Mannar

Mannar is a town and district in the Northern province of Sri Lanka.

Understand
Mannar's name originated from the Tamil words maṉṉ and ār, meaning mud river or. Since ancient times, Mannar has had a great diversity of people, flora and fauna. With many bodies of water which welcome the presence of incredibly rare waders, Mannar is a great place for a retreat. You can almost be sure to catch a glimpse of the greater flamingoes during the bird migration season (December–April). Besides wildlife, the district also has a fascinating history from the time of the Portuguese and Dutch navigators; many forts still remain viewable, though in ruins.

History
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.

Community
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.

Communication
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).

Climate
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.

By train
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  You can continue your journey to your hotel by taxi.



By bus
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.

By car
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.

By plane
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.

By plane and train
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.

By plane and taxi
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.

Get around

 * Mannar is practically an island. It's too large for an average person to cover by foot, so it is best if you hire a car or another vehicle to get around town. You can always hire a tuk-tuk. When renting a vehicle, you must make sure that the vehicle is suitable for an adventure. If not, you will hardly get to experience the beauty of Mannar. If you are travelling alone, the best possible option is that you rent a bike (motorbike). When exploring the water bodies and plains, you must walk on foot. hiring a guide for the trip will help you identify the places you are willing to see.

Fuel
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.

See
Mannar has many amazing geographical, archaeological and natural factors that are worth to see.

Landmarks



 * Mannar Bio bab.jpg
 * Mannar Bio bab.jpg
 * Mannar Bio bab.jpg
 * Mannar Bio bab.jpg
 * Mannar Bio bab.jpg

Do
Hotels and agencies will list quite a few activities, you can even explore on your own. Mannar is one of the most biodiverse locations in Sri Lanka, with marshes, sandy beaches and even woodlands.
 * Flamingos at Mannar saltern.jpg

Buy
Not many major purchases can be done in this district; minor souvenirs, such as keychains, can be bought from shopping stalls near tourist attractions. When buying essential food items, its recommended that you visit the trusted stores in the district such as Cargills and Keels. Many minor supermarkets are distributed all over the district, not to mention the local stores. You can also buy food items from food stalls at the Sunday market. Buying cloth and accessories can be done in textile shops, but be aware of touts who try to sell items at an unreasonable price without your knowledge. The roadside stores generally sell second-hand products such as flimsy sunglasses and other low-quality accessories, If you are open to helping out poor shopkeepers in Mannar you should purchase something from these stores, otherwise, it's not recommended since these products are cheap knock-offs of the original products.

Groceries and essentials
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.



Electronic appliances
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.



Clothes and souvenirs
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.

Eat
Dining is usually provided by the hotels, but well maintained restaurants are available in the town (as mentioned below)

Snacks such as 'Wade' (wah-dei) can be bought from local stores along with other Indian-based food items such as pouri and hoppers. Most of these food items are prepared with flour and oil. They mostly act as dinner meals and can be found in most Mannar restaurants. String hoppers are mostly seen in these areas and are quite fulfilling meals. Most of these products are made to be enjoyed with a special type of curry such as "pol sambol" or dhal. Seafood is present in some of these restaurants. Crabs, lobsters, fish are all fine choices and can be usually found in inns and hotels (rather than streetside restaurants)

Other widely-available Sri Lankan-made snacks include Ritzbury and Kandos brand chocolates. Kandos is generally better quality, but significantly more expensive than Ritzbury products. Munchee and Maliban brand biscuits are also available everywhere.

Ice cream can usually be found in local supermarkets. The trusted ice cream companies in Mannar are limited to two options. They are Elephant House and Magic. You can also buy ice creams from carts which drive past beaches. Ice cream price may vary according to flavors, size and the content in it. The cheapest ice cream is a popsicle named "captain cool" which normally costs 20 Rupees. As always, it is best to stick to recognised brands. Mannar and other Northern districts have ice cream three-wheelers that roam around playing a tune, these vehicles can be found quite commonly in Mannar town and tourist attractions. Purchasing your ice cream from a three-wheeler is the second best option as they provide items that are manufactured by the afore mentioned brands. You can also find a substitute for popsicles known as "ice packets", these are generally considered to be unhygienic since they are manufactured by unofficial companies, This item is partially a beverage and is a semi-solid packet of frozen flavored liquids. You can consume it by biting off the corner edge of the polythene sheet that coats the contents and sipping from the hole. The packets are uncomfortable to consume, however, they are cheap (10 Rupees) and wildly refreshing.

You can also purchase sweets from stores, these sweets migrated with the Tamil culture and are quite high in quality, sweets such as jalebi are wildly known for their exquisite taste. Look for home-made varieties. You can also buy homemade chips and savory snacks, but their manufacture can be unhygenic. Snacks can be bought from grocery stores, pharmacies and common street stalls.

Drink
Packed water and soft drink bottles can be bought from any store in the district. You can also purchase 'king coconut juice' from local stores or outdoor food carts. Do not drink tap water. Hotels in mannar do not provide minibars, if you need any beverage you can request it from the manager. The most trusted and common soft drink company of Sri Lanka is Elephant House. Be wary of unbranded products. Coca-Cola, Fanta and Sprite can also be found in local store, cold drinks cost a bit more than unrefrigerated drinks.

Soft Drinks- The term "soft drinks" is used for carbonated drinks in Sri Lanka like some other Asian and non-Asian countries. Sri Lanka has its own carbonated beverage company named Elephant House and it's generally cheaper than the other "branded" products. Coca-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7up, Pepsi etc. are also available in stores, however, Elephant House products are more abundant since they are relatively cheaper. These drinks usually come in various flavors and can be bought in both cooled and non-cooled forms. Most stores have these drinks and they normally cost in the 1 dollar price range.

Sleep
An overnight stay here is required based on the time taken for the journey to get there. Many hotels in Mannar are low key. The hotels closer to the town are far better.





Threats from animals
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.).

Threats from others
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.

Diseases
In case of a medical emergency, dial 110.

Dengue
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 &mdash; 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
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.

Connect
The telephone area code for mannar is 023. While the post codes are 41000-41999. Connecting to the internet can usually be done by Mobile data. Purchasing data cards or otherwise known reload/prepaid cards will enable you to connect to the internet. The cards are usually published by mobitel and dialog, but it is recommended to buy hutch or airtel in those areas. Dialog is also a good option, but a great connection strength is not assured. You can buy these reload cards from any local store.Instructions are usually given behind the card and they may vary according to the company they were distributed from, but the basics are all the same. If you are not clear with the instruction, asking the store owner is the best option.

Emergency dials

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

Hospitals and pharmacies
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).



Go next

 * Anuradhapura &mdash; only 2 hours away from Mannar, Anuradhapura is a for its ancient ruins related to the Sinhalese and Tamils. Anuradhapura is also home to Sri Lanka's oldest tree, also considered a national treasure and a religious feature of Buddhism. You can reach the city by travelling via Medhawachchiya to the Talaimannar highway.
 * Jaffna&mdash; travelling from Mannar to Jaffna will take the minimum of 2 hours along the Mannar highway. Jaffna is a district that almost replicates the beauty and cultural diversity of Mannar. You can visit the elaborate ruins of the Jaffna kingdom, look around the bunkers of the LTTE and witness the devastation of the civil war. Jaffna has a wide variety of land and marine animals with scenic environments.