Amrith Gnanam unravels magic of Mannar through ‘Discover Mannar’

Mannar, a place always considered a little piece of heaven especially tucked away for the most avid traveller, got a new detailed sketch done by Amrith Gnanam who launched the travel guide book ‘Discover Mannar’ at the Barefoot Gallery. The book ‘Discover Mannar’, launched amidst an exclusive gathering of friends and family who were joined by prominent travel and wildlife enthusiasts, focuses the limelight on the quaint coastal town abundant in unique geography, dramatic folklore and an amazing environment.

Mannar has fascinated many a visitor for centuries as a birding hotspot, yet there exists a potpourri of hidden attractions to enchant every type of traveller whether it’s a birding enthusiast, archaeology fanatic or an adventure seeker. Amrith paints a vivid picture of this miniature paradise drawn after extensive research and fervent exploration done over many years. He describes everything one needs to know about the Gulf of Mannar, with its rich biodiversity and complex ecosystems, created thanks to a unique mixture of forests, inland wetlands, coastal, marine and agricultural lands that are neatly tucked in a rustic bundle.

The first copy of the travel guide was presented to Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda, one of Sri Lanka’s leading naturalists and a taxonomist on freshwater fish of Sri Lanka. Dr. Pethiyagoda, a leading light in biodiversity exploration in Sri Lanka, while accepting the first copy of the travel guide thanked the team behind ‘Discover Mannar’, for dedicating their time and energy to publish a dossier about one of Sri Lanka’s lesser known landscapes rich in both natural and man-made history. He further articulated the importance of documenting living history including our rich biodiversity, with the intention of attracting real nature lovers and for future generations to refer, which ultimately contributes to conservation. The travel guide comes very close to a coffee table book complete with a captivating collection of photographs by the author himself and his two collaborators, Ajith Ratnayaka, little-known yet outstanding nature photographer and celebrated naturalist Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne. The three of them each give a unique perspective to walk the traveller through a picturesque idyll all set to charm everyone who is interested to ‘Discover Mannar’.

The author Amrith Gnanam is a product of Deakin University, Australia, and has specialised in Environmental Studies which fuels his passion to explore nature. Amrith’s fascination for Mannar was sparked by his father, an ardent photographer who found it to be one of the best birding spots in Sri Lanka. Amrith gives life to his wish to publish his own book with Discover Mannar, enriching it with his experiences gathered while travelling extensively across exotic locations steeped in nature.

Contributing to showcase Mannar in the book as the nature lover’s haven with amazing wildlife is Ajith Ratnayaka a well-known nature enthusiast. Ajith shares a rare set of photos taken during his many visits to Mannar, covering the full range of forgotten places of historical importance, the natural beauty of the island and a vast variety of migratory and local endemic birds. Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, no stranger to wildlife and photography, and a champion of the cause to make Sri Lanka an all-round wildlife destination, provides his take on Mannar with his insightful knowledge. Gehan who paved the way for many Sri Lankans to pursue fulltime careers in wildlife tourism, describes the hidden potential of Mannar as a tourist hub that is yet to be fully explored.

‘Discover Mannar’ as the ultimate traveller’s guide book will be available at the Barefoot Gallery and all other leading bookstores, ready to enchant its readers to rediscover Mannar in a new light. Guests at the launch event were able to get their copy autographed by the author while mingling with likeminded travel experts who reprised their fascinating memories of Mannar.

The sponsors of the book launch event The Palmyrah House, a boutique villa designed as one with its surrounding environment, is known to have introduced luxurious comfort coupled with top-notch hospitality to Mannar. By partnering Amrith for the launch, the luxury retreat wishes to position ‘Discover Mannar’ as the ultimate traveller’s guide, with the hope of enticing the reader to come explore the mesmerising isle and enjoy its beauty while indulging in relaxing comfort.

Strategically situated roughly at the centre of Mannar Island making all points of the area easily accessible, Palmyrah House offers many excursions to get a taste of all what Mannar has to offer. They have earned a reputation for being ever ready with fully certified naturalists, who will introduce the visitor to some of the country’s most exotic feathered friends which makes it one of the choicest locations for birding. If your favourite distractions are to be found in history, architecture and culture, their guides are also very knowledgeable on the spectacular historical and natural sites of the surrounding areas. For the more adventurous type kite surfing has been introduced to Mannar for the first time, while the hotel will provide the necessities for diving and snorkelling around the coral reefs in the area.  

For anyone looking to get away from it all, Palmyrah House is the ideal sample of tranquillity created just for you, in the beautiful North West corner of Sri Lanka. And the travel guide book ‘Discover Mannar’ by Amrith Gnanam, promises to be the handy guide through your journey.

Pix By Ruwan Walpola