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Coordinates: 8°58′N 79°53′E

Mannar is a district of Sri Lanka. Mannar means 'deer river' or 'silt river'. The ancient port was known as Mahaota Mahawamsa, Mantota, and Mahatheetha in Sanskrit, where it means the 'great port'. Mathoddam or Manthai and many other variants are found, e.g., in Egyptian, Chinese, Portuguese and Dutch maps. A discussion with many references is found in [the website on traditional place names in Sri lanka]. The Malvatu oya (Aruvi Aru) provided a direct water route from Mantota to the Ancient capital Anuradhapura. Many Buddhist ruins dating to pre-Christian times are found in this area. This is the location of Thiruketheeswaram. the ancient temple which was sung in Tevaram and visited by Sambanthar.

Contents 1 Geology, Soil and Water 2 Demography 3 Christian Churches 4 Mannar Harbour 5 Wildlife 6 External links

Mudungama, today known as Murunkan, is the place where the Giant's Tank or Yodaweva, built by King Vasabha in the 3rd century BC, is situated. It has montmorillonite clay and is the only place in Sri Lanka where this kind of clay can be obtained. This clay is used in making cement.

Aruvi Aru (Malwatu Oya) is the second longest river in Sri Lanka and runs through Mannar and Anuradhapura districts. During ancient times Tamiravarni or Tambapanni (Tamirabarani) may be the name(s) of the place where legend holds that Prince Viyaya, a Bengale prince, landed in Sri lanka..

Mannar has artesian springs and aquifers. These water supply comes from Sri Lanka's central areas. The Northern Province has a supply of fresh water from aquifers and it was used in successful cultivation. It only exists in the areas where Red Yellow Latosol exists. These types of aquifers do not exist where Reddish Brown Earth is found. The rest of the Vanni area is void of perennial supply of fresh water.

Mannar is a predominantly Catholic Christian area. There was equal amount of Muslim population and a few Sinhalase before 1990. The ethnic conflict created distrust between communities and LTTE expelled all Muslims out of Northern Province during 1990. Muslims refugees settled around Puttalam. Any settlement for the ethnic conflict has to decide on the fate of Muslim refugees, their fate and their properties. A reasonable settlement will need to accommodate a secular non-racist society for all the communities to live in a peaceful neighbourhood without fear. Muslims have lived here from ancient times when Arab traders were travelling the Indian Ocean. Christians have lived here from Portuguese times. This was the principal port of the Sinhala kings until about the 11th century. Tamils and Muslims both originate from the local Tamil and Arab people who changed their religions after the foreign traders or missionaries came to Mannar. Muslim lineages claim that their Arab ancestors married Sinhala and Tamil women.

Mannar is part of the 'Catholic Belt' extending from Negombo to Jaffna. Portuguese first arrived in Colombo and established Catholicism in areas around Chilaw and further expanded their rule into Nagar Kovil,Kanyakumari and Tuticorin area. Thus the whole of Gulf of Mannar could be called a Catholic Belt.

The ancient Madu Church is one of the ancient churches in Asia and located near Murunkan. An ancient Kali Temple was demolished by Portuguese to construct the Catholic church on the same location.

The largest church in Sri Lanka is the Pesalai Church. Recent human rights violations by Sri Lanka Army and the LTTE attacks have brought it to the media attention internationally. (see 2006 Mannar massacres)

Mannar has an ancient port which needs to be expanded into a large harbour like Rameshwaram Harbour. The present 'Sethusamudram Project' by the Indian Government will bring 90% of the shipping traffic very near to the Mannar Harbour.

The strategic advantages derive from obtaining a navigable sea route close to the coast, with a reduction in travel distance of more than 350 nautical miles (650 km) (for larger ships). The project is expected to provide a boost to the economic and industrial development of coastal Tamil Nadu. The project will be of particular significance to Jaffna, Kankesanthurai, Mannar, Point Pedro and Tuticorin harbour. Tuticurin has the potential to transform itself into a nodal port. The Tamil Nadu Government has announced its proposal to develop 13 minor ports, including Ennore, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thondi, Valinokam, Kolachel and Kanyakumari.

Development of the canal and ports is also expected to provide increased maritime security for Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.

All the other harbours of Sri Lanka will get bypassed by the ships and Indian harbours will be servicing the shipping traffic. As such a hundred million dollar project needs to be started to build a modern harbour in Mannar to compete. The location of such a harbour can be on the northern side and southern side of Mannar as both the sides can cater for deep sea vessels.

Mannar needs to be linked to Puttalam by a straight road which may be not more than 20 miles of distance. Part of this needs to be underground as it goes through The Wilpattu National Park. This will be of economic benefit to Sri Lanka as it will save so many kilometers of unnecessary drive through Anuradhapura and Wanni area to Jaffna.

• Pesalai Church Attack

Main Cities Of Sri Lanka
Colombo | Sri Jayewardenapura | Anuradhapura | Trincomalee | Jaffna | Kandy | Polonnaruwa | Galle | Batticaloa | Nuwara Eliya | Negombo | Kurunegala | Badulla | Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia | Moratuwa

Cities of North and East Provinces of Sri Lanka
Trincomalee | Jaffna | Vavuniya | Batticaloa | Mannar | Kilinochchi | Ampara | Mullaitivu