Mannar is one of the most barren and driest islands of Sri Lanka connected through a 3 km causeway to mainland. But this was one of the busiest towns in the ancient past when this area (Gulf Of Mannar) was one of the biggest pearl banks in the world, supplying massive amounts of pearls to the kings and queens throughout the world for over 2000 years. Over harvesting destroyed the pearl industry Hundreds of years ago.
Prior to the severe destruction by a cyclone in December 1964, Thalaimannar Pier was the terminus of a ferry service to India across the very shallow Palk Bay. The ferry service was part of the Indo-Lanka Railway service, where passengers were ferried between Talaimannar and Dhanushkodi on Rameswaram island in India. The pier was served by a station of the Sri Lanka Government Railway.
The new Talaimannar lighthouse ( Thalaimannar lighthouse) was built in 1915 and was 19m high. The tower has not been maintained during the recent past due to the war situation which existed for the last 30 years. After the defeat of the Tamil Tiger Terrorists, the light house has been repaired and this area is now accessible by the general public.
Here you will find the Talaimannar Pier, Talaimannar Railway and end of the rail line, the Light house and and the end of the A14 highway which starts from Medawachchiya. It is said that this is the only location in Sri Lanka where an A grade highway and railway line ends together.
Also See
Map of New Talaimannar Lighthouse
The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites
Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.
Travel Directions to Talaimannar Lighthouse
Route from Colombo to Talaimannar Lighthouse | Route from Anuradhapura Talaimannar Lighthouse |
Though : Chillaw – Puttlam – Pomparippu Distance : 290 km Travel time : 4-5 hours Driving directions : see on google map | Though : Madawachichiya distance : 150 km Travel time : 2.5-3.0 hours Driving directions : see on google map |
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