Sin: මිනුවන්ගොඩ minuvangoḍa – Tam: மினுவந்கொட miṉuvankoṭa
‘Crown Jewel Village’ WP, Sri Lanka
From Sin: mini, ‘crown, gem’; barana, ‘ornament, jewel’ or ruwan, ‘gems, gold’; and goda, ‘village, hamlet’.
The Minuwangoda Urban Council website points out that the original name for this town was Minibharangoda, which metamorphosed into Miniruwangoda and then Minuwangoda – all names names suitably adorned with gems and jewellery.
The Council also has a story to tell of the 2ndC King of Udugampola who was ordered by the royal court to sacrifice seven princesses to save the town from a dam collapse.
The seven princesses, still dressed in their finest gold jewellery, were drowned and their jewellery was later found in the place which is known today as Minuwangoda.
For related place names see Sri Lanka Place names.
Last Errand in Minuwangoda Dennis Sylvester Hurd