Sinhala and Sihalis
The English name Ceylon and a host of other related names all most likely trace their roots back to the Sanskrit Sinha ("lion"). With the Sanskrit Sinha as its root, Sinhala can be interpreted to mean "the blood of a lion". As lions are not native to Sri Lanka, Sinhala is most often taken to mean a lion-like man – i. e. a hero – presumably Vijaya's grandfather. The Pāli form of the Sanskrit Sinhala is Sihalam (pronounced Silam)'.
Read more about this topic: Names Of Sri Lanka