Mannar

Mannar, pronounced Mannārama by locals, has unclear origins as an independent district, It belonged to the central kingdom until the general political conflicts took hold of the country. Mannar functioned as an administration point for the Jaffna Kingdom prior to the Portuguese invasions where the land acted as fortresses for the invaders. After the Dutch occupied the outskirts of Sri Lanka, Mannar acted as a base where they built one of the most recognizable fortresses on the entire island. After the British was hired to fight the Dutch colonials, they took control of the Mannar District along with all its assets. In 1883, a new administrative structure declared Mannar as a district belonging to the Northern Province which hosted the Tamil ethnicity under British colonial rule. Starting in the early 1980s, the Tamil separatist LTTE occupied almost all the northern districts of the country including Mannar for almost two decades. During this time, Mannar's diversity started dropping and the Tamils were the only occupants in the district. While the Sinhalese greatly contributed to the start of the war, the occupants of the Mannar district were left miserable by the constant warfare and manhandling done by the LTTE. This also led to Mannar being in a less developed state in comparison to cities such as Colombo and Anuradhapura. As an example of the devastation and loss of life visited on the area during that period, in 2014, a mass grave of unidentified victims of war was uncovered adjacent to a Hindu kovil in Mannar. It is important that you pay your homage to the families dealing with loss when you visit the town. Talking about the civil war is mostly fine and is considered to be a normal topic of conversation, but do not disrespect or start quarrels regarding the politics of the war.

The majority of residents in Mannar belong to the Tamil ethnicity, Most of these families were displaced from other parts of the country during the civil war (Mannar was also one of the main residences of Sri Lankan Tamils prior to the civil war, but the diversity collapsed afterwards). Tamils are quite religious and extremely hospitable. You can witness their extravagant architecture through the structures scattered around the area. Be sure to smile and be respectful. Animals like cows are often considered to be holy in some parts of Mannar, so be sure to treat them with respect as well.

Most of the locals tend to communicate with tourists in a mix of both Sinhala and English due to the majority of visitors being familiar with Sinhala than with Tamil. Talking in Sinhala is the best option as it is more locally accepted in comparison to Tamil. For more information on the languages, check the Sinhala phrasebook or the Tamil phrasebook. You might also be able to hire a personal translator from a hotel or a local agency. Some of the locals may be fascinated by your presence and might try to communicate in "slurs", this is noticeably normal in Sri Lanka, especially if you are an African American, you might hear racial slurs coming from the locals, however they aren't attempting to offend you, these words are often used as most locals do not understand the criticality of using racial slurs, and they are most probably unaware of the origins and the general meaning since they've seen it being used in TV shows, movies and social media without the necessary context (this behavior is usually seen in large cities but it can be expected in Mannar as well).

The climate is generally warm, although sometimes Mannar drops to an average temperature of 24 °C. Monsoon seasons may affect weather conditions, but they usually bring only light showers. Whilst heavy rainfall is rare, it can occur without a warning due to a change of wind patterns and proximity to the Indian sub-continent. The citizens in Mannar have adapted to the heated climate of the district, you can spot refreshment stores frequently on your trip there. Despite the displeasing climate, the fauna manages to stay fresh and green while areas like Hambantota dry out the trees during the peak of spring.

Trains are very cheap in Sri Lanka. A public train includes all the essential facilities. Trains on the Talaimannar line do not have A/C but the windows open. There are two trains per day in each direction.

• Board the train at the Fort railway station in Colombo and get your tickets, while pre-booking is also available. The journey will take 8½ hours and will cost LKR 540 for 2nd class or LKR 335 for 3rd class. Seats can be reserved in 2nd class only. After getting off at the 🌍 Mannar station.  You can continue your journey to your hotel by taxi.

• Mannar railway station, S Bar Rd, ☏ +94 23 3 232233. (updated May 2019)

Bus travel can be comfortable depending on the number of passengers and condition of the vehicle. The price range may also differ according to the type of bus. Bus services provided by the Ceylon Transport Board normally charge Rs. 20 for a trip, but an intercity bus will charge more. The difference between CTB and intercity buses is that an Intercity bus includes more facilities such as A/C, Wi-fi (not all have this) and TV.

• You will have to get on a bus at the Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal in Colombo and continue on an 8-hour journey to Vavuniya. The price may vary according to the trip. After getting off at Vavuniya, you must get on a taxi and continue your journey to Mannar (it is suggested to pre-order a taxi). This would take at least 1½ hours.
• Mannar to Colombo bus express, ☏ +94 11 5 116117. Rs. 610.80 per person. (updated Aug 2019)

You can always rent a car and drive up to Mannar. A direct trip from Colombo to Mannar would take at least 6 hours not including stops. There are multiple routes that you can take and each hosts required facilities such as gas stations and strains of civilization. Driving expenses will vary according to the route and the number of stops you make. The road to Mannar is pleasant and relatively uncrowded, with the exception of a few central locations.

Since there are no direct flights to Mannar This mode of domestic flight is complex, but is easier and much more comfortable. The scheme for plane travel has many subsets such as by train and taxi. This mode of locomotion is ideal for an adventurous person.

The procedure for this journey will start from Diyawanna Oya, it is known by almost everyone in Sri Lanka, so getting there would be a piece of cake. There, you must enter the Diyawanna Oya Sea plane base. After hiring a plane for the tour which would range around the prices of 2000 to 26000 rupees. After getting on the flight, you will get to enjoy about 30 minutes of a pleasant tour which would come to a stop at Katugastota airport. Then you have to proceed to the Kurunegala Railway station by the use of a taxi (the prize for the taxi would be about 2300-3600 rupees in total). After boarding the specific train at the station, you will have to set your self on the seat for about five hours or so (expenses would be no more than a 1000 rupees). After reaching the Talaimannar station, you would simply have to take a taxi to Mannar. After you have completed the trip, it would cost you the about 32000 rupees.

However, there is an alternate method of plane travel. This way might cost thrice the price of the aforementioned method, but is less complicated. You have to board the plane at the Katunayake Airport, or the Bandaranaike International Airport. There are 2 main scheduled flights from the planes Cinnamon Air 9401 and Sri Lankan Airlines 5005 which stays in the port from 10 AM to 10:30 AM. After boarding the plane, you will get to enjoy a good 30-minute flight. The flight would cost at least a 100,000 rupees. After getting off at Sigiriya, you have to travel four hours by taxi to Mannar (this would cost 15,000 rupees at least). This trip would cost you about 120,000 rupees at most. It's four times more expensive than the aforementioned method, but it would get you to Mannar sooner.

The prices are at the below given ranges, as of August 2019. The following prices are charged per liter and are set at all government-run Lanka Petrol filling stations.

• Lanka Petrol 92 Octane: Rs. 177.00
• Lanka Petrol 95 Octane Euro 4: Rs. 207.00
• Lanka Auto Diesel: Rs. 121.00
• Lanka Super Diesel 4 Star Euro 4: Rs. 131.00

Fuel stations are frequent throughout Sri Lanka, but it is suggested that you only use the stations operated by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. If you're heading into a sparsely-populated area, bring a jerry-can.

• 🌍 Madhu Maatha Filling Station, Thalei Mannar road, madhu. 24 hours. A busy service station of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. Fuel cans available. Restrooms free. (updated Oct 2023)
• 🌍 Lanka IOC Filling Station, Mannar. A very compact filling station, open 24 hours daily. The station only has 2 fuel dispensers and a few cans of petrol stored inside the maintenance shed. You can easily identify this station from the large billboard ( A billboard consisting of Orange and dark blue colors) that can be seen when driving through the Medhawachchiya—Talaimannar highway. (updated Aug 2019)

• 🌍 Mannar Fort. A square -shaped fortress built by the Portuguese and later taken over by the Dutch and then the British. The fortress displays the ancient development of architecture in Sri Lanka. The fortress lies right at the edge of the part of the District that is adjoined with Sri Lanka. The area is well preserved with a collection of fishery villages. Parking space is less, however the entrance is completely free. You can get a promising view of the Mannar bridge from the remains of the fort, and in the evening, it would be a brilliant location for scenic photography. (updated Aug 2019)

• 🌍 Baobab tree, Pallimunai Rd. Largest tree in Sri Lanka, over 700 years of age and has a circumference of 19.5 meters. This tree was believed to brought to Sri Lanka by Arabian traders. Even though forty baobab trees have been identified in Sri Lanka (35 in Mannar), this tree is believed to be the largest and oldest out of the few. The location of the baobab tree isn't that special, and there is only so little to see there. The tree is surrounded by a few houses and is in the middle of a small dusty field. The tree is mainly used as a backdrop for photographs and it's considered to be customary to snap a photo when visiting the area. (updated Aug 2019)
• 🌍 Adam's Bridge. An amazing geographical feature which is the single remaining evidence that prove Sri Lanka was connected to India by land. The Adam's bridge is a narrow strip of land with the Indian Ocean by its side. The bridge is 48 km in length and it separates the Gulf of Mannar from Palk Strait. Records say that the bridge was fully over the sea before it was destroyed in a cyclone a few hundred years ago. The Adam's bridge appears in Indian legends such as Rama and Islamic legends such as Adam. It is believed in Islam that the Adams bridge was used for the religious significant Adam to continue from India to Adam's peak. Sources say that the bridge may have been constructed by Sri Lankans themselves. (updated Aug 2019)
• 🌍 Giant's Tank (Yodha vawa). A large tank known as Yodha vawa by the locals (yodha is the Sinhala word for "giant"), merged with malwatu oya. It was constructed by King Dhathusena in the 5th century AD (459-477) and it later went through several reconstructions throughout time. It's considered to be quite a spectacle as it was made with impressive technology (at the time of its creation). The Tank premises also hosts a shop for beverages and snacks, an open area to enjoy a meal and restrooms for travelers. The 4.5 mile Tank bund serves as a platform to view the area, The wind blows rapidly and it's best to remove all headwear as there is a chance of it fluttering away into the tank. (updated Aug 2019)
• 🌍 Arippu Dutch Fort (Allirani fort). The Arippu fort was a Portuguese fort handed over to the Dutch after they took over the coastlines of Sri Lanka. The fortress is a historical landmark linked to the famous sea voyager "Robert Knox's" escape from Ceylon in 17th century AD. The fort can be seen in ruins as of today and it's a quite interesting place to visit during your stay in Mannar. (updated Feb 2022)
• 🌍 Doric Bungalow. A ruined bungalow built as the residence of the first British Governor of Sri Lanka located near the seaside outside of Mannar island in the Mannar District. (updated Feb 2022)
• 🌍 Talaimannar Lighthouse (near the shores of Mannar island). A significant landmark built in 1915. (updated Feb 2022)

• 🌍NOT EXISTING LISTING IMAGE Thiruketheeswaram Kovil, ☏ +94 23 2 050 800. When the Indians arrived at the coastal lines of Sri Lanka in the early centuries, they built many permanent kovils. The Kovil was destroyed many times and reconstructed throughout time. The temple premises are quite expanded and peaceful, although demolition and reconstruction is still happening. It is required that the males take off their shirts/t-shirts when entering, following the removal of footwear. The Temple shows many architectural phenomenons constructed by the Sri Lankan Tamils. The ruins are well preserved and well maintained by the Hindu devotees and locals. Great paintings and statues can be seen all around the temple, including demolished remains of the older buildings. (updated Aug 2019)
• 🌍 National Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu (Madhu church/ Madhu palliya), Puliyadi Irakkamam, Madhu Road, Madu, ☏ +94 232 280 001. A historical Landmark built by Catholics almost 400 years ago as one of the main churches in Sri Lanka. The shrine acted as a refugee camp during the 30 year civil war and still remains a well preserved structure even after a war related incident that demolished the area killing 44 individuals. The Church itself is considered to be a must-see place for Catholics as it is one of the oldest and one of the most prestigious locations on the entire island. (updated Feb 2022)

• 🌍 Kora Kulam. A tank, adjacent scrubland. A bird watching site, recommended by the Ceylon Birds Club. The best time to visit the tank is during the Northern Migrating season. The artificial reservoir is 3 km north-west of Mannar. It is an excellent location for evening photography as well. (updated Aug 2019)
• 🌍 Vankalai Sanctuary. Another place for bird watching. Frequently visited by Greater flamingoes. If you are into bird watching, the best time to visit would have to be the Northern migrant season. Has an amazing setting for evening and morning photography. Vankalai is an Open area with less trees and more water with a road with a double side view of the water bodies, hence It is an easy place to access through a vehicle. The sun normally peaks through and you cannot find much shade in the area so it is advised to bring some eye wear or headwear to protect yourself from the direct sunlight. Bringing along some binoculars will also be greatly beneficial since waders are mostly common in the area and it is unsafe to wander close to the birds as these water bodies are not inspected and are generally considered to be unsafe and unethical. Wearing a pair of shoes will also benefit you and this might even give you a chance to explore some of the more steep and dangerous areas (shrubberies and muddy pits). (updated Aug 2019)
• 🌍 Keeri Beach. Secure beach on the coastal line of Mannar, a place to swim, frolic and even enjoy a beach picnic. You can also book hotels close to the beach to enjoy the view and get easy access to the beach itself. The location is scenic and its best to visit it early in the morning or in the evening for photography or film making. (updated Feb 2022)
• 🌍 Donkey clinic and education Centre, Olaithoduwai Road, Thailankudiyiruppu 41000, ☏ +94712635444. A famous donkey clinic that has become a popular tourist attraction. The clinic allows you to interact with the animals with the necessary guidance. The clinic enforces a few health safety guidelines and will not tolerate any animal cruelty in the location. The clinic also sells souvenirs and accessories for the tourists at relatively cheap prices. (updated Feb 2022)

Such products can be bought from local supermarkets. They are manufactured by many brands, you may choose any you might like. The application methods are given on the packet. Soap is usually packed in a cardboard packet as an individual item, but you can buy several at the same time at a less or more price. The price of a bar of soap or a packet of detergent would vary according to the features and brand. buying snacks can be done from any shop, a packet of biscuits would cost at a price range of fifty to hundred rupees. Buying chewing gum and toffees would cost 10 rupees or less. The 2 most trusted trademarks for biscuit distribution is maliban and munchee.

• 🌍 Lanka Sathosa, Grand Bazaar. Sri Lankan cooperative service. Cheap prices but a messy store. Parking out the front. (updated Oct 2023)
• 🌍 Cargills food city - express, No Road 01, Pallimulei (0232 251 792). A trusted store in Sri Lanka, with groceries and other basic essentials. The branch in Mannar is an express version. It has consumer staples and a small pharmaceutical section where you can buy simple medication like Panadol, Loratadine and Bethalin. Limited parking. (updated Aug 2019)
• 🌍 Sakthi Supermarket, B270, Mannar, ☏ +94 23 2 222 192. Closes 8PM. Small and basic shop for groceries and toiletries. Neat shop, good if you're looking for Indian products. The shop is hidden among a chain of electronic shops. Parking space is not available due to its proximity to the main street. (updated Aug 2019)

If you wish to purchase any electronic devices (Smartphones, kitchen appliances, electronic accessories) be sure to purchase these from a trusted location. Singer, Abans and Softlogic can be identified as some trusted dealers in the country. When purchasing these devices check twice to make sure that you aren't being scammed and try to get some professional advice when buying anything that is considered "expensive". Mannar is short of quality smart device and accessory (wrist watches, headsets) manufacturing companies which might increase the chance of meeting counterfeit second-hand products in the market, as for kitchen appliances, they are present in the market in a similar manner, you can find low quality products at a cheap price, however for convenience and for your personal safety, you should avoid buying any counterfeit products and stick to the more reliable stores.

• 🌍 Abans stores, No.40 Grand Bazaar, ☏ +94 077 404 7420. 8:30AM-6:30PM. Abans is a trusted company in Sri Lanka for dealing electronic devices such as smartphones, kitchen appliances, computer accessories and so on. The Mannar Branch provides the basic equipment at reasonable prices, However some customers complaints report that the store has bad customer service (Mannar branch specifically).. Be sure to purchase your electronics from either Abans or Singer as they are stable companies that holds a low chance of reselling counterfeit products. (updated Feb 2022)
• 🌍 Singer plus, 69 Centre Bazaar Rd, ☏ +94 23 2 222 013. A trusted electronics store. Singer is the official distributor of Samsung electronics in Sri Lanka, you can buy mobile phones, computers and wifi routers from different brand from this store. The maintenance and space management of the store is well cared for. The store is long but not wide. The exterior appearance of the store doesn't add much significance, but the interior is perfectly built and has a good inventory. (updated Aug 2019)

Cloths and souvenirs can be purchased almost everywhere in Sri Lanka as the tourism in industry is a main source of income for the country, but when purchasing your cloths you have to avoid scammers. Some stores in Sri Lanka Specifically target tourists as they are unfamiliar with the local currency. They will attempt to sell you counterfeit products that they would claim to be the real thing at an extremely unreasonable price. Be aware and always recheck the quality of the item as these scams often happen in tourist attracted locations. Always visit a trusted store or a store that looks trustworthy.

• 🌍 Infinitee, ☏ +94 075 038 4803. A t-shirt store. (updated Feb 2022)

If you are lodging in a hotel exposed to the wilderness, be sure to check your room or get it checked for any lethal creatures such as snakes and spiders, and also make sure to double check your shoes/boots before wearing them. It's advised to keep your distance from animals such as cows and donkeys, as you will probably be treated with a nasty kick to the jaw if you intimidate them by any chance. Mosquitos, sandflies and other disease causing bugs are also abundant in Mannar (and most parts of the island). Be sure to check if your hotel/inn has mosquito nets installed (if the room isn't sealed or if it doesn't have air conditioning). If the hotel doesn't have any of those facilities, you can purchase a mosquito repellent from a nearby convenience store, it's best to purchase an anti-mosquito coil which typically stands in the 100-200 rupee price range, they do release a substantial amount of "toxic" fumes, but they aren't generally considered to be harmful to humans. If you get bitten by any spiders or snakes, visit the nearest hospital immediately (preferably a public hospital since private one's aren't that common in the area and the ones that exist aren't up to code.).

Besides the animals, there may be pick-pocketers in populated areas (e.g. Mannar town), and some may attempt to steal your belongings if you leave them unattended. Do not wear any jewelry in busy streets and don't carry your smartphone around carelessly, lest it might be snatched. Travelling alone after hours might also be risky. While it's fine to affect gifts from strangers, don't accept food without necessary supervision from an experienced individual. It's best to hire a responsible guide from your hotel when travelling to prevent any acts of violence or scams.

In case of a medical emergency, dial 110.

Dengue mosquitoes are quite common in Mannar. Symptoms for dengue can be listed as follows: nausea, vomiting, severe headaches, fatigue, muscle pain and sudden high fever. If you have any three of these symptoms, visit the nearest hospital to confirm. It is treatable with medication.

• Ways to prevent dengue — sleeping with a mosquito net (can be purchased or it will already be provided by the hotel) and applying mosquito repellent are simple tricks to be safe from dengue. To prevent this, you can always purchase items such as mosquito repellent coils and sprays.

Leishmaniasis is a disease spread by sandfly bites. Wear long clothes and repellent to prevent bites. Leishmaniasis causes skin lesions that can leave permanent scars.

• Police emergency hotline—118/119— For fire brigades and ambulance services, the caller's location is automatically traced through the connection line.
• Ambulance/fire and rescue—110
• Tourist police—011-2421052
• Government information service—1919
• Child protection authority—1929—to report a missing child or to report violence against children.

Mannar has only a few hospitals and pharmacies. Basic medical items can be bought from pharmacies. If you have a simple fever or a headache, it's not the best idea to visit the hospital. For muscle sprains and body aches, you can apply ointment such as axe oil, siddhalepa and iodex (can be bought from local pharmacies).

• 🌍 District general hospital, Thalvupadu - Mannar Rd, ☏ +94 23 2 222 261. General hospital of Mannar. Like many major hospitals, this one is pretty big in size (compared to other hospitals in the district.) The hospital is quite spacious and welcoming. It's well built, but not a lot of patients visit this location. The building is painted pale yellow and has an extensive architectural style. (updated Aug 2019)
• 🌍 Hospital Murungan. A hospital which contains adequate facilities for treatment. (updated Aug 2019)
• 🌍 Hospital Church. Close to the general hospital. (updated Aug 2019)
• 🌍 Rajes Kantha Private Hospital, ☏ +94 23 2 223 383. A very compact private hospital facing the main road. (updated Aug 2019)
• 🌍 New metro pharmacy, Hospital road, ☏ +94 237 911 312. A small pharmacy, has basic treatment medicine. (updated Aug 2019)
• 🌍 Ben Pharmacy, Hospital rd. Home-based pharmacy. (updated Aug 2019)