhva for Vishnu, and by implication in the Sri Lankan context, for Upulvan, a Buddhist deity often equated to Vishnu. Note 'Upulvan' → 'Upuluvan' in the usage of the place name. Labeled #40 in Vanni Buddhist sites map Ancient Buddhist site with the same name near Gokanna[Trincomalee] Labeled #136 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | උපුල්වන් වැව |
| Mahanagapuram (Ampare) MAHANAGAPURA | මහනාගපුර |
| Mahaoya (Ampare) MAHAOYA | මහඔය |
| Maharambaikulam, Maharamaikulam (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) MAHARAMBAVAEVA | මහරඹවැව |
| Maharugiramai (Sirigonakanda [Trincomalee]) MAHARAGIRAMA | මහර ගිරාම |
Mahamailankulam(Yannimav[Vavniya]) MAHAMELAVAEVA Labeled #44 in Vanni Buddhist sites map Ancient Buddhist site, listed by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri, 1982 However, the location given in Archaeo. map is different from this. Map | මහමේලවැව |
Mahathalithagama, Mahatalitagama (Mooladoova[Mullaitivu]) NO Tamil allonym is available. Ancient Buddhist site. Mentioned in the Poojavaliya, Mahavamsa (Lxxxiii, vv15-18) Labeled #64 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | මහතලිතගම |
Mahaukulan kulama (vannimava[vavniya]) MAHAMUGALAN VAEVA Ancient Buddhist site; in the list by Archaeo. Dep. Mr. Somasiri, 1982 Labeled #122 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | මහමුගලන්වැව |
| Mahilankulam, Makilankulam (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) MAHILAVAEWA, VAKULAVAEVA See discussion under 'Mahilavettuvaan' The same toponym exists in the Mannaaram area. | මහිලවැව |
| Mahiappitti, Mahiyapitti, Makiyappiddy, Makayappiddi(Yapanaya[Jaffna]) MAHIYAPITIYA, MAHILAPITIYA Disc.- 'Mahila', 'Maila' may refer to a small tree, Bauhinia racemosa with Jasmin-like flowers. Another possibility is "Moonamal", or Mahila, is 'Mimusops elengi'. Ancient Buddhist ruins. A Buddha statue and parts of a Dagaba and ruins of other buildings have been unearthed. See Thambimuttu's article , reg. discovery of a Buddha statue in the courtyard of the Meenachchi Amman Temple. Indraratna (Ph. D Thesis 1965) writes: "In a Saiva temple at mahiyapitti a Buddha image was found under a stone step in the temple tank". Map | මහියපිටිය |
| Mailaddi, Mayiliddy, Myliddy (yapanaya[Jaffna]) MAHALIYADDA, MAILAEDDA 'Maila gas→Mali gas' is a small tree with Jasmin-like leaves. The name is probably malayalam in oigin (Bauhinia racemosa). 'Maligas', in Maligaspitiya is likely from 'mailagaspitiya'. The place-name may also be a deformation of the sinhala 'Mahaliyadda'. This area is being developed as a third harbour for the Jaffna area. Selvara Pathmanathan alias KP, the arms dealer and International Head of the LTTE was a native of this village. There has been much traffic between this coastal town and south India. KP's parents who were fishermen, but not Karaivar,lived in Veeramanicthevanthrai. It is a hamlet near here named after a Maravar Clansman from Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu, who settled in Myliddy with his clan centuries ago. The LTTE leader known as Castro was also from this fishing village. Ilam Puli (Thurairathinam Kalairaj), a "black Tiger" implicated in the Anuradhapura air-base attack is from this fishing village. See A Tamil Nationalist view See Map | මහලියද්ද මයිලැද්ද |
| Mayilang-koodal(Yapanaya[jaffna]) MAILANGOLLA 'Maila' is a small tree with Jasmin-like leaves. The name is probably malayalam in oigin (Bauhinia racemosa). | මලි ගස්ගොල්ල |
| Maha Mayilang Kulam (Vavniya) MAHAMUGLAN VAEVA, MAHAMELAVAEVA Disc.- Mugalan is a senior Sraavaka of the Buddha maha Monara vaeva, i.e, attributing the name to a peacock, or attributing the name 'Maila' to the small tree Bauhinia Racemosa, are other possibilities. | මහමුගලන්වැව |
| Mayilagasthidar, mayilakastitar (Ampare) MALIGASPITIYA Maila is a small tree, Bauhinia Racemosa, with jasmin-like flowers. The name Maila is probably malayalam in origin. It could also be the tree Mimusops elengi | මලි ගස්පිටිය |
Maligai, Malikei (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) MAALIGAAVA Ancient buddist site listed in 1982 Archae. Dept. (Somasiri) inventory. Meaning: 'Maaligava' is a palace or chateau. Labeled #60 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | මාලිගාව |
| Mailambaveli(Madakalapuva[Batticaloa]) Recent military confrontations. MAL-AMBA-VAELLA Disc.- Due to dry conditions, sometimes Mango can flower and produce fruit through out the year. Such "flowering mango" may occur in the dry zone Normally, the mango tree bears fruit biannually. However, the details of the process are not well understood. E. K. Chako, ISHS Acta Horticulturae 291: III International Mango Symposium | මල්අඹවැල්ල |
| Makilavettuvan, Mahilavettuvaan, Makizhavedduvaan, மகிழவெட்டுவ ான் (Madakalapuva[Batticaloa]) VAKULAVAEDDA Disc.-Vakula is the sanskrit name for the tree Mimusops elengi known in Sinhala as 'Mahila Gasa', or 'Moonamal'. 'Magilam' in Tamil. "Maila" could also be a small tree, Bauhinia racemosa, with jasmin-like flowers. In Tamil 'Vedduan' refers to an open land, usually devoid of large trees . In contrast, Sinhala 'Vaedda' refers to a 'forest' or to a an opening/clearing for arrival (Vaedeema), i.e., a Portal. In this instance, VAKULAVAEDDA is an area overgrown with Vakula trees. Vakula is also linked with nagula,'mongoose' in sanskrit, and the flowers are used in religious and 'hooniyan' (witchcraft) ceremonies. Vakula is also the name of a Buddhist Sravaka who was deified as 'Nakulesvarn' in the Hindu Pasupatha sect. See 'Keerimalai'. | වකුලවැද්ද |
| Malayadi Kanda (ampare) ILUKPITIYA Pre-christian Buddhist site. Disc. 'Ilukpitiya Vihara' is the name of the temple. Tamil name may refer to Malay or Kerala people. "Iluk" is " Imperata Cylindrica" (bot.) There are two hills in this location. The ruins are mostly on one hill. On this hill are 27 caves used for Buddhist meditation. About fifteen of them have inscriptions, and in one cave there are many primitive paintings. The inscriptions establish connections with Mahanaga, Ghotabhaya, Yataalathissa and Kavantissa. | ඉලුක්පිටිය |
| Malikei(Mooladoova[Mullaitivu]) MAALIGAVA Ancient Buddhist site, listed by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri, 1982 | මාලිගාව |
| Mallakam (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) MALLAGAMA, Malalagama 'Malla', refers to wrestling and related sports of strength. Dis. Ancient village mentioned in the 'Nampotha, Buddhist ruins Two fragments of a Yantaragala (chamber-stone) and a rock pond (gal-pokuna) may be seen today. The rock pond was found by Paul E. Peiris. The Mallagama railway station plundered by the LTTE and at the end of the war Map | මල්ලගම |
| Mallavi (Mooladoova [Mullaitivu]) MALLAVA This is located on the Mankulum-Vellankulum road The name stub "Malla" occurs in many old place names, e.g., Mallagama (Jaffna), and in the name of the King "Nissanka-Malla. | මල්ලව |
| Mallikativu (Sirigonakanda [Trincomalee]) MALIGADOOVA | මාලිගාදූව |
| Malwattai (Ampare) MALWATTA | මල්වත්ත |
Mamadu (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) MAMADUWA, MAHAMADUWA Labeled #87 in Vanni Buddhist sites map Ancient Buddhist ruins, Listed in 1982 by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri. | මහමඩුව |
| Mampurai (Puttalama) MAAMPURA The form 'Mahagampure → Maampura'. | මාම්පුර |
| Mamunai(Yapanaya[Jaffna]) MHAMUNNA, MAHAMUNA From 'Maha+Amuna → Mahamunna'. see Jaffna map1 | මහමුන්න |
| ManalAru, Manalaru, Manal Aru (Mooladoova (Mulaitivu]) VAELIOYA, Welioya Weli Oya The name 'welioya' is used in old Sinhala literature. Similar names are found in the south, near Balangoada, Kalupahana etc. This is the much-contested Weli Oya development ares, which includes Kokilava (Kokkilai), Kalu-naedakaenna (Karunaddukeni), Kokkuthudaava (Kokkuthuduvai), Kumbal-amuna (Kumalamunai East and West), Gammalé (Chammalai or Chemmalai), Uththiya-kanda (Othiyamalai), Handuvaana (Tanduvan), Thibbatuvala (Mulliyavalai East), Diyaunna (Thannirootu West), Kaanukaenna (Kannukeni) and Vaellampila (Alampil). Various "farms", e.g., Dollar farm, Kent farm Navalar farm, Ceylon Theatres farm, Menik Farm etc., also fall into this region. Map See entries under the corresponding place names for more maps etc. Two maps which includes many of these places are themarithimepattu-Mullaitive Map and the mullaitivu-oddusudan Map Regional Map, and fighting in 2008 Welioya satellite pictures See UTHR special report 5 reg. colonization policies Sinhalese of the North and East | වැලිඔය මන්ඩ දූව |
| Manalkadu(Yapanaya[Jaffna]) VAELIKADUVA This is almost a mini-desert with sand dunes, with isolated communities. see Jaffna map1 | වැලිකඩුව |
| Mandakal aru, Mandekal aru (Giranikke [Killinochchi]) MANDAGAL OYA In Skrt. 'manda' means slime. This river falls into the Indian ocean on the west coast, near Kumbalamauna (Kumulamunai), while another branch falls into the see near Kumburukanniya (Chempankundu), near Punranna (Pooneryn) | මන්ඩගල්ඔය |
| Mandaitheevu, Mandativu, Mandaitivu (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) MANDADOOVA, MADADOOVA In Skrt. 'manda' means slime. repeated military and terrorist activity see Jaffna map1 | මඩදූව |
| Mandur, Mandpur (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) MANDAPURA This is a town associated with "mada" or "manda" and situated near Madakalapuva. | මන්ඩපුර |
| Manipayi (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) MINIPAEE, minipaaya, Minipe Ancient Buddhist site Meaning. In Tamil "payi" may mean "net", or "sail", and has no contextual sense; the Sinhala name means "gem-castle" In Sinhala, `pe' also means `village' as in 'Dompe', and `Minipe' means `gem-village'. This name may have a relation to the 'manikyaparyanka" of the Legendary visit of the Buddha to Naagadeepa ? See Jaffna map1 | මිනිපේ |
| Manirasakulam(Madakalapuva[Batticaloa]) MINIRAESVAEVA See also entry under "Kurankupanchan" in Gokanna (Trincomalee). | ම්නිරැස්වැව |
| Mankemi (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) MAANAGAMA | මහනාගම |
| Mankerni, Makerny(Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) MAANAKURANA War LTTE base till 2006 Vedda villages, with known clans ("varige"). Map | මානකුරන |
| Mankulam (Mooladoova [Mullaitivu]) MUVAAVAeVA, Muvaweva, MAANAVEVA Muva in S., 'Deer', becomes Tamil, (also Maly, Telgu and K.) 'maan' , War: Prabhakarans first military trainintg camps were set up here in the 1976-1977 period. Read the founding-LTTE treasurer Ganesh Ayer's memoires Dayan Jayatilleke's discussion of 'Hitlarism' in the early LTTE The 'Jayasikuru' offensive, 1997, was aborted here. 1998 32 km. south of Giranikke (killinochchi). See Jayasikuru. The Mankulam railway station plundered by the LTTE, in 2009 the end of the war | මුවාවැව |
| Mankulam (Sri Gonakanda[Trincomalee]) MUVAAVAEVA Ancient Buddhist site; in the list by Archaeo. Dep. Mr. Somasiri, 1982 | මුවාවැව |
Mannakandal (Vannimav [Vavniya]) MONARAKADOLA Disc.- 'Kandal' is probably 'Kandelia rheedii' or related Mangroves Rhizophora mucronata and Rhizophora candel. The word 'kandal' may also be a tamilization of 'gandara', that is, the watery edge or swamp, where gan(ga) =river and 'dara' is related to 'addara', i.e., neighbourhood. Ancient Buddhist ruins, Listed in 1982 by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri Ancient Buddhsit site, reputed to have hosted the Dalada relic. See the book by Ven Kadurugoda Pangnasara on "Madukanda Dalada Viharaya" Labeled #93 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | මොනරැක්ක |
| Mannankulam (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) MAANAVAEVVA, MAURAVAEVA | මානවැව, මයුරවැව |
| Mannar (Mannarama [Mannar]) MANTOTA, MANNARAMA We should revert to MANTOTA Hist.: Manthota (mattottam) or Mantota was a great sea port known to the Babylonians, Chinese etc. Many names have been used: Mahathitha, mahavoti, Mahaputu, Mahavatu, Mahavatutota, Mahapattana Matota, ManthiDhathuwamsa uses the name 'Lankapattana', and some scholars have considered this to be Mannar. However, 'Lankapattana' is probably in the east coast, near Vihare (see entry: Vakarai) 'Man-ara' (i.e., the river flowing to mantota, i.e., malvatu oya) may have given rise to the name 'manaram'. Landing site of Vijaya's second wife. Easy access to Anuradapura along Malwatu oya The Tiruketheesvaram Temple is probably a recent construction. It is recorded that Ibn Batuta in the 14th century visited Mantota. The Kokila Sandesaya mentions it as a trade centre, but no mention however is made by these early sources of a Hindu Temple there. H. C. P. Bell in 1907 recorded that "some wealthy Tamils in search of the reputed 'Lingam' used 300 workmen for six months with the help of a soothsayer but found none except for some Buddhist objects, which was also reported by Hocart in 1927. The Edict of King Sena is near by. The Mannaram Kachcheri location has an Sinhala edict of Kasyapa IV (9 CE). Earliest conversions to Catholicism in Sri Lanka. But 26% Muslims in 1981 census see Carswell, John. 1991. "The Port of Mantai, Sri Lanka." Begley, American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 87, (1983), pp. 461-481 S. Kiribamuna, "The role of the Port city of Mahathathitha in the Trade networks of the Indian Ocean", in "Reflections on a Heritage", Part I 2000. Note that the place name Mantotat itself exists just near Mannar. See Map Map indicating Military action 2008 | මාන්තොට |
| Manniyakulam (Giranikke [Killinochchi]) TAMMAENNAVAEVA This is located on the Pallavrakadu (Pallavarayandaddu)-Thelamurakanda (Terumurikandy) road. See Map | තම්මැන්නා |
| Mannittalai, Manniththalai, மண்ணித்தலை (Yapanaya[Jafna]) VAELITHALAAVA This is a sandy peninsular area near Punranna (Pooneryn). This may have been an ancient Potter's village. The name may also have come from the "maan" stub found in "Maanthota", "tham-maennava" etc, associated with the mannaarama region. | වැලිතලාව |
| Manthai, Mantai (Mannarama [Mannar]) MATOTA, Mahatheetha, MAANTHÉ Maennava This was a great seaport on the Silk route This area was regarded as a province of a Naga tribe who were artisans - devakanmi. Legend has it that `Visvakarma', the architect of the Gods, was their chief. Lankapura, the Yaksha capital, was said to be near here, and many Yakka kings are said to have found their queens here. The wife of the Asura King Sura Padma defeated by Skandha was a Naga princes from Mathota. Ravana himself had a wife from here, while Kuvera, the uncle of Ravana had married Chitraleka the daughter of another Devaknmi. Visvakarma is said to have built an iron fort here. Sailors were lured into it by pretty women while their men (pirates) attacked the ships (c.f., the Ku-veni story)Kadira. The iron fort is said to have been destroyed by Vijaya. The name "maennava" is related to "Tammmaennava", and "Manthai" is a close cognate of "Maanthota". This location has been linked with the legend of Vijaya. Map and Army action 2008 | මාන්තේ |
| Manthikai(Yapanaya[Jafna]) MANDIKKA The name implies a muddy, salty or slimy place. Hospital; one time IPKF army camp here. Map | මන්ඩික්ක |
Manthriviharaya Manthirivihare (Vannimava[Vavniya]) MANTHRIVIHARÉ Ancient buddhsit site Labeled #99 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | මන්ත්රිවිහාරෙ |
| Mantivu (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa])) MANDOOVA Compare etymology discussions under Manthai etc. Map | මාන්දූව |
Manukfarm ⚓name, Kadirgamar IDP village(Vannimava[Vavniya]), MENIK FARM This is a private land, adjavent to Intembifarm, and Appapillege Idama. These areas, together with Dollar farm, were subject to LTTE attacks on settlers in 1984 and colonization efforts by the government and by the LTTE. See Malinga Gunaratne's book For a sovereign State (Sarvodaya Vishvalekha Publication 1988). In 2009 this area began to be used for "internally displace people" (IDPs). The "Kadirgam village" has been established near here. When two other names, Ramanathan and Arunachalam were proposed, there were objections from dissident writers like Sebastian Rasalingam. Ramanathan, Arunachalam and the IDP villages, by S. Rasalingam , See also Upulvan in the safe zone These lands contain ancient Buddhist archaeological sites, as cited in the (Somasiri) archeological Commissioner's report. "Mahathalithagama" mentioned in the Mahavamsa may have this area and the surroundings. There are two buildings with stone pillars, a stone pond, and ancient ruins. Labeled #110-116 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | මහ-තලිත-;;ගම |
| Marailuppai(mooladoova[Mullaitivu]) MAARAMEEYA, GAETAMEEYA 'Iluppa', see MEEPATHOTA, which was rendered 'Iluppaikadavai', after the Magha invasion. 'Maarameeya' suggests a knotted "Mee""tree, as more explicitly used in 'Gaetameeya'. Ancient Buddhist ruins. More Buddhist ruins at "Periyamarailuppi", or MAHAMEEYA. map | මාරමීය, ගැටමීය |
| Marakkarampalai, Marukkarampalai (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) MALLAKARANAPOLA Meaning: In S., site for wrestling sports. map | මල්ලකරන්පොල |
| Maranwadiyai,Maranvadi(Sri Gonakanda [Trincomalee]) VARAN-VAEDIYA Disc.- Names suggests a 'place for blessings. Ancient Buddhist site; in the list by Archaeo. Dept., Somasiri, 1982. | වරන්වාඩිය |
| Marathamunai (Ampare) BURUTHAMUNA,MARUTHAMUNNA See under 'Maruthamunai' for details and map. | බුරුතමුන්න |
| Maraviluppai, maraviluddai (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) MAHAVILA-UDA, MAARAMEEYA, Gaetameeya Meaning. In Tamil "vil" means "Bow" and has no immediate meaning. 'Iluppa', see MEEPATHOTA, which was rendered 'Iluppaikadavai', after the Magha invasion. 'Maarameeya' suggests a knotted "Mee""tree, as more explicitly used in 'Gaetameeya'. | මහවිල්උඩ මාරමීය |
| Maravanpulavu(Yapanaya[jaffna]) MAAVANPOLAWA Disc.- 'Maavan' exits in Sinhala places names , e.g, Mavanella. It may refer to a 'mahavana', a timbered forest 'In T., 'maravan' could be related to to 'mararam, trees. Paluva here refers to a grove of Palu trees. see Jaffna map1 | මාවන්පලුව |
| Maracci(Japanaya[Jaffna]) MARACHHIRATA As given by Dr. K. Indrapala in his Ph. D. thesis. | මරච්චිරට |
| MarichchiKaddi, Marichchukkaddi (Mannarama [Mannar]) MIRIJJAKADA, MIRIJJAKARA Disc. 'Marchchi', Marikki, Marikku' etc., have no meaning in Tamil 'Kaddi, Kattai' etc., also do not provide a useful meaning in T. 'Mirijjakada', Mirijjakara' in S. would mean 'a strip of unsalted water'. N.B., 'salted water is 'Karijja' in S., where 'kara' is sea shore. Dutch VOC records give Marsikatte, Martikatte. Hence the name had already changed by the 17th century. Colonial ruins Map | ම්රිජ්ජකඩ |
| Maripututivu(Puttalam]) MALIPUTHU DIVA This is 'Malia-puthra theeva', found in the Puttalam kalapuva (Lagoon). | මලිපුතු දූව |
| Marthand, Markand, Markandal (Madakalapuva [Batticaloa]) MALKADOLA This is small Island located in the Kivul-ara (Upparu) Lagoon close to Vaakaraya (Vakarai). The island's Sinhalese name originates from a type of flowering mangrove ('Mal Kadol') found in such islands. | මලිපුතු දූව |
| Marukaraimoddai, Mathukkaraimotte மருக்காரை ;மோட்டை (Mooladoova [Mullaitivu]) MARU-VAELI-MADDÉ 'Moddai', 'Motte' are derived from the sinhlala "muddy place=maddé", as discussed under "Adaikkalamoddai", or "Athimottai". Also "Maru-Vaeli" in S. means "quick-sand", "dangerous shore" or "dangerous bank". "Karai" in Tamil, and "Kara" in Sinhala also means "shore" or "bank". The name "murukarai" may also signify a type of thorny shrub in Tamil ("emetic nut tree in English, Kukurumuvan in Sinhala, Madana-phala in Skrt., Randia dumetorum, in L.). | මරුවැලිමඩේ |
| Maruthamadu (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) BURUTHAMADUWA Meaning: 'Burutha' in S., and Marutha in T. is Kumbuk (Terminalia arjuna), or sometimes "Satin", a teak-like tree, "Chrolophylla sweetnia". Map | බුරුතමඩුව |
| Maruthamunai,Marathamunai (Ampare) MARUTHA-MUNNA, Kumbuk-amuna See discussion under 'Maruthamadu'for another meaning of "Marutha. However, we believe that here "marutha" is the sinhalese word "Maarutha" for "storm". Also, "Munna is facing-point, usually near the sea. This location was strongly damaged by the 2004 Dec. 26 Tsunami, and about 3000 people died in he area. Tsunami in Maruthamunna Regional map | බුරුතමුන්න |
| Maruthankulam (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) BURUTHAVAEVA, Kumbukvaeva See discussion under 'Maruthamadu' | බුරුතවැව |
| Maruthodai (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) BURUTHUOYA, Kumbukoya Meaning: In S., 'Burutha+oya → buruthoya'. In T., 'odai' is an 'oya' which dries up occassionly Sinhala 'Burutha' is Satin, Chrolophylla sweetnia. Marutha in T. could often be used for: Terminalia arjuna, Kumbuk. | බුරුත ඔය |
| Matavittikulam, Madaviddikulam, Mattavithikulam, Mathavuvaithakulam, Matavuvaittakulam (Vannimava, [Vavniya]) MAEDAVITIVAEVA Ancient Buddhist site, listed by Archaeo. Dept. (Somasiri), 1982 However, although the same name, the location is different. map | මැදවිටිවැව |
| Mathagal (Yapanaya[Jaffna]) MAETTAGALA No meaning in Tamil. | මැට්ටගල |
| Mathalai, Matali (Mathale district) MATHALE, Maathalé Matale The name may have arisen from "Maha-thalé:' meaning big plateau in Sinhala. The town is at the base of the Dumbara Kandu-yaaya, known in English as the `Knuckles range', famous for its bio-diversity. New Flower species in Dumbara Kanduyaya 2011 Matale is 142 km from Colombo. The `Aluvihara Temple' is where the Pali Canon was first written down circa 29-17 BCE on ola (palm) leaves, during a period beset with the Brahmana-Tissa' famine, when Vattagamini was the king with the capital in Anuradhapura. The temple was then probably called the `Abhayagiri temple', and possibly also the "Aloka Vihara". The latter probably gave rise to the name `Alo Vihara'. The writing of the canon has been discussed by Russell Bowden Matale was also the site of the Matale Rebellion in 1848 when the British garrison in Fort Macdowall was placed under siege by Weera Puran Appu, Gongalegoda Banda and their troops. Monarawila Keppetipola, the leader of the Wellasa rebellion (1817-1818, or Uva uprising) against the British had his ancestral home (Kappetipola Walauwa) in Hulangamuwa, Matale. The Amman Hindu Kovil, the `Christ Church' which was built in 1860, and many Islamic Mosques are found in this city which has acquired a growing Muslim population. | මා ත ලේ |
| Mathawachchi (Vannimava [Vavniya]) Maedavachchiya No meaning in Tamil. The village is populated mainly by Sinhala and Muslim people. | මැදවච්චිය |
| Mattakkalappu (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) MADAKALAPUWA see Batticaloa under letter B There is an unidentified 'mattikaratitha' referred to in the Pali chronicles. | මඩකලපුව |
| Mattutivu (Puththalama [Puttalam]) MADDU-DOOVA ⚓name The 'D' here is the soft 'dh' sound as in 'the'. Meaning: 'Maddu'(මද්දු) means 'in the middle', 'Madya' in Sanskrit, Sinhala and and indeed absorbed into Tamil as well. This is an island in between Kalpitiya (Galpitiya) jut-out and the mainland. Map Part of the post-war tourist development project: Sri Lankan government to lease out 10 more islands in the Kalpitiya area for tourism | මද්දු දූව |
| Matauvainthankulam(Mooladoova[Mullaitivu]) See entry under Maduvankulam | උපුල්වන්වැව |
| Mavadimunmari, Mavadi Munmari(Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) MAHAVAEDI - MULVAERIYA, A` sound as in AT Dis. 'Mulvariya' seems to mean cultivation before the rains arrive. 'Mahavaedi' may mean chief Veddha, or it could also be 'mango' tree in T. This has been an LTTE military training camp or 'Kottam' See also 'Berawa Munmari' Map | මහවැදි මුල්වේරිය |
| Mavediodai(Ampare) MAHAVAEDI-ODE 'ODE' is pronounced with a long 'O'. This is close to Thopigala and has been an LTTE camp/td> | මහවැදිඔඩය |
| Mavadippalli, Maavadippillai (Ampare) MAHAVAEDIPAHALA, MAHAVAEDIPALLIYA 'Mahavaedi' may mean chief Veddha, or it could also 'mango' tree in T. 'Palli' could refer to a non-hindu (e.g, jain, Buddhist) shrine or, a low-lying region. See the entry under 'Pachchilaippalli'. Also, 'palli','halli, alli' mean village or place ('pala' in S.), a current usage 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. | මහවැදිපහල මහවැදිපල්ලිය |
| Maveliturai (Naedundoova [Delft]) MAAVAELITHOTA SL-government Naval base. Ancient Buddhist Ruins. Mr. D. T. Devendra, during a visit in the 1940s to Delft , discovered a mound which on closer examination turned out to be a Dagoba. No recent excavations have been done. Map | මාවැලිතොට |
| Mawadichenai, Mavadichenai (Sirigonakanda [Trincomalee]) MAHAVAEDIHENA | මහවැදිහේන |
| Mavidivembu, Mawidivembu, Mavithivempu(Ampare) MAHAVAEDIKOHOMBE This is located east of Toppigala(Baron's cap) 'Vembu, Vempu' (T, M) refer to the Neem tree. | මහවැදිකොහොඹෙ |
| Mavilaru, Mavil Aru (Sirigonakanda [Trincomalee]) MAVILOYA, MaavilAara, Mavilara, MAHAVILOYA War: Confrontation over Maviloya Anicut started on 21- July- 2006, when the LTTE high command closed the water supply to some 20,000 farmers. The objective of the LTTE was to make the government yield the Gokanna (Trinco) area and the harbour which was vital for linking with the Jaffna garrisons, as all land routes to Jaffna were under the LTTE gun. THe Jaathika hela Urumaya organized public protests in the area. The area includes Galaara (Kallar), Thoopapura (Thoppur), Seruvila Rajamaha Vihara area, Pallikulissa (Pallikudirippu), Girivaedda (Kiliveddy), Sankavaella (Kanguweli) and other multi-racial as well as Sinhala villages, all of which seem to have had established sinhala place names, said to be found even in Dutch records. Quite unexpected by the LTTE, their advisers as well as the UNP-led opposition, the government stood firm. General Pannipitiya led the offensive, fought hard and captured the Anicut. The Tigers intensified the offensive and launched the Eelam IV war which they eventually lost, in May 2009. One of the heroes of the Maavil Aara war, General Parakrama Pannipitiya fell out with the commander Gen. Sarath Fonseka, and this led to a court martial of Pannipitiya launched by Fonseka. The Court Martial was challenged by Pannipitiya, and it was eventually overturned by the supreme court. After the defeat of the LTTE in May 2009, Gen. Fonseka turned against President Rajapaksa, and formed the UNP-JVP-TNA alliance against the President. This alliance was strongly supported by the West as well as the Tamil-speaking diaspora, but was decisively beaten by the incumbent president who polled almost 60% of the votes. During the campaign Fonseka claimed that the government forces killed off white-flag bearing LTTE leaders seeking surrender. This claim led to a court martial of Gen. Fonseka. map | මහවිල්ඔය මාවිල්අɔර |
| Mavittapuram, Maaviddapuram (yapanaya [Jaffna]) MAVITAPURA Mavitapura is in the vicinity of the shrine Keerimallai (Vakulakanda). The Kandasamy Kovil, close to the High Security Zone, Vaeligama (Valikaamam) is located here. The word Maavita most probably means a demarcated area (c.f., old Tamil, maavItal, and mavita in Sanskrit, signifying 'bound', 'marked-of' or 'tied together' (Monier-Williams). Thus the area is associated with the more important Keerimalai (Vakulakada) shrine. In fact, an alternative Hindu name that has been used from time to time was "Kovil Kadavi", which can be taken to means "the neighborhood under the control of the Kovil". So the latter is consistent with Maavittipuram, the long-standing name. The "designated area", i.e., Mavittapuram, was also designated mainly for the higher castes who had sufficient purity to work in a sacred area. Hence, this area has always been a hot-bed of casteism. Local anecdotal story-tellings (with no historical foundations), similar to the legend of a blind Lute-player giving rise to the name Yalpanam have been sometimes offered for the origin of the place-name Mavittapuram. Thus, one story claims that Ma could refer to horse in Tamil, while Vitta could be construed to mean removed, while puram (Skrt. Pura) means city. So the intriguing horse-removed-city name is substantiated with the following story. A teenage Chola Princess in South India was cursed by a sage (clearly a very spiteful sage !) when he was laughed at by the princess. In some versions of the story, the sage had a "horse-like" face and it was this that caused the princess to laugh at the sage. The curse turned the face of the princess into that of a horse. In order to undo the curse, the princess had to come to Lanka and bathe at the Keerimalai (Vakulakanda) sacred springs, and invoke the blessings of Murugan. The story is inconsistent, or has incorrectly confused several threads of Hindu iconography and representations of the avatars of Vishnu, Ganesh, Murugan etc., as well as the historical facts associated with the Keeramali (Vakula Kanda) shrine. Keerimalai (Vakulakanda) is associated with Lord Nakulesvaran (rather than Murugan), i.e., the mongoose-faced God of Hinduism and also of early Mahayana Buddhism where Vakula is the name of a Mahayana-Arhant (i.e., a Buddhist saint who has achieved one of the higher mental states leading to emancipation). In contrast, the horse-faced Hindu deity is Hayagriva, and is a part of Vaishnavite worship rather than that of Murugan. Furthermore, many of the Hayagriva Kovils are old temples designated to God Naka, the God of the Naga tribes, and are found in towns with links to a Nagpur (Nallur), and not at all associated with God Murugan. Shanmugathasan's Peking-wing (Communist Party) agitated in 1976-1977 here for low-caste temple-entry-rights, schools, water-wells etc., and accused the TULF-Federal party and S. J. V. Chelvanayakam for supporting the caste system. He challenged S. J. V. to re-contest his seat on the caste issue. This has been historically a very caste conscious area. Thus recorded caste clashes here are found from 1871 up to modern times. The earliest documented clashes occurred between Vellalar, Vanavar (dhobies) and Ambattar (barbers) groups in Mavittapuram. The conflicts started when the the dhobies refused to wash the barbers' clothes. The Vellalar have been blamed for the conflagration where they attempted to impose the usual orthodox hierarchy. The Maviddapuram railway station plundered by the LTTE and at the end of the war, 2009 | මාවිටපුර |
| Maviddapuram, maavitapuram (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) MAHAVITAPURA Meaning: 'Mahavita' would mean a 'demarcated area. | මහවිටපුර |
| Mayavan Aru (Puttalam) MEE OYA Disc. Near Halawatha; (Chilaw) Historic Munneswaram Temple near Mee Oya (Mayavan aru) | මීඔය |
| Meesalai (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) MEESAeLA See Map Meaning: In T., 'meesalai' could mean 'big street', however, it is a small place bit off the highway. In S. it means a honeyshop The state of the Meesaela railway station in 2009, plundered by the LTTE, at the end of the war | මීසැල. |
Melinchimunai (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) MADINNAMUNNA, madina-amuna | මදින්නාමුන්න |
| Metikumbullai(Mooladoova[Mulaitivu]) MAETIKAMMULLA Labeled #27 in Vanni Buddhist sites map Ancient buddhsit site, listed by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri, 1982 Dis.-'Matikam' is brick and pottery related work. | මැටිකම්මුල්ල |
Mettukulam (Mooladoova[Mullaitivu]) IHALAVAEVA Ancient Buddhist ruins, Listed in 1982 by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri Labeled #39 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | ඉහලවැව |
| Minipai(Yapanaya[Jaffna]) MAENIPAY, MAENIKPAYA, MENIKPAYA Ancient budhist site. See Interactive map of pre-CE Buddhist sites in Jaffna | ම්නිපේ |
| Miravodai (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) MEERAVITA Postal code BCS30426 | මීරවිට |
| Mirakkappannai (Mannarama [Mannar]) MIRIJJAPAENNA meaning: In S., fresh-water spot. This is in fact the last fresh-water point in Mannar Island. See Map | ම්රි ජ්ජ පැන්න |
| Mirusuvil (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) Mirijavila, miridiyavila meaning: In S., fresh-water pond. no clear meaning fitting into context for "Mirusu", or "vil" in tamil. WE believe that it is an adaptation of "mirijavila". or miridiyavila The state of the Mirusuvil (Mirijavila) station, plundered by the LTTE, at the end of the war, 2009 | ම්රිජ ිල, ම්රි දිය විල |
| Miyankulam(Valashena[Valachchenai]) MIYAN-VAEVA, MAHIYANVAEVA Near Viharae (Vakarai) 'Mahiya' is probably same as 'Moonamal', i.e., Mimusops elengi. The names 'Miyanakandura'(Badulla), and 'Miyanavita'(Kegalle) exit. Mahiyan(gana)→Miyan ? We have found no map for this location Typical war zone | ම්යන්වැව, මහියන්වැව |
Mohaunthankulama, Mohunthnkulam, Mohontankulam(Vannimava [Vavniya]) MUHUNTHAENNA VAEVA Ancient Buddhist ruins, Listed in 1982 by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri There are two sites with the ame area name The site 118 has two ancient shrine rooms and remnants of a stupa. Labeled #111 in Vanni Buddhist sites map Labeled #118 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | මුහුන්තැන්නවැව |
| Modarakam Aru (Mannarama) MODARAGAM OYA The Sinhala place name 'Modara' is derived from "Mooduthara" (its Tamilization being 'Muththur'), and refers usually to a place where there is an opening to the ocean via a river . Thus "Modara" in the north of Colombo is effectively the exit of the Kelani (Kaelani) river to the sea. Thus Kaelanithota or "kolonthota" 'Kolon-ahamba" (Colombo) are all words with kindered toponymic structure. 'Modaragam Oya' falls to the sea near Mannarama (Mannar) | මෝදරගම්ඔය |
| Moolai (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) MULLA This is located in Vaeligama (Valigamam ), on the Jaffna-Karainagar road. The Vishnu temple here was found to have vestiges of ancient remains of walls and a broken sedent Buddha image. | මුල්ල |
| Moondumurippu,Moonrumurippu (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) THUNKANDIA, THUNMURAYA see the etimology of murippu Map | තුන්කන්ඩිය |
| Morakkottanchenai (Madakalpuwa [Batticaloa]) MORAKOTANHENA Meaning: : in S. ' Mora kotan' are logs of 'Mora tree' Pometia Tomentosa is a common species of Mora. Nephelium longanum / Dimocarpus longan are other forms. This is a large tree with Lychee-like fruits. See Map | මොරකොටහේන |
| Mottuvarm, Muhattuvaram (Sri Gonakanna[Trincomalee]) MUHUDUVARAMA, Lankapatuna Hist.- Located N. of Verugala, The tooth relic was brought here by Princess Hemamala and Prince Dantha of Kalinga, in ~310 AD. King Keerthi Sri Megavanna's time; Samudra Giri temple, ancient port. The LTTE Illankkasthurai camp was established here. There is also a "Muhathvaram" in Batticaloa.This is also of historical interest, as it is believed to be an ancient port. | ලංකාපටුන මූදුවරම |
| Mudalakkuli (Puttalama) MUDALIKULIYA 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 (Jaapanaya). See entry under 'Mudaliyakulam'. | මුදලිකුලිය |
Mudaliyakulam, Muthaliyakulam (Vannimava[Vavniyava]) MUDALIYAVAEVA Ancient Buddhist ruins, Listed in 1982 by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri Disc. The word "Mudali" is probably of Kannada (modaliga) or Malayalam in origin. It is also a caste title of a section of the Velalas (cenkuntar group), it is also used by a Jian sect in Tanjore. In Sri Lanka it refers to a local chief, or landowner and this became a title under the British. Clearly, an older place name besides MUDALIYAVAEVA should exist, and presently we do not know what that was. Labeled #90 in Vanni Buddhist sites map Labeled #117 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | මුදලියවැව |
| Muthalikulam, Mudalikkulam (SriGonakanda[Trincomalee]) MORAVAEVA, Moraweva Also called 'Katukulampattu'. (East) This tank became the focus of a colonization scheme around 1960 This village was at ~60% Sinhala speaking, but came under LTTE "ethnic cleansing", while the Tamil nationalists claim that this was an original Tamil village. For details, see Malinga Gunaratne, "For a sovereign State" (1988) On the othe rhand, UTHR(J)-writer Rajan Hoole writes (Sri Lanka: Arrogance of Power - Myth, Decadence and Murder. ) "There was of course a good deal of ill-feeling among Tamils about the manner in which Sinhalese colonisation was carried out at Mudalikkulam (Morawewa) and Periyavilankulam (Mahadivulwewa), and the orchestrated violence against Tamils in 1983. The ensuing bitterness was among the motivations of a large number of Tamil youth joining the different militant movements. The arming of Sinhalese villages in early 1985, as pointed out, made the situation explosive. However from May 1986 there was violence of a new intensity, where the LTTE broke several months of calm, creating insecurity for the Tamils and playing on their feelings by offering revenge." | මොරවැව |
| Muhamalai, Muhamaali, Mukamaalai (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) MURA MAALÉ, MUHAMAALÉ, MUHAKANDA Meaning. "Muha" could mean "mouth" or "face" in Tamil. There is a "Mohakulam" near Kerala, where "Moha" is perhaps related to "Moham". Maali in Tamil would refer to a garland, c.f., Maalé in Sinhala. This area has always been a nothern defence line since ancient times, and the name "muramaaé" means a defensive ring. The most likely possibility is that "muha" is a typonym from the Sinhala "maha". Military base and frequent clashes see 2006 October Clashes Forward Defence Line Map | මුරමාලෙ, මහකන්ද |
| Muhathankulam (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) MAHATHANVEVA | මහතැන්වැව |
| Mulankavil (Giranikke, [kilinochchi]) Morangavila Meaning. In Tamil "vil" means "Bow" and has no valid contextual meaning here. The area is rich in history, although very little archaeological research has been done. The word "molagu" in Kannada, and its Tamil cognate "mulanku", may mean "to roar, thunder", etc., and the name may suggest a tank with "roaring water". Moranga refers to "murunga", a tree known now a days as "Murunga". There is a hospital and this has been an important garrison town and ceremonial site of the LTTE until August 2008 (used for Maavir day celebrations etc.). Kollanvillu (kollanvila), 4 km south, has been an LTTE training site for some time. Army report and Map | මූලකොවිල |
| Mullativu, Mullaittivu, Mullaiththeevu, முல்லைத்தீவு (Mooladoova [Mullaitivu]) MOOLADOOVA 'Mooladoova' means the 'principal islet, or main islet', and this name may have been given to it during its use as a central depot of a sea port. Another possibility is that the name is derived from the name of trees like Cassia fistula, "Ehela" (Aehaela) in Sinhala, commonly ''Konnnai', or rarely Mullaimaram' in Tamil, or possibly from solanaum Indica, known as 'Mulli' in Tamil, and "Thibbatu" in Sinhala. However, no 'Cassia fistula' type vegetation is found here to justify this name. Hist. This was an ancient sea port during Anuradhapura-Pollonnaruwa era. Even today 109 Buddhist archaeological sites have been identified in the Mooladuva district. See D. somasiri, Archaelogy Dept. Report, 1982. There is also evidence of Jain religious sites; c.f., monument/area named "Thirthankara", mostly destroyed by the 2004 Dec. Tsunami. There are some "Tirthankarai" Hindu sites as well. 2014 "Katina Pinkama" festival at Mullaitive War: This was a frequent hot spot during Eelam wars; Some 1200 soldiers killed on 18-July-96 LTTE battle. Ethnic cleansing Expulsion of Muslims by the LTTE, Read views of Satyendra, Balasinham, Prabakaran etc. Map | මූලදූව |
| Mullikulam(Mannaram[Mannar]) Thibbotuvaeva Disc. Thibbotu is 'solanam Indica', 'Mulli' in Tamil This is near the forward defence line in Mannarama. | තිබ්බටුවැව, තිබ්බොටුවැව |
| Mullikulam Malai (Ampare) BATUVA`VKANDA Disc. Thibbotu, Katuvalbatu, etc., e.g., Solanum Indica , 'mulli' in Tamil Hist. There are two short rock inscriptions of the 1st century B.C. beside a flight of steps cut on the hill of MULVAGIRIYA (Mallikulam Malai). Below the drip ledge of a cave is a cave inscription (1st century B.C). Seven lines of the inscription are given in Ven. E. Medhananda's book (2003). there is no toponymic information in the inscription. | බටුවැව්කන්ද |
| Mullivaikkal (Mooladoova [Mullaitivu]) MUL-AGALA,Mulvakkkadé MULVAKKDE ⚓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 "Tibbatu", but in this context we believe that it is based on the stem "Mul". 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" | මුල්වක්කඩේ මුල් අගල |
| Mulliyan, Mulliyaan (Yapanaya [Jaffna]) THIBBOTUVANA Disc. Thibbotu, Katuvalbatu, etc., e.g., Solanum Indica, 'mulli' in Tamil | තිබ්බොටුවන |
| Mulliyaditidal(SriGonakanda[Trincomalee]) BATUVANTHUDAAVA See discussion under "Mulliyavalai" Map | බටුවන්තුඩාව |
| Mullikkandal(Mooladoova[Mullaitivu]) BATUGANDARA Disc.- Gandata or Gamthara is a low-lying marshy edge of the river (gang-addara -. gandara, gamthara). Regarding "Batu', 'Mulli", see discussion under "Mulliyavalai" 'Kandal' is also related to the 'kadol tree', Rhizophora mucronata Rhizophora candel, and related species./td> | බටුගන්දර |
Mulliyawalai Molliyawalai,Mulliyavalai (Mooladoova [Mullaitivu]) THIBBOTUVALA Labeled #32 in Vanni Buddhist sites map Disc. Thibbotu, Katuvalbatu, etc., e.g., Solanum Indica, 'mulli' in Tamil Here 'Vala' in Sinhala does NOT mean pit, but 'thicket' or forest Ancient Buddhist site, listed by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri, 1982 Map | තිබ්බොටුවල |
| Munsal(Yapanaya[Jaffna]) Madurusaala | මදුරුසාර |
| Mundampiddi, Moondrampitty(Mannarama[Mannar]) Mullepitiya Disc.- 'Mundam' in T., also can be understood to mean 'first', 'primary' equivalent to Sinhala 'Mul'. This is on the A32 road. | මුල්ලෙපිටිය |
| Mundamuripu, Mundumurippu (Mannarama[Mannar]) THUNKANDIYA, Thunmuraya, MULMURAYA see the etimology of murippu The name perhaps implies 'three dams', or the 'Main watch-station' Historically, the port of invasion used by the Magha, i.e., Meepathota(Illupaikavai) is close by. | තුන්කන්ඩිය |
| Mundel (Puttalama) MUNDALAMA, MUNTHALAMA 'Mundalama' is currently in use. It is a 'partial tamilization' between 'muntalama' and 'mundel'! Tamil for 'junction of three roads' is 'muntal'. In sinhala, munthalam would mean 'flat region or field (talama) where 'mun peas' (e.g., Phaseolus mungo) are grown. Note the existence of place names like 'Munthana' on the Maduru Oya, Vaelikanda area. Postal code PXP61250 | මුන්තලම |
| Munaggam, Munnagam, Munnakkam Mooladoova ([Mullaitivu]) MULGAMA Mulgama suggest the existence of an older village or settlement here, and is consistent with the Tamil "munna" which could also mean "old or ancestral". This is in the Welioya area. This was part of the LTTE complex involving the Munnakam, Michael and Sugandan bases. Toops of the 59th division captured these in the first half of August 2008. See Military front August 2008 For other maps of the region etc, please see entries under Manal aru (Weli Oya).Map See Military activity in the area : This is also an area full of ancient Buddhist archeological ruins. See Buddhist archeological sites in the Welioya-Mooladoova area | මුල්ගම |
| Muntiriveli, Munthiroveli (Mannarama [Mannar]) MIDIVAELLA This is on the Mannaram island, near Talaimannar. 'Mudrika → midi' in sinhala is grapes, probably the wild form 'Vitis latifolia'. The Tamil 'muntiri' may also have arrived from the root 'murdika' just as in Sinhala. The Malayalam word for 'Cashew' may also be a source of the word 'Muntiri'. MAP | ම්දිවැල්ල |
| Murakottanchanai (Madakalapuwa [Batticaloa]) MULAKOTAHENA Postal code BCS30392 | මුරකොටහේන |
| Murasumoddai (Giranikke, [kilinochchi]) MURATUMOTTE' 'Muratu' in Sinhala, 'moradu' in 'Kannada', and muratu in T., may mean rough, knotty, poorly grown part of trees. 'Motte ← Modde ← Made' signifies a muddy, swampy place. The latin word for 'marsh' is 'madeo', while Skrt. 'manda' means slime. Regional map | මුරටුමොටේ |
| Murukandi, Murikandy, Murikkandy, Murugandi (giranikke [Killinochchi]) MURAKANDA Note that Murikandy on the A9 road and Murikandi west of it are two separate villages. "Muri" in Tamil, முர, or 'murik', 'muru' do not have contextually useful meanings for the place name. "Murrikka' in Malayalam may mean 'to snap'. By contrast, the sinhala place name indicates a watch (mura) located on a hill. The elevation here is about 100 meters. The "Murikandy Pillayar shrine" is located here. The name Pillayar is given to Ganesha - `remover of obstacles and Lord of auspiciousness'. It is a stop point for Hindus who worship for a safe journey. Interestingly enough, new kovils with the 'Pillayar' name have sprung up in the south with the migration of the Tamil-speaking population to the south during the Eelam wars. Thus a 'Visa-Pillayar Kovil', using by people planning to go aborad, has appeared close to Ramakrishna Road, in Colombo In 1985 TELO blew up a Colombo-bound 'Yaldevi' train here. This was a stronghold of the LTTE that fell to Govt. forces on the 21st, october 2008. See also "Terumurikandy". Map The state of the Murukandi Kovil (Murakanda -kovila) station, plundered by the LTTE, at the end of the war, 2009 The state of the Murukandi (Murakanda) station, plundered by the LTTE, at the end of the war, 2009 | මුරකන්ද |
| Murunkan (Mannarama [Mannar]) MUDUNGAMA Colonial ruins | මුදුන්ගම |
| Muruthanai(Madalalapuva[Batticaloa]) MURATHAENA Dsc.- 'Murutan' has no contextual meaning in Tamil or related languages. 'Thaenna' is a common sinhala ending for 'place', location In pure tamil the usage is '(s)thaanam', and the form 'thanai' However, 'Mura' for watch is common to old sinhala and tamil, possibly derived from etruscan sources which fed the early prakrit forms. see the etimology of murippu, mura etc. found only in Sri Lanka is probably a sign of adaptation from Sinhala. Map | මුරතැන්න |
Murutumadu (Mooladoova[Mullaitivu]) Buruthumaduwa Ancient Buddhist ruins, Listed in 1982 by Archaeo. Dep. Somasiri Labeled #75 in Vanni Buddhist sites map | බුරුතමඩුව |
| Musali, முசலி (Mannarama [Mannar]) MUHALA, MUSALA THe AGA division with the same name was created in 1981. The name is most probably from the sanskrit Musalee→Muhala (crocodile) and thus refers to a place (e.g, swamp, tank) with crocodiles, (kimbula in Sinhala); Chaanaakamin Tamil; Crocodylus Palustris in L. The name could also refer to "face, mouth, bud or flower" as in "Kehel-muha", (flower of the plantain) or in the Skrew-pine ((Pandanus odoratissimus). Note that in Skrt. "Muha" or 'Mukha" may have this meaning and exists in standard Sinhala and literary Tamil. The Muhala (Musali) village is in an area which was called "Muhala pattuva", or "Musalai pattuva", where "pattuva" is a subdivision of a ``Korale''. Note that the sinhala "Patuna" (e.g., as in Yapa Patune, c.f., Jaffna) and the corresponding sanskrit word "pattana" is 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 See the write up under අගස්තිමුරේ Akattimurippu. See water management in Ancient Lanka | මෝහල, මුසල |
| Musalpitti, Musalipiddi (Puttalama) MUSALPITIYA This is in the thin strip of land forming the western edge of the Kalpitiya Lagoon, and north of the Talavila sanctuary of St. Ann. | මුසලපිටිය |
| Muthaliyarkulam (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) MUDALIVAEVA | මුදලිවැව |
| Muthauyan Kaddakulam (Vavnimava [Vavniya]) MUDUNKOTUVA VAEVA It is unlikely that the name has anything to do with "Burutha". 'Burutha' is Ceylon satinwood, Chloroxylon swietenia. It is more commonly known in Tamil as 'Varimari' or 'Varimarai', etc. Perhaps 'Buruthe' → Murutha → Muthau is unlikely. See "Muttiyankattu" below for a discussion of "Muduna" (sinhala). | මුදුන්කොටොව වැව |
| Muttiyankattu, Muththiankattu, Muttiankaddu (Mooladoova [Mullaitivu]) MUDUNKADUVA "Mutti" in Tamil also indicates "crown", "head" etc., and agree with the sinhala meaning "Mudun", i.e., 'crest' or 'top'. Area Map, and military activity in 2009 | මුදුන්කඩුව |
| i Mutur,Muttur (Sirigonakanda [Trincomalee]) MOODUTHORA, MOODUTHARA(anchor name), MODARA, Mutugama ?, Girinuwara ? In Tamil, `Mooththa' means old, 'oor' is town or city and 'muttur' may mean 'Old-city' Hist. In 1762, Pybus, the British Ambassador to Kandy was received by the king's officers at Mooduthora, when Trinco was used as a port of the King of Kandy. Robert Knox surrendered to a Disawa of the King of Kandy, at Moodutara (Muttur) G. D. A. Perera has suggested that "Mutur" is derived from "Old city", which was "Girirnuwara". We feel that Girirnuwara was a much larger city, while Muttur, (c.f., Modara), is derived from Moodutara, and was a sea port near Girinuwara. The long pronunciation, "Mootur", which is locally found, is more consistent with Mooduthara, than the Tamil "Mutoor", where "oor", or "(p)oor" means village in Tamil, and sinhalizes to "Mutugama". That is, the original Sinhala "Mooduthora" became Moothur and Mutur. Note that many journalists write the name as "Muttur" See Link to GDA Perera's article under "Sampur" . | මූදුතර, මෝදර |
| Mutuaripputurai (Mannaram) MOODUSIPPITHORA Colonial ruins | මූදුසිප්පිතර |
| Mylanthanai, மயிலந்த னை (Madakalapuva [Batticaloa]) MAHILATHAENNA 'Mahila' in sinhala is a tree, also known as 'Moonamal' when used in exorcisms etc in the low-country Sinhala areas. See discussion There is some ambiguity as it may refer to Mimusops elengi or to a small tree, Bauhinia racemosa, with jasmin-like flowers. See also under "Mahilavettuvaan'. This area was noted by the Dutch Governor Rycloff Van Goens as being "populated by the Kandyan King's subjects". Other related records are given in Dutch records, nos. 2507-2508, SL National Archives. Similarly, north-eastern villages were noted by 19th Century British administrators like Hugh Neville to be populated by Sinhala peasants, and changing to Tamil speaking populations coming to the interior from the coastal area. This is similar to demographic changes in Kaddukulampattu. (see entry there). Recently, this area has been subject to the ebb and flow of the civil war and the character of the population has changed. accordingly. | මහිලතැන්න |
| Myliddy,Mayiliddi, Mailiddi(Yapanaya [Jaffna]) MIRIDDA See entry under "Mailaddi, Mayiliddy, Myliddy" | මහලියද්ද මයිලැද්ද |
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