Fonds LK-NA/31 - Mannar Kachcheri

In 1802 Mannar was a district in the Northern Province under the control of a Revenue Officer, The district was formed into a separate collectorship in 1806 under a collector. This collector was a senior civil servant who replaced the traditional dissawas in provincial administration.
On the recommendation of the Colebrooke Commission, the office of the collector was abolished. In 1839, it was placed under an Assistant Government Agent, who was directly responsible to the Government Agent of Northern Province.
The military and civil duties exercised by the Dissawa were separated. Accordingly, the collection of revenue, the maintenance of law and order through headmen system, the enforcement of the cast services, and extraction of tile customary services were entrusted to the collector. All the regulations of the government were published and enforced through the kachcheri.
The kachcheri was made the coordinating office and the collector functioned as the contacting officer between the British Government and the natives.
By the end of the 19th century there were separate sections in the kachcheri for the general administration, revenues, land matters, native affairs, irrigation, local government, social service, health etc.
The divisions of Illipaikaduwui, Kilakumnnai, North and Odiyasor were attached to manner district. In 1867, the two latter divisions were transferred to Mullaitivu district. In 1898, the two pattus of Panankaman ancl Metkumunai forming part of the Vavuniya district were annexed to the Mannar District.
The administrative district Act No.22 of 1955 made Mannar under Government Agent. This administration remained unchanged upto 1990.