A landing place on the west coast of Sri Lanka. The wives brought from Madhurā for Vijaya and his companions landed there, hence the name (Mhv.vii.58; see Mhv.Trs.60, n.1). There landed also in later times Bhalluka, from South India (Mhv.xxv.79), the Damiḷā and others who invaded Sri Lanka (Mhv.xxxiii.39; Cv.lviii.14; Cv.xi.37; Cv.lxxxviii.63). It was probably the chief port for vessels plying between South India and Sri Lanka. Thus, it was from there that Sakkasenāpati embarked for the Paṇḍu country (Cv.lii.73), and there that the Paṇḍu king landed from Coḷa (Cv.liii.5). The expeditionary force of Vijayabāhu I embarked there for Coḷa (Cv.lx.34), as did the forces of Parakkamabāhu I under Laṅkāpura (Cv.lxxvi.83).

It was a convenient place for preparations to be made before advancing on the capital, or merely journeying there (thus Cv.lxviii.81; Cv.li.28). It was a place of strategic importance, and when Māgha and Jayabāhu invaded Sri Lanka, they set up fortifications there. Cv.lxxxiii.16.