Vankalai

Vankalai - (Vangkaalai)

vaṅkālai

Vankalai is a pre- dominantly fishing and farming village situated in Mannar Distrcit, North _East Province of Sri Lanka. It lies along the Naanaattan road with the sea on its west connects to Indian Ocean. It’s northern boundary is the historic Hindu shrine Thirukketheeeswaram . Vankalai is a Christian village with Roman Catholics being more than 99 % and Protestant groups comprising the remainder. Vankalai has become now one the largest village in Mannar. Currently its population figure is a little over 8000. Vankalai is inhabited mainly by members of the Bharatha community. Vankalai is a blend of “Neithal” (fishing region) and “Marutham” ( agrarian lands). Apart from fisheries and farming there is also an educational and professional tradition. There are a number of teachers, government officials , clergymen and professionals from the area. Former principals Peries Master, Vaz Master and Leena Master are also from Vankalai. Even now many top bureaucrats of the Mannar district hail from Vankalai.