Slave Island changed to ‘Kompanna Vidiya’

• The name Slave Island was changed to make it easier to pronounce it in three languages 

 By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama  

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardana said yesterday that he had informed officials that the English name “Slave Island” should be changed to “Kompanna Vidiya” 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 ‘Kompanna Vidiya’ was used in the languages of Sinhala and Tamil. 

• The Postmaster General and the Municipal Council Commissioner have also been informed in this regard