The history of Maniumpathy
Maniumpathy is a stately house which has been home to five generations of a family that originated from Manipay, Jaffna. During its history spanning over a century, the structure has evolved in stages. This is reflected in its subtly contrasting architectural elements that may be apparent to appreciators of Sri Lankan colonial era architecture.
The most recent owners renovated it with the intention of immersing guests in an atmosphere that recalls the legacy of generations past, a passage through a bygone colonial era. Each room is named after a woman from a different generation of the family.
“The name Maniumpathy is a tribute to the town of Manipay, the origins of the first owners.”
Manipay was a thriving and wealthy locality of Jaffna during the 19th century. By present day standards it might be compared to the Cinnamon Gardens district of Colombo. It was known as the paradise of Jaffna, a vista of verdant green paddy fields that stretched as far as the eye could see. Its people were a kindred society, well-educated and learned in various arts such as dancing, music and painting.
Savaranamuttu Hallock passed out as a surgeon from the University of Aberdeen and secured an appointment with the Ceylon Medical Service as a colonial surgeon. He purchased the property on Kynsey Road, home to many of Colombo’s eminent physicians and indeed a counterpart of Harley street of London in its day. It lay in close proximity to the General Hospital of Colombo, now the National Hospital of Sri Lanka.
His wife Annapuranie was the matriarch of the family, who not only found the time to raise nine children but also travelled by bullock cart around the island clearing jungle land. She planted one thousand acres of coconut estate so that each child had land to his or her name.
the family tree
Children of
the Hallock Family
Son-in law of Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan.
General Practitioner and Medical Officer of Health Colombo Municipal Council.Father in-law of Gen. Anton Muthukumaru- first Ceylonese Commander of the Sri Lankan Army.
Francis Hallock Wijenathen Passed out as an Engineer from University of London and on his return joined the Colombo Municipal Council. Among the projects to his credit are construction of the present town hall and the extension of the Buller Road from Colombo 7 to Colombo 4. His son Chuck Wijenathen was the first Sri Lankan International Director of Lions.
Motor Engineer.
Civil Servant .The youngest of the Hallock brothers and famous baritone of his time. Having trained by Professor Marlio de Veroli performed at the Royal Albert Hall, London with famed Paul Robeson. He had two daughters- Ranee and Cynthia Hallock.
Rasamuttu Hallock alias Thangam Founder , President and Manager of the Hindu Ladies College ( Saiva MangayaKalaham), Colombo.
Soundram Hallock married Irumarapilumthuiya Rasanayagam
