Introduction
Vankalai or Vangalai or Vangkaalai is a predominantly fishing and farming village
situated in Mannar District of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. It lies along
the Naanaattan Road with the sea on its west connects to Indian Ocean. Its northern
boundary is the historic Hindu shrine of Thiru Ketheeswaram.
History
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 8,000. Vankalai is inhabited
mainly by members of the Bharatha community.
The Portuguese invasion and destruction of the Tamil territories between 1505–1658
caused most of Mannar including villages such as Vankalai to become Catholic villages.
In the center of this village there is a huge ancient Catholic church called Our
Lady of St. Anne's Church.
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