Know the Etymology: 153
Place Name of the Day: Wednesday, 31 May 2017

Velaň-gaha-ulpata, Toṭilla-gas-ẹlla, Paṁburu-gas-vẹva, Nāla-gas-deṇiya, Habarala-gaha-landa

வெலங்க₃ஹ - உல்ப[த்]த, தொ[ட்]டிலக₃ஸ் - எ[æ]ல்ல, பம்பு₃றுக₃ஸ் - வெ[æ]வ, நாலக₃ஸ்-தெ₃ணிய, ஹப₃ரலக₃ஹ - லந்த
Velaň-gaha-ulpata, Toṭilla-gas-ẹlla, Paṁburu-gas-vẹva, Nāla-gas-deṇiya, Habarala-gaha-landa

Velaň+gaha+ulpata
Toṭilla+gas+ẹlla
Paṁburu+gas+vẹva
Nāla+gas+deṇiya
Habara+ala+gaha+landa

The spring in the locality of Velaň trees

The waterfall/ rapid/ hill stream in the locality of Toṭilla trees

The tank in the locality of Paṁburu shrubs or trees

The valley marsh found with Nāla reed

The low forest found with Habarala yam plants

Gaha1	tree, palm, shrub, reed, plant (Sinhala place names); tree (Sinhala, Clough); "Vṛkṣaya" (Sinhala, Sorata); = Gasa (singular), Gas (plural): tree in general (Sinhala, Clough); Gakṣa: tree (Sanskrit, CDIAL 3949); Gaccha: bush (Pali, CDIAL 3949); Vṛkṣa: tree (Sanskrit, Rig Vedic, CDIAL 12067); a tree, any tree bearing visible flowers and fruit, but also applied to any tree and other plants, often equal to wood, the trunk of a tree (Sanskrit, Rig Vedic, Monier Williams)
Gaha2	house (Sinhala, Clough, Sorata); house (Pali, Prakrit, CDIAL 4240); Giha: house (Prakrit, CDIAL 4240); Gṛha: house, habitation, home (Sanskrit, Rig Vedic, CDIAL 4240, Monier Williams)
Gas	tree, palm, shrub, reed, plant (Sinhala place names); small plant, "Kuḍā pẹḷệṭi"; tree, "Vṛkṣaya" (Sinhala, Sorata); Gas (plural), Gasa (singular): = Gaha (Sinhala, Clough). See box on Gaha 1
Velaň	also Velaňga: a tree yielding tough wood, Pterospermum suberifolium (Sinhala, Clough, Sorata; suberifolium: cork-leaved); Veṇṇāṅku: a tree, creamy-leaved lancewood, Pterospermum ruberifolium; also a tall tree, maple-leaved lancewood, Pterospermum acerifolium (Tamil, MTL); 1. Veḷ+nāṅku, Veṇ+nāṅku: Veḷ/ Veṇ: white; Nāṅku: tree of the Mesua family (Tamil, MTL); note Nākam/ Nāga meaning snake as well as the tree Mesua ferrea; 2. Veṇṇāntai: python, a mountain snake (Tamil, MTL, Winslow); Veḷḷāntai: = Veṇṇāntai (Tamil, Winslow, Kathiraiverpillai); note Mucalinda and Mucilinda meaning the tree Pterospermum suberifolium as well as the Nāga (serpent) noted in Buddhist mythology (Sanskrit, CDIAL 10177, Monier Williams; Mācuṇam: python, DED 4793);
Toṭilla	a tree, Spathodia indica, another tree, Bignonia indica, both bear long, hanging fruits compared to cradles (Sinhala, Clough); child's cot or swinging cradle, swing (Sinhala, Clough); Toṭila: Oroxylum indicum of the Bignoniaceæ family (Sinhala, Clough); "Enam gasa" (Sinhala, Sorata); Toṭili: child's cradle, something that could be hung, a kind of cot; "Ladaruvan hovana, Ellā-pẹddiya hẹki, yahan-vesesa" (Sinhala, Sorata); Toṭṭil: a tree, as in the place name Toṭṭil-aṭi in Caṅkāṉai, Jaffna, probably the same tree as in Sinhala (Eezham Tamil); from cradle, cot for an infant (Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, also cognates in Kodagu, Tulu, Telugu, DED 3486); 1. Related to trough; Toṭu 1: (verb) to dig, scoop out (Tamil, DED 3549, Akanāṉūṟu, 121: 4); Toṭṭi: water trough, tub, cistern (Tamil, DED 3484); 2. Related to suspension, Toṭu 2: (verb) to touch, be connected, to bind, fasten, enchain, tie (Tamil, DED 3480); Toṭutta: verb form of Toṭu; suspended as a swing, as a hanging nest of a kind of bird (Tamil, Caṅkam diction, Akanāṉūṟu, 20: 5-6; Kuṟuntokai, 374: 5-7); Toṭu+il > Toṭṭil: hanging or suspended bed (Tamil, as in Kaṭṭu+il > Kaṭṭil: carpentered bed)
Paṁburu	a plant, Atalantia missionis (Sinhala, Clough); Pamburu, Pamburu-doḍam (Sinhala, Sorata); this is a shrub or small tree of the citrus family; 1. Jambīra: citron tree (Sanskrit, Pali, CDIAL 5130); 2. Pappaḷi, Pappaḷi-mācu, Paṁpaḷi-mācu: Pomelo, a citrus tree bearing large, sour orange, Citrus decumana, (Tamil, MTL, etymology cited to Pampelmoes in Dutch); Atalantia missionis is called Kuruntu or Kāṭṭu-elumiccai in Tamil (see column 27)
Nālagas	from Nala-gas: a reed, Phragmites roxburghii (Sinhala, Clough); Nalā-gaha: panic grass (Sinhala, Clough); Nalā-taṇa: wild sugar-cane, Saccharum spontaneum (Sinhala, Clough); Nāla: hollow or tubular stalk (Sinhala, Clough); Naḷa, Nala: reed (Pali, CDIAL 6936); Naḍā, Naḷā: a species of reed (Sanskrit, possible contact with Dravidian cited, CDIAL 6936); Naḷḷu, Nānal: a kind of reed (Kannada, DED 2909); Nāṇal: a large and coarse grass (Tamil, DED 2909)
Habaraḷa	also Sabaraḷa: a tuberous cultivated plant with ornamental leaves, Colacasia antiquorum, Alocasia macrorhizon (Sinhala, Clough); the plant is also a wild yam, indigenous to the region and is called Cēmpu in Tamil (Caṅkam literature notes it in the context of hill tribes, Kuṟuntokai, 76: 3); Habara+aḷa; literally, the hunter's yam or the savage's yam (Sinhala, Ala: yam); Habara, Sabara, Savara: aboriginal hunter, archer, savage (Sinhala, Clough); Sabara, Savara: name of a wild mountain tribe in the Deccan (Sanskrit, CDIAL 12296); Savara: an aboriginal tribe (Pali, Prakrit, CDIAL 12296)
Ulpata	spring of water, fountain (Sinhala, Clough). See column 238
Ẹlla	waterfall, rapid, hill stream of high gradient (Sinhala, Clough, Sorata). See column 38
Vẹva	lake, pond, tank, reservoir, (Sinhala, Clough). See column 34
Deṇiya	a narrow river valley that is cultivated, muddy ground or marshy ground between high grounds (Sinhala, Clough App., Codrington, Sorata). See column 277
Landa	place or high ground found with low jungle (Sinhala, Clough, Sorata). See column 210

* * *

Gaha and Gas/ Gasa in Sinhala mean tree in general, but the range is very wide. From a huge timber tree to a small plant, the terms could also mean a palm, shrub, cane, reed, yam etc., as seen in the place name examples.

The etymology is traced to Gakṣa in Sanskrit meaning tree, and in turn to Vṛkṣha in Sanskrit meaning tree and also other plants (CDIAL 3949, 12067, Monier Williams).

Gaha in Sinhala could also mean a house, related to the word meaning the same in Pali and Prakrit. The etymology is traced to Gṛha in Sanskrit, meaning house, habitation or home (CDIAL 4240). Gaha seems to have been used in this shade of meaning in a few Sinhala place names (see examples under related place names).

* * *

Velaň and Velaňga in Sinhala mean the tree Pterospermum suberifolium. The Pterospermum species of trees are known as Veṇṇāṅku in Tamil (note the possibility of Ṇ/ L change).

MTL notes the etymology of Veṇṇāṅku as Veḷ/ Veṇ+nāṅku, literally meaning white Nāṅku, and notes Nāṅku as a term for the Mesua family of trees (Mesua ferrea is Nāka/ Nāga in Tamil and Sinhala).

Note the possible connections between Mucalinda/ Mucilinda in Sanskrit meaning Pterospermum suberifolium as well as a Nāga (serpent) noted in Buddhist mythology, and Veṇṇāṅku in Tamil meaning the Pterospermum species and literally meaning white Nāga. Also note Veṇṇāntai/ Veḷḷāntai meaning python or large mountain snake in Tamil and Mācuṇam also meaning the same in Tamil/ Dravidian (DED 4793).

* * *

All the species of trees having the name Toṭilla/ Toṭila is Sinhala are noted for their conspicuously hanging, long fruits.

Obviously the tree names are related to Toṭilla and Toṭili in Sinhala meaning a child's cradle or anything that is suspended, and in turn are related to Toṭṭil meaning a child's cradle in Tamil/ Dravidian (DED 3486).

Toṭṭil comes from the verb Toṭu in Tamil/ Dravidian: one etymon of which means to dig (related to trough-like object like a cradle or cot), and another etymon of which means to fasten or be suspended (like a swing, cradle, hanging nest etc). Both the verb etymons (DED 3548, 3480) are meaningful in explaining the etymology of Toṭṭil in Tamil and Toṭilla/ Toṭili in Sinhala (see box on Toṭilla)

* * *

Toṭṭil meaning a hanging cloth-cradle:

"கிடக்கில் தொட்டில் கிழிய உதைத்திடும்" (பெரியாழ்வார், 1: 1: 9)

"Kiṭakkil toṭṭil kiḻiya utaittiṭum" (Periyāḻvār, 1: 1: 9)

The child (Kaṇṇaṉ/ Kriṣna) if lying down, would kick the cloth-cradle with such a force to tear it


The verb Toṭu (from one etymon) meaning to dig:

"நிலம் தொட்டுப் புகார் வானம் ஏறார்" (குறுந்தொகை, 130: 1)

"Nilam toṭṭup pukār vāṉam ēṟār" (Kuṟuntokai, 130: 1)

(My lover) would not dig the earth to go down nor would he ascend to the sky


The verb Toṭu (from another etymon) meaning to hang or suspend:

"தூக்கணங் குரீ-இ நீடு இரும் பெண்ணைத் தொடுத்த கூடு" (குறுந்தொகை, 374: 5-7)

"Tūkkaṇaṅ kurī-i nīṭu irum peṇṇait toṭutta kūṭu" (Kuṟuntokai, 374: 5-7)

The nest of the Tūkkaṇam bird built to suspend from the leaf of the tall and dark palmyra palm


"Ñāḻal…toṭutta…vīḻ kayiṟṟu ūcal"

"ஞாழல்…தொடுத்த…வீழ் கயிற்று ஊசல்"

The hanging-roped swing, tied or suspended on the Ñāḻal tree

* * *

Paṁburu meaning a wild species of citrus in Sinhala may be related to Jambīra in Sanskrit meaning citron tree, or to Pampaḷi, coming from the Dutch word Pampelmoes, meaning a citrus tree bearing large sour fruit. Paṁbuṟu is called Kuruntu or Kāṭṭu Elumiccai in Tamil.

Nāla meaning hollow or tubular stalk, also being prefix to certain kinds of reed or grass in Sinhala, has the cognates Naḷa, Naḷā and Naḍā in Indo-Aryan and Naḷḷu and Nāṇal in Dravidian. See box on Nālagas.

The etymology of Habarala meaning a kind of yam in Sinhala may be related Habara/ Sabara meaning the aboriginal tribe of hunters. See box.

See columns noted in the relevant boxes for the etymology of the other terms coming in this column.

* * *

Velaṅ-gaha-ulpata is a place in Horowpothana division of Anuradhapura district.

Totilla-gas-ẹlla is in Minipe division of Kandy district.

Paṁburu-gas-vẹva is a place name found in Gomarankadawala division of Trincomalee district.

Nāla-gas-deṇiya is in Hikkaduwa division of Galle district.

Habarala-gaha-landa is in Kalutara division of Kalutara district.

* * *

Some related place names:

Velaň:

Velaň-golla: Dambulla, Matale; polpithigama, Kurunegala

Velaň-gaha-vatta: Rattota, Matale

Velan-hinna: Haputale, Badulla; Imbulpe, Ratnapura

Velaň-viṭa: Haldummulla, Badulla

Velan-galla: Dehiovita, Kegalle

* * *

Toṭilla/ Toṭila:

Toṭilla-gaha-vatta: Divulapitiya, Gampaha

Toṭilla-kẹṭiya: Bibile, Moneragala

* * *

Toṭṭil: (Tamil)

Toṭṭilaṭi: Toṭṭil+aṭi: a locality in Caṅkāṉai, Jaffna. Toṭṭil: 1. a tree, probably the same as Toṭilla in Sinhala, as the Aṭi suffix in place names is commonly associated with tree names; 1. Toṭṭil: water trough, cistern (Tamil, MTL cites Jaffna diction; from Toṭṭi)

* * *

Nāla:

Nāla-paha: Minuwangoda, Gampaha

Nala-vana: Welipitiya, Matara

Nala-gama: Tangalle, Hampantota

Nāla-valāna: Pannala, Kurunegala

* * *

Habarala:

Habaraḷu-vẹva: Sevanagala, Moneragala

* * *

Gas:

Masaṅ-gas-vīdiya: Colombo, Colombo

Mī-gas-mulla: Homagama, Colombo

Jambu-gas-mulla: Maharagama, Colombo

Tiṁbiri-gas-yāya: Thimbirigasyaya, Colombo; Wattala, Gampaha

Tiṃbiri-gas-kaṭuva: Katana, Gampaha

Hora-gas-mulla: Divulapitiya, Gampaha

Gas-pē: Mirigama, Gampaha

Iṁbul-gas-ōviṭa: Mirigama, Gampaha

Pẹpol-gas-deṇiya: Gampaha, Gampaha. Pẹpol: papaw tree, Carica papaya (Sinhala, Clough)

Tal-gas-moṭē: Attanagalla, Gampaha

Tal-gas-vatta: Dompe, Gampaha

Kōn-gas-deṇiya: Attanagalla, Gampaha

Kōn-gas-tẹnna: Bulathsinhala, Kalutara

Sapu-gas-tẹnna: Attagalla, Gampaha

Sapu-gas-kanda: Biyagama, Gampaha

Kaju-gas-vatta: Dompe, Gampaha

Aṁba-gas-piṭiya: Mahara, Gampaha

Doṁba-gas-kanda: Ingiriya, Kalutara

Para-gas-toṭa: Millaniya, Kalutara

Milla-gas-pola: Millaniya, Kalutara

Kaduru-gas-mulla: Beruwala, Kalutara

Tal-gas-goḍa: Mathugama, Kalutara

Del-gas-yāya: Thumpane, Kandy

Damuṇu-gas-tẹnna: Thumpane, Kandy. Damunu: Boralu-damunu-gasa (Sinhala, Sorata; Boraḷu-damunu: a plant, sort of Calyptranthes (Sinhala, Clough)

Kahaṭa-gas-tẹnna: Pujapitiya, Kandy

Del-gas-goḍa: Akurana, Kandy

Del-gas-tẹnna: Akurana, Kandy

Varā-gas-hinna: Akurana, Kandy

Īriya-gas-tẹnna: Pathadumbara, Kandy

Toṭilla-gas-ẹlla: Minipe, Kandy

Del-gas-landa: Kundasale, Kandy

Bō-gas-kuṁbura: Kundasale, Kandy

Siyaṁbalā-gas-tẹnna: Kandy Four Gravets, Kandy

Kaṭu-gas-toṭa: Harispattuwa, Kandy

Nāraň-gas-kuṁbura: Harispattuwa, Kandy

Nāraň-gas-piṭiya: Hatharaliyadda, Kandy

Mī-gas-tẹnna: Hatharaliyadda, Kandy

Aṁba-gas-tẹnna: Udunuwara, Kandy

Nāraň-gas-tẹnna: Pathahewaheta, Kandy

Kara-gas-kaḍa: Deltota, Kandy

Hapu-gas-piṭiya: Udapalatha, Kandy

Milla-gas-piṭiya: Udapalatha, Kandy

Makuḷu-gas-vẹva: Galewela, Matale

Baṁbara-gas-vẹva: Galewela, Matale

Divul-gas-koṭuva: Galewela, Matale

Geḍi-gas-valāna: Dambulla, Matale

Hapu-gas-yāya: Naula, Matale

Mora-gas-piṭiya: Pallepola, Matale

Doḍam-gas-yāya: Pallepola, Matale

Tal-gas-yāya: Matale, Matale

Divul-gas-patana: Laggala-Pallegama, Matale

Veraḷu-gas-tẹnna: Rattota, Matale

Doṁba-gas-deṇiya: Ukuwela, Matale

Kara-gas-talāva: Kothmale, Nuwara Eliya

Hapu-gas-talāva: Kothmale, Nuwara Eliya

Doṁba-gas-talāva: Kothmale, Nuwara Eliya

Hapu-gas-deṇiya: Hanguranketha, Nuwara Eliya

Rikilla-gas-kaḍa: Hanguranketha, Nuwara Eliya. Rikilla: (singular); Rikili: (plural) twigs, small branches of tree (Sinhala, Clough); in this case of place name, probably a forest to collect twigs for firewood

Hệ-gas-ulla: Walapane, Nuwara Eliya

Mayila-gas-tẹnna: Walapane, Nuwara Eliya

Aṁba-gas-piṭiya: Walapane, Nuwara Eliya

Mā-gas-toṭa: Nuwara Eliya, Nuwara Eliya

Dehi-gas-tẹnna: Ambagamuwa, Nuwara Eliya

Pẹlệ-gas-paḷāta: Balapitiya, Galle. Pẹlệ: probably from Pẹla: small plant, "Kuḍāgasa" (Sorata)

Mī-gas-piṭiya: Karandeniya, Galle

Beli-gas-vella: Karandeniya, Galle

Uṇa-gas-vela: Karandeniya, Galle

Tala-gas-pē: Elpitiya, Galle

Tal-gas-vala: Nagoda, Galle; Ambalangoda, Galle

Mali-gas-pē: Galle Four Gravets, Galle. Mali: probably, Maligiya: jasmine (Clough); Malita: a beautiful flowering shrub with permanent red calyx, Woodfordia floribunda or Grislea tomentosa, colloquially called Mayila (Clough)

Tal-gas-yāya: Ahmeemana, Galle

Kaduru-gas-hēna: Akmeemana, Galle

Ẹṭaṁba-gas-mulla: Akmeemana, Galle

Hal-gas-mulla: Akmeemana, Galle

Ūra-gas-goḍa: Habaraduwa, Galle. Ūra-gas: probably, Ūrala: a kind of yam, Cuclamen indicum (Clough); "Bimtal-ala" (Sorata)

Dehi-gas-pa: Pitabedara, Matara

Ug-gas-hēna: Athuraliya, Matara

Namaḍa-gas-vẹva: Sooriyawewa, Hambantota. Namaḍa: probably, Namaḍi, Namuḍu, Namuḍi: Cratæva roxburghii, "Luṇuvaraṇa" (Clough); Namańḍa-ruk, Namuḍu: "Luṇuvaraṇa-gas" (Sorata); Namuńḍu: "Nika-gasa" (Sorata);

Kẹnda-gas-maňkaḍa: Lunugamvehera, Hambantota

Andara-gas-yāya: Thissamaharama, Hambantota

Bella-gas-vẹva: Hambantota, Hambantota

Siyaṁbalā-gas-vila: Hambantota, Hambantota

Liyan-gas-toṭa: Ambalantota, Hambantota

Kohoṁba-gas-vẹva: Angunakolapelessa, Hambantota

Vīra-gas-vẹva: Angunakolapelessa, Hambantota

Mī-gas-āra: Weeraketiya, Hambantota

Yak-gas-mulla: Weeraketiya Hambantota. Yak: devil, spirit; in the context of the place name, probably a tree haunted by a spirit or devil; or probably a tree as in Yakṣa-vṛikṣa: the Buḷu tree, Terminalia belerica, supposed to be the favourite haunt of spirits and demons; Yak-erabadu: Erythrina ovafolia etc.

Aṁba-gas-āra: Katuwana, Hambantota

Muruň-gas-yāya: Katuwana, Hambantota

Kōn-gas-tẹnna: Katuwana, Hambantota

Puvak-gas-āra: Katuwana, Hambantota

Baṭa-gassa: Walasmulla, Hambantota

Aṁba-gas-deniya: Beliatta, Hambantota

Ẹhẹṭu-gas-vẹva: Manalaru, Mullaiththeevu

Pulun-gas-mulla: Padiyathalawa, Ampara

Kahata-gas-yāya: Uhana, Ampara

Kōn-gas-valayā-gama: Rasnayakapura, Kurunegala

Mora-gas-vẹva: Maho, Kurunegala; Hingurakgoda, Polonnaruwa

Aṁba-gas-vẹva: Maho, Kurunegala; Polpithigama, Kurunegala

Palu-gas-vẹva: Palugaswewa, Anuradhapura; Maho, Kurunegala; Panduwasnuwara West, Kurunegala; Medawachchiya, Anuradhapura; Thalawa, Anuradhapura

Sēru-gas-yāya: Polpithigama, Kurunegala

Mī-gas-vẹva: Polpithigama, Kurunegala

Kara-gas-vẹva: Wariyapola, Kurunegala

Kahaṭa-gas-vẹva: Kobeigane, Kurunegala

Araḷu-gas-vẹva: Kobeigane, Kurunegala

Hora-gas-agāra: Bingiriya, Kurunegala

Mī-gas-piṭiya: Panduwasnuwara West, Kurunegala

Divul-gas-piṭiya: Bamunukotuwa, Kurunegala

Kōn-gas-vala: Mawathagama, Kurunegala

Para-gas-vẹva: Rideegama, Kurunegala

Doḍaň-gas-landa: Rideegama, Kurunegala

Tal-gas-piṭiya: Rideegama, Kurunegala

Siyaṁbalā-gas-koṭuva: KUliyapitiya East, Kurunegala

Gahala-gas-vala: Udubaddawa, Kurunegala. Gahala: a yam, Colocasia antiquorum (Clough); "Alajātiyak" (Sorata)

Siyaṁbalā-gas-ruppa: Udubaddawa, Kurunegala

Karuvala-gas-vẹva: Karuwalagaswewa, Puttalam; Galgamuwa, Kurunegala. Karuvala: = Kaḷuvara: = Kaḷu-kihiri-gasa (Sinhala, Sorata); Karu-vēl: Black babul, Acacia arabica (Tamil, MTL)

Mūnamal-gas-vẹva: Karuwalagaswewa, Puttalam

Palu-gassē-gama: Karuwalagaswewa, Puttalam

Daň-gas-vẹva: Karuwalagaswewa, Puttalam; Mahakumkukkadawala, Puttalam

Rat-mal-gas-vẹva: Mahakumbukkadawala, Puttalam

Tal-gas-vẹva: Anaimadu, Puttalam

Siyaṁbalā-gas-hēna: Anaimadu, Puttalam

Kōn-gas-yāya: Madampe, Puttalam

Ińdi-gas-vila: Madampe, Puttalam

Lōlu-gas-vẹva: Medawachchiya, Anuradhapura; Galnewa, Anuradhapura

Uṇa-gas-vẹva: Medawachchiya, Anuradhapura

Hẹlaṁba-gas-vẹva: Medawachchiya, Anuradhapura; Nuwaragam Palatha, Anuradhapura

Gambiri-gas-vẹva: Nuwaragam Palatha, Anuradhapura; Hingurakgoda, Polonnaruwa; Gambiri: probably, Gambhāri: a tree, Gmelina arborea, Ẹt-demaṭa (Clough)

Kaduru-gas-damana: Rambewa, Anuradhapura

Kolon-gas-vẹva: Rambewa, Anuradhapura. Kōla: Ḍebaragasa (Sorata)

Nabaḍa-gas-vẹva: Rambewa, Anuradhapura

Kahaṭa-gas-digiliya: Kahatagasdigiliya, Anuradhapura

Kohoṁba-gas-kaḍa: Kahatagasdigiliya

Mayila-gas-vẹva: Galenbindunuwewa, Anuradhapura; Kekirawa, Anuradhapura

Karuvala-gas-vẹva: Galenbindunuwewa, Anuradhapura; Thirappane, Anuradhapura; Galnewa, Anuradhapura

Tal-gas-vẹva: Nochchiyagama, Anuradhapura

Hurī-gas-vẹva: Thambuttegama, Anuradhapura. Hurī seems to be a tree as there is another place name Hurī-golla in Akurana, Kandy. The identity of the tree couldn't be ascertained.

Mī-gassaệ-gama: Thalawa, Anuradhapura

Kīriya-gas-vẹva: Kekirawa, Anuradhapura

Ẹṁbul-gas-vẹva: Kekirawa, Anuradhapura

Aṁba-gas-vẹva: Palagala, Anuradhapura; Medirigiriya, Anuradhapura

Nāraň-gas-vẹva: Palagala, Anuradhapura

Mī-gas-vẹva: Medirigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura

Bō-gas-vẹva: Dimbulagala, Polonnaruwa

Palu-gas-damana: Thamankaduwa, Polonnaruwa

Aṁba-gas-dōva: Soranathota, Badulla; Uva Paranagama, Badulla

Maḍu-gas-talāva: Passara, Badulla

Kara-gas-tẹnna: Welimada, Badulla

Divul-gas-mulla: Haldummulla, Badulla

Kolon-gas-tẹnna: Haldummulla, Badulla

Arāṭu-gas-vela: Madulla, Moneragala. Araṭu: hard part of a tree (Clough); the place name probably means a forest of hard-wooded trees; Karaṭu: roughness (Tamil, DED 1265); Karaḍu: hard (Kannada, DED 1265);

Ińdi-gas-ẹlla: Siyambalanduwa, Moneragala

Mayila-gas-tẹnna: Badalkumbura, Moneragala

Maḍu-gas-mulla: Badalkumbura, Moneragala

Hapu-gas-tẹnna: Ratnapura, Ratnapura

Kara-gas-talāva: Imbulpe, Ratnapura

Dehi-gas-talāva: Balangoda, Ratnapura

Doṁba-gas-vinna: Pelmadulla, Ratnapura

Bambara-gas-tẹnna: Godakawela, Ratnapura

Kōn-gas-tẹnna: Weligepola, Ratnapura

Tala-gas-kanda: Weligepola, Ratnapura

Iṁbul-gas-deniya: Rambukkana, Kegalle

Tal-gas-piṭiya: Aranayaka, Kegalle

Jambu-gas-maḍa: Aranayaka, Kegalle

Mī-gas-tẹnna: Yatiyanthota, Kegalle

Pol-gas-vatta: Deraniyagala, Kegalle

* * *

Gaha 1:

Kaju-gaha-vatta: Kolonnawa, Colombo

Doḍam-gaha-hēna: Kolonnawa, Colombo

Rag-gaha-vatta: Kaduwela, Colombo. Rag-gaha: probably Ruk+gaha; see Rug-gaha-tẹnna

Kasa-gaha-vatta: Katana, Gampaha. Kasa-gaha: a tree, Casuarina equisitifolia (Clough). The tree is not native to the island. It has long, hanging, hair-like leaves; Kasa: whip (Sinhala, Clough); Kacai: whip (Tamil, MTL, usage seen after 13 the century CE); Kasā: whip (Sanskrit, Rig Vedic, CDIAL 2965)

Hal-gaha-wela-vatta: Divulapitiya, Gampaha

Hapu-gaha-gama: Divulapitiya, Gampaha

Toṭilla-gaha-vatta: Divulapitiya, Gampaha

Paḷu-gaha-vela: Divulapitiya, Gampaha; Weligepola, Ratnapura

Hapu-gaha-gedara: Mirigama, Gampaha

Utu-wan-bō-gaha-vatta: Mirigama. Gampaha

Del-gaha-mẹḍilla: Mirigama, Gampaha

Aṁba-gaha-vatta: Minuwangoda, Gampaha; Bope-Poddala, Galle

Gōn-gaha: Gampaha, Gampaha

Buḷu-gaha-goḍa: Gampaha, Gampaha

Bō-gaha-vatta: Dompe, Gampaha; Bandaragama, Kalutara; Bulathsinhala, Kalutara; Balapitiya, Galle

Ẹṭaṁba-ḡaha-vatta: Dompe, Gampaha. Ẹṭaṁba: wild mango (Clough)

Mī-gaha-vatta: Dombe, Gampaha; Kelaniya, Gampaha; Biyagama, Gampaha

Daň-gaha-vela: Mahara, Gampaha

Kara-gaha-muṇa: Mahara, Gampaha

Mī-gaha-kuṁbura: Bulathsinhala, Kalutara

Nig-gaha: Bulathsinhala, Kalutara. Nika-gaha

Goḍa-para-gaha-hēna: Kalutara, Kalutara. Goḍa-para: a timber tree, Dillenia retusa (Clough)

Aḷubō-gaha-landa: Kalutara, Kalutara. Aḷubō: a tree, Eugenia sylvestris (Clough)

Kaṭu-Kuruńdu-gaha-landa: Beruwala, Kalutara

Kẹnda-gaha-wila: Beruwala, Kalutara

Sapu-gaha-vatta: Dodangoda, Kalutara

Nuga-gaha-landa: Mathugama, Kalutara

Kẹppeṭiya-gaha-landa: Mathugama, Kalutara.

Māra-gaha-deṇiya: Palindunuwara, Kalutara. 1. Mārā-gasa: a tree, = Madaṭiya, Adenanthera pavonina (Clough); 2. Māra: = Attana, thorn apple (Clough)

Mī-gaha-tẹnna: Walallavita, Kalutara

Mī-gaha-hēna: Thumpane, Kandy; Mahiyanganaya, Badulla

Aṁba-gaha-hēna: Thumpane, Kandy; Katuwana, Hambantota

Ug-gaha-kuṁbura: Pujapitiya, Kandy

Telaṁbu-gaha-vatta: Akurana, Kandy

Kurudu-gaha-ẹḷa: Akurana, Kandy. Kurudu: Kuruńdu

Bō-gaha-Kuṁbura: Pathadumbara, Kandy

Dī-gaha-vatura: Pathadumbara, Kandy

Puwak-gaha-deṇiya: Pathadumbara, Kandy

Līma-gaha-deṇiya: Pathadumbara, Kandy. Līma-dehi: a variety of lime tree, Citrus limetta (Clough)

Daṁba-gaha-piṭiya: Udadumbara, Kandy

Daṁba-gaha-vela: Minipe, Kandy

Aṁba-gaha-pẹlẹssa: Minipe, Kandy

Mī-gaha-maḍitta: Medadumbara, Kandy

Aṁba-gaha-landa: Medadumbara, Kandy

Mora-gaha-mula: Medadumbara, Kandy

Baṁbara-gaha-deṇiya: Medadumbara, Kandy

Mī-gaha-landa: Medadumbara, Kandy

Kuruńdu-gaha-maḍa: Harispattuwa, Kandy

Bō-gaha-kanda: Harispattuwa, Kandy

Liyan-gaha-vatta: Udunuwara, Kandy

Muruta-gaha-mula: Udunuwara, Kandy

Pol-gaha-aňga: Udunuwara, Kandy

Del-gaha-piṭiya: Udunuwara, Kandy

Milla-gaha-mula: Doluwa, Kandy

Kos-gaha-hinna: Galewela, Matale

Nabaḍa-gaha-vatta: Galewela, Matale

Siyaṁbalā-gaha-vela: Galewela, Matale

Ratmal-gaha-Ẹḷa: Dambulla, Matale

Kalō-gaha-Ẹḷa: Dambulla, Kandy

Baṁbara-gaha-vatta: Naula, Matale

Hẹḷaṁba-gaha-vatta: Naula, Matale

Mī-gaha-Eḷa: Naula, Matale

Kūṁbiyan-gaha-ẹḷa: Naula, Matale. Kūṁbi: = Kuhumbu: = Kuṁbagasa (Sorata); mast?

Milla-gaha-mula-tẹnna: Naula, Matale

Kōn-gaha-wela: Naula, Matale

Mora-gaha-maḍa: Naula, Matale

Habara-gaha-maḍa: Naula, Matale. 1: Sabara: a timber tree, Barrintonia racemosa (Sinhala, Clough); 2. See Habarala-gaha-landa

Nā-gaha-pola: Pallepola, Matale

Tal-gaha-goḍa: Yatawatta, Matale

Mora-gaha-maḍa: Matale, Matale

Makul-gaha-ruppa: Matale, Matale

Bō-gaha-koṭuwa: Matale, Matale

Kara-gaha-vẹva: Wilgamuwa, Matale; Thalawa, Anuradhapura

Bō-gaha-vẹva: Wilgamuwa, Matale; Lunugamvehera, Hambantota; Padaviya, Anuradhapura; Nochchiyagama, Anuradhapura

Mora-gaha-ulpata: Wilgamuwa, Matale

Velan-gaha-vatta: Rattota, Matale

Hora-gaha-piṭiya: Ukuwela, Matale

Nā-gaha-tẹnna: Ukuwela, Matale; Elpitiya, Galle

Para-gaha-vela: Ukuwela, Matale

Kara-gaha-hinna: Ukuwela, Matale

Kos-gaha-patana: Kothmale, Matale

Kara-gaha-yaṭa-tẹnna: Kothmale, Matale

Bō-gaha-wela: Kothmale, Matale

Bō-gaha-landa: Hanguranketha, Nuwara Eliya

Del-gaha-piṭiya: Hanuguranketha, Nuwara Eliya

Kos-gaha-debala: Hanguranketha, Nuwara Eliya

Buḷu-gaha-piṭiya: Hanguranketha, Nuwara Eliya

Aṁba-gaha-tẹnna: Walapane, Nuwara Eliya

Mugana-gaha-piṭiya: Walapane, Nuwara Eliya

Hapu-gaha-piṭiya: Walapane, Nuwara Eliya

Sūriya-gaha-patana: Walapane, Nuwara Eliya

Bō-gaha-vatta: Nuwara Eliya, Nuwara Eliya

Milla-gaha-mula: Ambagamuwa, Nuwara Eliya

Doṁba-gaha-vatta: Bentota, Galle

Ūra-gaha: Bentota, Galle

Bō-gaha-piṭiya: Balapitiya, Galle; Kuliyapitiya East, Kurunegala

Para-gaha-toṭa: Balapitiya, Galle

Hal-gaha-vella: Karandeniya, Galle

Tal-gaha-vatta: Karandeniya, Galle

Daň-gaha-vila: Karandeniya, Galle

Diviya-gaha-vela: Karandeniya, Galle

Kuruńdu-gaha-Hẹtẹkma: Karandeniya, Galle

Pol-gaha-vila: Baddegama, Galle

Gini-mẹlla-gaha: Baddegama, Galle. Mẹlla: a plant peculiar to the island, Olax zeylanica (Clough)

Tani-pol-gaha-ḷaṅga: Ambalangoda, Galle

Daṅgara-gaha: Gonapeenuwala, Galle

Īriya-gaha-mulla: Gonapeenuwala, Galle. Īriya: a forest tree, Myristica iriya

Kaḷuva-gaha: Gonapeenuwala, Galle. 1. Kaḷu: black, dark; prefix to various trees and plants that are dark in colour; Kaḷuvā: a tuberous plant, kind of turmeric, Alpinia galanga (Clough); 2. Gaha could mean house in this place name

Del-gaha-dūva: Hikkaduwa, Galle

Siyaṁbalā-gaha-watta: Galle Four Gravets, Galle

Kōn-gaha: Galle Four Gravets, Galle

Aṁba-gaha-vila: Akmeemana, Galle

Yak-gaha: Akmeemana, Galle

Nā-gaha-vatta: Akmeemana, Galle

Bō-gaha-muḷu-goḍa: Habaraduwa, Galle

Mī-gaha-goḍa: Habaraduwa, Galle

Puwak-gaka-hēna: Pasgoda, Matara

Para-gaha-vatta: Akuressa, Matara

Val-bulu-gaha-hēna: Devinuwara, Matara

Mī-gaha-jadura: Sooriyawewa, Hambantota

Pol-gaha-vẹlẹna: Thissamaharama, Hambantota. Vẹlẹna: Vẹl+āna: paddy field place, bank-place or shore-place; Ān/ Āna: place, "Āyatanaya, Sthānaya" (Sorata)

Dehi-gaha-landa: Hambantota, Hambantota

Palu-gaha-goḍẹlla: Ambalantota, Hambantota

Kara-gaha-wala: Angunakolapelessa, Hambantota

Kaḷuva-gaha-yāya: Weeraketiya, Hambantota

Sapu-gaha-yāya: Katuwana, Hambantota

Riṭi-gaha-yāya: Katuwana, Hambantota. Riṭi: a tree, the inner bark of which is used in making sacks, Antiaris innoxia (Clough)

Dehi-gaha-hēna: Walasmulla, Hambantota

Kos-gaha-goḍa: Beliatta, Hambantota

Para-gaha-kẹlē: Ampara, Ampara

Aṁba-gaha-vẹlla: Ampara, Ampara

Mora-gaha-pallama: Damana, Ampara

Bakmī-gaha-vatta: Maho, Kurunegala

Karuvala-gaha-vatta: Maho, Kurunegala

Kos-gaha-Ẹḷa: Polpithigama, Kurunegala

Hińda-gaha-vẹva: Kobeigane, Kurunegala. Hińdi: = Ińdi (Sorata)

Aṁba-gaha-gedara: Panduwasnuwara West, Kurunegala

Kara-gaha-gedara: Panduwasnuwara West, Kurunegala; Kuliyapitiya East, Kurunegala

Tal-gaha-gama: Bamunukotuwa, Kurunegala

Demaṭa-gaha-pẹlẹssa: Maspotha, Kurunegala

Ẹṭa-gaha-vela: Mawathagama, Kurunegala

Para-gaha-deṇiya: Mawathagama, Kurunegala

Doḍan-gaha-koṭuva: Rideegama, Kurunegala

Kalu-gaha-tẹnna: Rideegama, Kurunegala

Baṁbara-gaha-kanda: Rideegama, Kurunegala

Mī-gaha-koṭuva: Kuliyapitiya West, Kurunegala

Kōn-gaha-gedara: Kuliyapitiya East, Kurunegala

Gahala-gas-vala: Udubaddawa, Kurunegala. Gahala: a yam, Colocasia antiquorum (Clough); "Alajātiyak" (Sorata)

Pol-gaha-Agāra: Udubaddawa, Kurunegala

Mī-gaha-pẹlẹssa: Udubaddawa, Kurunegala

Kuṁbuk-gaha-mulla: Udubaddawa, Kurunegala

Puwak-gaha-koṭuva: Narammala, Kurunegala

Pol-gaha-yāya: Narammala, Kurunegala

Divul-gaha-koṭuva: Alawwa, Kurunegala

Pol-gaha-vela: Alawwa, Kurunegala

Gorok-gaha-potta: Polgahawela, Kurunegala. Gorok: = Goraka, Garcinea cambogia (Clough)

Taraṇa-gaha-vẹva: Nawagattegama, Puttalam. Taraṇa: a shrub, Webera corymbosa (Clough)

Daň-gaha-vala: Mahakumbukkadawala, Puttalam

Mī-gaha-vela: Nattandiya, Puttalam; Opanayake, Ratnapura

Bulu-gaha-vẹva: Nattandiya, Puttalam

Nẹbaḍa-gaha-yāya: Nattandiya, Puttalam

Mī-gaha-vẹva: Nattandiya, Puttalam

Kaṇu-gaha-vẹva: Kebithigollewa, Anuradhapura. Kaṇu: milepost

Parasan-gaha-vẹva: Nuwaragam Palatha, Anuradhapura

Ilaňda-gaha-vẹva: Nuwaragam Palatha, Anuradhapura

Tal-gaha-vẹva: Rambewa, Anuradhapura

Aṁba-gaha-vẹva: Rambewa, Anuradhapura; Kahatagasdigiliya, Anuradhapura; Nochchiyagama, Anuradhapura

Ratmal-gaha-vẹva: Kahatagasdigiliya, Anuradhapura

Mora-gaha-vela: Kahatagasdigiliya, Anuradhapura

Velaň-gaha-ulpata: Horowpothana, Anuradhapura

Huruḷu-mī-gaha-paṭṭiya: Galenbindunuwewa, Anuradhapura. Huruḷu is the division name here

Bō-gaha-yāya: Mihintale, Anuradhapura

Māra-gaha-vẹva: Nochchiyagama, Anuradhapura

Kuṁbuk-gaha-vẹva: Thalawa, Anuradhapura

Idi-gaha-vẹva: Thirappane, Anuradhapura. Idi: Ińdi

Kahaṭa-gaha-piṭiya: Elahera, Polonnaruwa

Riṭi-gaha-arāva: Rideemaliyadda, Badulla

Karańda-gaha-maḍa: Meegahakivula, Badulla

Pol-gaha-arāva: Meegahakivula, Badulla

Kalu-gaha-kańdura: Meegahakivula, Badulla

Mī-gaha-kivula: Meegahakivula, Badulla

Tala-gaha-gedara: Passara, Badulla

Bō-gaha-maḍitta: Hali-Ela, Badulla

Kaṭu-gaha: Hali-Ela, Badulla

Kara-gaha-ulpata: Uva Paranagama, Badulla

Aṁba-gaha-kuṁbura: Welimada, Badulla

Bō-gaha-kuṁbura: Welimada, Badulla

Kara-gaha-vela: Bandarawela, Badulla; Bibile, Badulla

Liyan-gaha-vela: Bandarawela, Badulla

Liyan-gaha-vela-vatta: Bandarawela, Badulla

Kitul-gaha-arāva: Haldummulla, Badulla

Maraň-gaha-vela: Haldummulla, Badulla

Riṭi-gaha-vatta: Madulla, Moneragala

Pol-gaha-gama: Madulla, Moneragala

Kaḷu-gaha-vāḍiya: Medagama, Moneragala

Bakiṇi-gaha-vela: Medagama, Moneragala. Bakiṇi: Bakmī?

Pol-gaha-piṭiya: Medagama, Moneragala

Aṁba-gaha-piṭiya: Siyambalanduwa, Moneragala

Nuga-gaha-kivula: Siyambalanduwa, Moneragala

Domba-gaha-vela: Siyambalanduwa, Moneragala

Maḍu-gaha-paṭṭiya: Badalkumbura, Moneragala

Kaḷa-gaha-kivula: Badalkumbura, Moneragala

Mī-gaha-yāya: Badalkumbura, Moneragala

Bō-gaha-pẹlẹssa: Badalkumbura, Moneragala

Daṁba-gaha-vela: Badalkumbura, Moneragala

Kaṭu-gaha-galgē: Badalkumbura, Moneragala

Buḷu-gaha-piṭiya: Eheliyagoda, Ratnapura

Puvak-gaha-wela: Imbulpe, Ratnapura

Māmal-gaha: Imbulpe, Ratnapura

Kōn-gaha-maňkaḍa: Balangoda, Ratnapura

Veralu-gaha-mula: Godakawela, Ratnapura

Para-gaha-maḍitta: Weligepola, Ratnapura

Aṁba-gaha-yāya: Kolonna, Ratnapura

Kaṭu-gaha: Aranayaka, Kegalle. See Kaṭu-gaha-galgē

Bulu-gaha-deniya: Kegalle, Kegalle

Rug-gaha-tẹnna: Galgamuwa, Kegalle. Ruk: "Enam mahagasjātiya" (Sorata); Ruk-gasa: a tree peculiar to the island. It produces a very fragrant flower from its trunk, Myristica odorata or Horsfieldia odorata (Clough)

Tal-gaha-deṇiya: Warakapola, Kegalle

Kos-gaha-kanda: Deraniyagala, Kegalle

Velan-gaha-vatta: Rattota, Matale. See Velaṅ-gaha ulpata

* * *

Gaha 2: (probably meaning a house)

Mẹṭi-gaha-tẹnna: Luṇugala, Badulla

Pẹl-gaha-tẹnna: Passara, Badulla

Ōbaḍa-gaha-deniya: Katuwana, Hambantota. Ōbaḍa: riverbank, from Oya-baḍa

Vẹl-gaha-vāḍiya: Minipe, Kandy

Siran-gaha-vatta: Ambanganga Korale, Matale

Aṅguḷu-gaha: Imaduwa, Galle. Probably means a boathouse

Nava-gaha-Ẹla: Dimbulagala, Anuradhapura

Dīya-gaha: Matara Four Gravets, Matara

Akaran-gaha: Divulapitiya, Gampaha

Dūna-gaha: Divulapitiya, Gampaha. Dūn: "Dhūpanaya, Temparāduva" (Sorata)

* * *



* * *


Revised: Wednesday, 31 May 2017, 18:30

First published: Saturday, 14 August 2010, 23:56