Stories Behind the Names of Places in Sri Lanka: Badulla – By Nimal Sedera
Source : Dæhæna – June 2026
The town Badulla is in the Uva province and the District that includes Badulla is also known as Badulla District. This is a district with lands surrounded by mountains and therefore, the most scenic district in Sri Lanka. It is the home of great tea cultivation. The best of waterfalls are in Badulla. It is where the Sri Lankan rail road ends and is a great tourist destination.
Let us now see how the name Badulla came into being. “Badulla” is a name of naturally growing tree. These trees had been dominating the jungles of the area. Even today, it is said that there are plenty of trees in the jungles.
There is also a belief that the name Badulla was given to the area because the region historically flourished with dense bamboo groves and lush vegetation.
Another localised historical theory suggests the name evolved from Wadala, (වදල), an ancient Sinhala term used to describe an area heavily covered by the cooling shadows of large trees.
Image Source : wikipedia
Nimal Sedera
Dr. Nimal Sedera is a journalist, poet, motivational speaker and
an author of over 70 books.
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