Jaffna Kingdom's Mantri Manai is to be renovated

Jaffna Kingdom's Mantri Manai. Pix: Wikipedia

The Jaffna Kingdom's Mantri Manai, one of the protected archaeological sites in the district is to be renovated after several decades with the approval of the Department of Archeology, according to a decision taken at the meeting Presided by Northern Governor P.S.M. Charles yesterday (15). 

A meeting was held at the Governor's Secretariat to resolve the longstanding issue of protecting the centuries-old archaeological site due to ownership of the land in which the site is located. 

Despite the site being declared as one of the protected archaeological sites in the district by a gazette notification issued in 2011, the land is owned by a private party- known as Madam Foundation. Several rounds of discussions were held in the recent past with regard to renovating the property without reaching any conclusive decisions. 

However,  during the meeting at the Secretariat, the Trustee of the Madam Foundation agreed to allow renovation of the building under administrative conditions. 

Accordingly, an agreement was reached between the parties to renovate the building based on the proposal put forward by the Department of Archelogy utilizing the funds from the Madam Foundation. 

A meeting presided by Northern Governor P.S.M. Charles on renovating Mantri Manai was held on AUgust 15, 2024 Pix: Governor's Secretariat

It was also decided at the meeting that based on the agreement reached, a letter has been sent from the regional office of the Department of Archelogy in Kilinochchi seeking approval to commence renovation works. 

Located near Saddanathar Kovil, the Mantri Manai (Mantri House) is believed to be a onetime royal - residence used in the Jaffna Kingdom, particularly during Jaffna King Sankiliyan's period. (Northeastern Monitor/ August 16/ 2024)