Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardana said that he had informed yesterday (02 Feb) the officials that the English name “Slave Island” should be changed to “Kompannavidiya” immediately.
He stated that the decision to change the name was made to coincide with the 75th anniversary of Independence Day.
He informed the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government to make appropriate amendments to change the name.
The name Slave Island was changed to make it easier to pronounce it in three languages (Sinhala, Tamil, and English).
The Postmaster General and the Municipal Council Commissioner have also been informed in this regard.
Although, the name Slave Island was used during the colonial period, the name ‘Kompannavidiya’ was used in the languages of Sinhala and Tamil.
source daily mirror