Stories Behind Names of Places in Sri Lanka THAMBAVITA – By Dr Nimal Sedara
Source : Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – December 2023
There is a popular saying and a belief in the Sri Lankan community that the country will prosper under noble rulers where justice prevails. There is anothery saying “Rain God will bless the nation with timely rain when dedicated rulers govern”.
These beliefs and sayings are based on real life experiences of our people in the olden days. That is how rituals and a culture come to exist. Our history of the nation contributes to establish these beliefs with facts. A glaring example is from the period the great King Dutugemunu ruled the country. This is a period the nation thrived tremendously with economic, social and cultural development. There are reports of finding gold in the country and silver and gems in our soil to help his development work. The story behind the village we talk of is also linked to the period of the King Dutugemunu.
The word “Thamba” is for Bronze. “Thanbavita” is located in the Sabaragamuwa province in the Kegalle district. This was a remote village during the time of King Dutugemunu. People here lived simple lives happily engaged in agriculture. They came to the “Ovita”, the marshy land, to collect the green leaves “papa” for their daily food. It is then that some began to observe a different colour in the water
and the soil of the place.
Then they informed the village chief of there observations and the message was conveyed to the Korale and higherups . They investigated and got to know that it was nothing but BRONZE and the news reached the King. It is believed that this happened at the time the King was building “Ruvanveli maha seya”
The place was called ”Thamba Ovita” and over time it evolved to “Thambavita”.
By Dr Nimal Sedara
Dr. Sedera is a journalist, poet, motivational speaker and an author of over 70 books.
