Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, stated that development work in that area should be carried out while fully preserving and protecting the sanctity of the historically significant Keerimalai Theerthakkarai (Sacred Pond).
The event of handing over the ‘Thandigai Kanakanayaka Mudaliyar Madam’ property located at Keerimalai Sacred Theerthakkarai on a 100-year lease basis to the Valikamam North Pradeshiya Sabha took place today – on Friday 13 March 2026, in the morning. At this event, chaired by the Chairman of the Valikamam North Pradeshiya Sabha, S. Sugirthan, the Governor participated as the chief guest and made these remarks during his address.
This Madam, established in 1735 by Thandigai Kanakanayaka Mudaliyar, has been managed over generations as a trust property by his descendants. In this context, the remaining land area including the Mandapam where the deities rest, the Anthiyetti Mandapam, and two shops was officially handed over today by its owners to the Valikamam North Pradeshiya Sabha, considering future maintenance.
Speaking specially at the event, Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan further stated:
Keerimalai Theerthakkarai and the surrounding areas are highly sacred. We must carry out developments there while preserving and protecting the sanctity of that place. Handing over this historically significant Madam to the Pradeshiya Sabha is a very appropriate decision. Only if this property belongs to the Pradeshiya Sabha will they be able to carry out proper development work there. By bringing this Madam under proper administrative order, permanent solutions can be found for the various practical problems that people visiting here face daily.
Moreover, this area is a place with great tourism potential. Therefore, a large number of tourists will visit here. While developing the tourism sector, we must also preserve and protect the sanctity of this sacred land without any deficiency.
Even people from foreign countries come here to desolve the ashes of their relatives. With the noble intention of protecting and maintaining this highly significant place excellently in the future as well, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the family who handed it over to the Pradeshiya Sabha.
Many others participated in this historically significant event, including the Hon. Chairman of the Valikamam North Pradeshiya Sabha, the Divisional Secretary of the Valikamam North Divisional Secretariat, the Secretary of the Valikamam North Pradeshiya Sabha, Sivachariyars, the Chairman of the Sivaboomi Arakkaddalai Trust, well-wishers, and the general public.
