The name Polonnaruwa has evolved through centuries of conquest, devotion, and linguistic transformation. In ancient times, it was known as Pulastya Nagara or Pulathisipura, believed to be named after the Hindu sage Pulastya, one of the ten Prajapatis in Hindu mythology. The Chola dynasty, after invading Sri Lanka in the 10th century, renamed it Jananathapuram or Jananathamangalam, reflecting their Tamil heritage and religious influence.

Later, under Sinhalese rule, it became known as Vijayarajapura, in honor of King Vijayabahu I, who liberated the city from Chola control and established it as the capital of a unified Sri Lanka in 1070 AD. The name Polonnaruwa as we know it today is believed to be a contraction or evolution of these earlier names, though its exact etymology remains a subject of scholarly debate.

As of the most recent data, Polonnaruwa District has a population of approximately 408,821 residents. The ethnic composition is predominantly Sinhalese (82.9%), followed by Sri Lankan Moors (15.8%), with smaller communities of Sri Lankan Tamils, Indian Tamils, Burghers, and Malays.

The median age is around 30.1 years, with a nearly even gender split—50.5% female and 49.5% male. The population is largely rural, with strong ties to agriculture, religious life, and cultural preservation. The district is divided into seven Divisional Secretariat Divisions and nearly 300 Grama Niladhari Divisions, reflecting a decentralized yet cohesive administrative structure4.