Manthirimani Must Be Preserved! It's Not Too Late! Let's Protect It! Let's Preserve History! - V.N.Giritharan -

The Jaffna 'Manthirimani' building, which was already in a state of disrepair due to insufficient maintenance, has suffered further damage from recent heavy rains. These visuals reveal its condition. We had the power to prevent this situation from befalling 'Manthirimani', but we failed to act. This is regrettable.

Buildings need to be preserved for many reasons. As structures belonging to a specific period, as expressions of architectural styles, as they are connected to historical events, and as the historical identity of a race – buildings must be preserved. In that sense, all these reasons apply to Manthirimani.

The architectural features of this building include both Dravidian and European architectural elements, the building materials used, and the period in which it was built. All these factors emphasize the necessity for this building to be considered and maintained as a historical monument. According to information on the facade of this building, it was constructed in 1890.

It is said that there was an underground passage belonging to this building, which has now been closed off. Further research on this should be conducted.

The land on which this building is located is named 'Sangilithoppu'. I observed this when examining the land survey department maps for this area. The fact that the land where this building stands is named Sangilithoppu and the building itself is called Manthirimani highlights its historical significance. Given the proximity to other historically important areas like Pandarakkulam, Sangiliyan Street, and Arasakesari Valavu, it appears to me that the area where this building is located must have held significance during the Tamil Kings' era in the following ways:

 

Since the northeastern part of the market (Muthirai Santhai) contains areas of divine significance, it is likely that areas of royal importance were largely concentrated in the northwestern region, including the area where Manthirimani is located. The fact that the land where this building stands is called Sangilithoppu suggests that there might have been a royal grove (Nanthavanam) for the Tamil kings during their period. After the era of Tamil kings, during the foreign rule when kings governed under foreign powers, it is possible that a minister's residence (Manai) was located there. Later, the area might have been purchased by a private individual towards the end of the nineteenth century. These are all reasonable and logical conjectures. Therefore, this building requires further in-depth studies. At the same time, it is one of the historical monuments that must be preserved.

Nallur Manthirimani, which once reminded history by its name, its architectural style, and its location, is an identity of Tamil history. It is essential that it be preserved. It is crucial for the Department of Archaeology and the Jaffna Municipal Council to raise adequate awareness on this matter and take action to protect this building. Private ownership issues related to the land must be resolved legally, and if their ownership is proven, appropriate compensation should be provided, and the Department of Archaeology or the Jaffna Municipal Council should take over the land.

We have lost many buildings and lands that should have been protected. The Ganga Chathiram of the old Jaffna market is one such example, as is the old fort area believed to have housed the Koppay Fort. It is important to ensure that Manthirimani does not join this list.