Mannar district which belongs to the Northern Province of Sri Lanka consists of
an area that is part of the mainland and Mannar island – the largest islet in the
country. The road to Mannar is through the dry zone of Sri Lanka. The landscape
in Mannar district varies from wooded jungles to paddy fields and swaying palm
trees.

•  Mannar Island

Mannar Island is a dry and barren peninsula located in the district of Mannar. Though called an islet, it is in fact a peninsula formed in the shape of a tongue. Talaimannar, the westernmost tip of the island, is almost connected to the
Dhanuskodi, the easternmost tip of the peninsula of Southern India by a reef of
corals submerged in the Palk Straits. Apart from the thin strip of land that joins the peninsula to the mainland, Mannar
Island is also connected by the causeway over the shallow waters forming a 3 km
stretch of the A14 Madawachchiya –Talaimannar main road. The small fishing
port of Mannar is located on the south-eastern shore of the islet. Mannar Island has been referred historically by names such as “Manthei”, “Mathota”, Mahathiththa”, “Mahaputu” and “Mawatuthota”.

• TALAIMANNAR LIGHTHOUSE

A Beacon Between Two Countries
Situated approximately 30 kilometres from Mannar’s main town on Mannar
Island, the Talaimannar Lighthouse was built in the early 20th century, in the
year 1915. It stands at 19 meters tall, featuring a round cylindrical tower with a
painted white façade, topped with a lantern and gallery. It is attached to the
Thalaimannar Pier, which once served as the terminal of a ferry service to India. However, a cyclone in 1964 destroyed the terminal, and the route was
subsequently terminated. Today, all that remains of a connection to India is
Adam’s Bridge, a stretch of limestone shoals that begins at Mannar Island and
disappears under the water in the direction of Pamban Island in India. Mannar is one of the warmest places in Sri Lanka, and the island is connected to
the mainland via a 3-kilometre causeway. During ancient times, when Mannar’s
pearl fishery industry was booming, the town was known as one of the biggest
suppliers of pearls in the world. Kings and queens scattered across different
continents wore pearls that were supplied from Mannar for more than 2000
years; however, the overuse of the area depleted its sources centuries ago, killing
its pearling industry.

Season to Visit
The best time to visit Mannar Island and its attractions are between the months
of July and September, or between December and February. The area is best
avoided between April and June, when the weather in Sri Lanka’s Northern
Province burns exceedingly hot, which could make for an unpleasant visit.

• MANNAR BIRD SANCTUARY

Spanning an area of more than 4,800 hectares, the Mannar Bird Sanctuary (also
known as the Vankalai Lagoon or Vankalai Sanctuary) is home to a vast array of
migratory birds. The area was declared a sanctuary by the Department of
Wildlife Conservation in 2008, and provides a variety of different ecosystems
(mangroves, salt marshes, lagoons, waterholes, grasslands and more) for the
birds to peacefully live in. In 2010, the sanctuary was declared a Ramsar Site, marking it as a wetland site of international importance under the Ramsar
Convention. The area is known to provide exceptional feeding and living habitats
for its large waterbird population, hosting more than 20,000 waterbirds during
the migratory season.

A Thriving Biodiversity
Several rare birds can be spotted here, including the spot-billed duck, the comb
duck, the long-toed stint, peregrine falcons and the very rare Eastern Black-tailed
Godwit. Visitors may also spot flamingos at the site. Nearly 150 different species
of birds are reported to have been spotted at the sanctuary, and the site’s marine
ecosystem is said to support more than 60 species including fish, turtles, dugongs and crocodiles. When the thousands of birds that migrate to Sri Lanka
arrive, their first stop is the Mannar region – particularly the bird sanctuary. Vankalai Lagoon is also their last staging point before they leave the country at
the end of the season.

• GIANT’S TANK

Home to the legendary Yoda Wewa (“Yoda” is the Sinhalese word for “Giant”), the Giant’s Tank Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary covering an area of 10,700
acres in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. It is located approximately 20
kilometres southeast of Mannar Island and was officially designated as a
sanctuary in the mid-20th century, in the year 1954.

Possible Origins of the Tank
There are several hypotheses as to the origins of the tank. According to one
theory, the Giant’s Tank is the same tank that was built by the ancient Sri Lankan
King Dhatusena in the 5th century and subsequently restored by King
Parakramabahu I in the 12th century. Another theory assumes that the tank was
built by the Naga people, an ancient tribe that once inhabited the island.

The Tank During the Colonial Era
In the 18th century, the administration of that period’s Dutch governor
considered renovating the tank, but those plans never came to fruition. The
Dutch and subsequent British irrigation engineers who studied the tank came to
the conclusion that it had been created with a flawed design; however, when the
tank was nevertheless restored, it soon became apparent that it was yet another
example of Sri Lanka’s great ancient irrigation systems.

Best Time to Visit
As it can get quite hot between the months of April to June, especially in the
Nothern Province, travellers should plan their holidays; whether to Mannar or
the surrounding cities during other months of the year the best time to visit the
Giant’s Tank in Mannar would be between July to September, or between
December to February, for the ideal weather conditions.

• KEERI BEACH

When considering the many beautiful beaches that Sri Lanka has to offer, the
country’s southern and western coasts receive the lion’s share of attention. Some
beach towns have been dedicated to the enjoyment of its visitors and have thus
attracted throngs of tourists to flock to its golden shores. However, untouched
tropical beaches that are secluded and pristine, like Keeri Beach, can be found
around the entire country.

A Beach with Interesting Features
Mannar is one of the four districts of Sri Lanka’s Northern province. Mannar
Island is connected to the northern mainland through a causeway. A mere five
kilometres from its main town, Keeri Beach is known to locals for its sunny
location and excellent swimming spots. The beach is bordered by a small forest
of palm trees that is home to several tribes of monkeys, so if choosing Keeri
Beach for a picnic, guests should ensure that no food items are left behind for the
monkeys to steal. Remember to apply copious amounts of sunscreen before
frolicking in the refreshing waters!
When to Visit
The best times to travel to Sri Lanka’s northern coast are between the months of
July to September, and between December and February. If possible, avoid
visiting between April and June as the summer months can get extremely hot
with unpleasant weather. If arriving in Sri Lanka between August and March, however, tourists have a higher chance of spotting flamingos near Mannar Island
too.

•  THANTHIRIMALE

Located approximately 80 kilometers outside of the town of Mannar and 40
kilometers northwest of Anuradhapura city, Thanthirimale is an old village in Sri
Lanka’s Anuradhapura District that is known for its ancient temple: the
Thanthirimale Raja Maha Vihara. This temple is considered an important and
central part of the village, having been built around the 3rd century BC.

According to Legend
Legend has it that when the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi (a fig tree that was grown from
a branch of the ancient tree under which Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment)
was brought to Sri Lanka from India as a sapling, it was kept for one night at
Thanthirimale before continuing its journey to Anuradhapura. It is further
believed that a branch from the sapling was taken and planted at Thanthirimale
in commemoration, and that this therefore may be the first Sri Maha Bodhi to be
planted in the country.

The Temple Today and the Best Time to Visit
In the 1960s, Buddhist monks reestablished the temple. Today, the ruins
surrounding the temple can be explored, featuring two impressive stone statues
and several stone ponds. In order to best enjoy a visit to Thanthirimale, vacationers should aim to journey
through between the months of July and September, and between December and
February, for ideal weather conditions. The summer periods in the area between
April and June can reach exceptionally high temperatures, and so it is
recommended to avoid visiting during this time.

• THE DORIC AT ARIPPU

Located approximately 40 kilometers south of Mannar Island, the Doric
Bungalow (also known simply as The Doric) at Arippu was once the home of the
first British Governor of Ceylon: Frederick North, the 5th Earl of Guildford. Purpose of its Construction and Intriguing Design
Constructed at the beginning of the 19th century between 1801 and 1804, the
house was intended by the governor to help the revival of Sri Lanka’s pearl
fisheries. The two-story building came to be known as “The Doric” due to the
presence of its columns, which were designed in the image of the ancient Greek
Doric order. The building’s façade was decorated with lime plaster, using the
lime of burnt oyster shells that subsequently gave it a marble-like appearance.

Its Original Features
On the ground floor of the building were four small bedrooms, each at one of its
corners, while a large staircase occupied the main central space. On the upper
floor were two rooms: one was used as a dining room that could seat at least
twenty people, while the other was designated as the governor’s bedchamber. After being used as the governor’s residence, the building was handed over for
the use of other officials and government agents, particularly for the supervision
of pearl fishery. Today, the Doric has been declared a protected archaeological monument. Its
exposure to the weather conditions of its beachside cliff location has left the
building in an impressive state of ruins.