 With historical links to Thai and Cambodian kingdoms Thunnalai may be name of South East Asian origin.Place names like Kaligai comes from the original invader's name of Kalinga Magha.Vallipuram (Sandy City) has a recorded history from the 2nd century BC, in the gold inscription of King Vasabha, where the local ruler is named as "Asagiri", a name confirmed in the Nelugala stone inscription (2nd century BC) as well.