Wikipedia:
List of islands of Sri Lanka
This is a partial list of islands off Sri Lanka.
The most prominent islets are around the Jaffna Peninsula. Both the Tamils and the Sinhalese have inhabited the populated islands around Jaffna jointly and generally harmoniously.
They are also historically important from a sociological point of view in that the sub group of minority Sri Lankan Tamils hailing from these islands suffered social discrimination by peninsular (Jaffna) Tamils and were known derogatively as Theevar.
Northern Province
- Mannar Island – Historically important entry point of Indian immigrants to Sri Lanka and merchants from India and Arabia and embarkation point of refugees from Sri Lanka to India
- Velanai – Known as Vajira Dvipa in Sinhalese and Leiden in Dutch.
- Pungutu Theevu – Known as Thiru Poongudi in Tamil and Punvangu Dvipa in Sinhalese, its usually referred to as Pungudutivu (as per Sri Lanka government records).
- Analai Theevu – Loosely translated as Heat Wave Island.
- Mandai Theevu – Loosely translated as Skull island; now occupied by the Sri Lankan Navy
- Nedun Theevu – Or Long Island, known as Delft in the Dutch language and generally referred to as such today by most Sri Lankans.
- Karai Theevu - Also spelled as 'Karaitivu'. Known as Kayts in Dutch and referred to as such by most Sri Lankans.
- Naina Theevu – Also known as Naga Dvipa in Sinhalese (translated as 'serpent island'), it is a renowned place of pilgrimage for both Tamil Hindus and Sinhalese Buddhists.
- Kachcha Theevu - India transferred ownership of this island to Sri Lanka in 1975. Kachchativu used to be used by fishers from both Sri Lanka and India. There are Catholic shrines on this island.[1]
- Eluvai Theevu - An uninhabited islet.
- Parati Theevu - An uninhabited islet
Eastern Province
- Sambal Theevu
- Karai Theevu
See also
External links
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