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Velanai (Tamil: வேலணை; Sinhala: වේලනෛයි) is a small village in Velanai Island off the coast of Jaffna Peninsula in the North of Sri Lanka.[1][2]

Velanai வேலணை වේලනෛයි
Village
Velanai Show map of Northern Province Velanai Show map of Sri Lanka
Coordinates: 9°40′0″N 79°52′0″E
Country	Sri Lanka
Province	Northern
District	Jaffna

The majority of the people are Hindus along with a minority of Christians. There are number of Hindu temples along with few churches. The village is also served by a dozen schools. Sir Vaithilingam Duraiswamy, a well known member of parliament during the British colonial period, and his son Yogendra Duraiswamy, a Hindu activist and well known diplomat, were born in Velanai.

Since 1983 Velanai has also been the scene of violence as part of the Sri Lankan civil war including the Allaipiddy massacre.[3][4]

Etymology

This section does not cite any sources. (September 2020)

The name Velanai is believed to have been derived from 2 terms combined into one word. The first phrase name of the Vel which means spear. The second phrase anai means ashore. It is believed that the god Murugan's spear landed ashore of this island. Hence the name Valani. God Murugan is worshiped as a popular god among all the peoples in Velanai.

History

Archaeological evidence

Received per-historic archaeological evidence of ancient life in Saatti (Tamil: சாட்டி) sea side^{[citation needed]} suggested that there was a well-organized civilization emerged in this island.

Geography and climate

Velani is located at 9.40°N 79.54°E / 9.40; 79.54. It is surrounded by the Palk Strait and at a distance of 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) south-west of Jaffna town. Though most of Velani district is a level plain and also has maximum elevation of 15 metres (49 ft) above mean sea level. The total area of this island is nearly 36 km2^{[citation needed]}.

Places of interest

1. Vangalavadi Murugan Temple
2. Saatti Sea side

Gallery

References

External links

• Velanai website
• Velanai website

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