Stories Behind the Names of Places in Sri Lanka: Nittambuwa – By Nimal Sedera

Stories Behind the Names of Places in Sri Lanka: Nittambuwa – By Nimal Sedera

Source : Dæhæna – September 2026

(Where the Man-Eating Nittaevo Lived)

Nittambuwa is a major town situated in the Gampaha District. Located on the Colombo–Kandy Road, Nittambuwa is a place where Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim people live.

It is also situated in an area that includes Buddhist places of worship such as the Attanagalla Rajamaha Viharaya and the Warana Cave Temple, as well as the historic Horagolla Bandaranaike Walawwa. Nittambuwa is also home to places of natural beauty such as the Deiiyan Panna Waterfall, Alawala Ella and Goraka Ella.

There is said to be one undisputed reason for the origin of the name Nittambuwa. Namely, it is believed that the name Nittambuwa was derived from the presence of a group of people known as the “Nittaevo,” who are said to have lived in this area.

A brief extract of information recorded in Wikipedia about the Nittaevo is quoted here in support of this explanation. “They were a tribal group that lived in Sri Lanka in ancient times. They are now considered to have completely disappeared from the earth. According to folklore, it can be concluded that they lived in Sri Lanka until the 19th century. They are believed to have lived with the Vedda people in earlier times. However, sources indicate that the Veddas were also responsible for their destruction.

The reason given was their alleged appetite for human flesh. Their victims were the Veddas who lived with them in the forests. Whenever they saw a Vedda alone, they would attack him, tear at his flesh with their sharp claws, kill him and eat his flesh.

The Nittaevo also stole food such as dried meat that the Veddas had hunted and left out to dry. Because of the immense harassment suffered by the Veddas at their hands, it is not surprising that hostility developed between the Veddas and the Nittaevo. Sources state that the Veddas eventually drove the
Nittaevo into a cave and set it on fire. Place names such as Nittawala and Nittambuwa, which are associated with them, have been cited as linguistic evidence for the legends concerning the Nittaevo. Although many people regard the concept of the Nittaevo as merely a myth, some argue that it cannot be completely dismissed.

There is also information that other places in Sri Lanka were named in connection with the Nittaevo because they were believed to have lived there, just as Nittambuwa was named. It is said that the name “Nittawala” also has the same story behind it.

I quote below some information I obtained from the internet about the Nittaevo people, because I hope that the curiosity I felt while reading about them will also arise in the minds of those who read this article.

“The Nittaevo (Nittaevan) are described as a mysterious primitive human group believed to have lived in the forests of Sri Lanka in ancient times and are now considered to have become completely extinct.

They are said to have maintained hostile and isolated relations with the indigenous Vedda people of Sri Lanka. According to folklore, the Veddas used traps to completely destroy them.”

Nimal Sedera
Dr. Nimal Sedera is a journalist, poet, motivational speaker and an author of over 70 books.