Restoring Mannar's eroding heritage

One of the most historically and archaeologically important towns in Sri Lanka at present is Mannar.

- Kamanthi Wickramasinghe

This is because its history dates back to over 1500 years, especially with its role as one of the most prosperous maritime trading hubs of yesteryear. Historical accounts indicate that Manthota (now known as Mannar) was a large port believed to have harbored up to 1000 vessels and navigation routes for mariners around shoals and islands in the vicinity. But today, Mannar has become vulnerable to destruction as a result of unplanned development.

Buried history

Mannar was known for Pearl fisheries. Renowned environmental architect and historian Sunela Jayewardene in her maiden book titled 'The Line of Lanka' describes Lanka's pearl banks as follows;

"Along the Mannar coast, just south of Neduntivu, encrusting the shallow sandy seabed, once lay the pearl banks of Lanka. Harvested for centuries, they provided the world with the finest pearls. During the short 'season', a temporary town of Pearl fishers sprung up, attracting fortune hunters from across the ancient world, but particularly large numbers of Africans and Arabs. They came primarily as pearl divers, who arrived with their curious, bone nose clips, shaven heads and slept on board the dhows they sailed in..."

But once the British captured the island, Jayewardene notes that the pearl banks were finally closed and the bounty which had been sustainably harvested since time immemorial, was exhausted in just over a century. Today, around two signboards on the way to Arippu remind visitors of the thriving pearl fishery industry back in the day.

Remnants of Doric Bungalow