Valikamam West

Valikamam West (; ) is a Divisional Secretariat of Jaffna District, of Northern Province, Sri Lanka.

In official government records and statistical data, the division is referred to as Chankanai, after the administrative center.

Etymology

Although the modern Tamil words and can mean ''pain'' and ''lust'' respectively, the etymology of Valikamam is derived from the classical meanings of the words, as used in early Tamil inscriptions.

The name Valikamam () therefore translates to "the sandy village", whereas denotes the geographical marker.

It is derived from the words:

*
*

The word is no longer in common use but was historically found in Eezham Tamil place names. It shares linguistic roots with , , and . The word has been found in early Tamil inscriptions, including an 11th-century record at Velgam Vihara, Trincomalee, and a 12th-century Chola inscription at Thiruvalangadu, where ''Valikamam'' is explicitly mentioned as a village.

The name ''Valikamam'' is also linguistically equivalent to ''Manaltidar'' or ''Manarridal'', the ancient Tamil names for ''Jaffna'', which carry the same meaning of "sandy land."

According to the 16th-century Tamil literary work Santiago Kumara Ammanai, ''Valikamam'' was historically referred to

Geography

Valikamam West covers a total land extent of with a developable area of . The region is bordered by:

* East – Valikamam South West Pradeshiya Sabha and Valukkaiyaru Seasonal River.
* South – Jaffna Lagoon.
* West – Jaffna Lagoon.

Administrative Divisions

The Divisional Council Valikamam West was declared as an Urban Development Area under the UDA Act No.41 of 1978, as per Gazette Notification No. 2185/74 on 24 July 2020.

Valikamam is currently further divided into Grama Niladhari divisions, which serve as fourth-level administrative units.

Land Use

The land use of Valikamam West consists of residential areas, home gardens, agricultural land, and conservation zones as the primary components. Commercial activities are concentrated mainly in the Chankanai area.

Land Use Categories:

* Paddy fields cover 40.5% of the total land, forming the dominant land use.
* Home gardens constitute 32.38%, contributing to household-level agriculture.
* Residential areas make up 18%, reflecting growing urbanization.
* Water bodies (including ponds and small lakes) account for 2.63%.
* Palmyrah plantations cover 1.72%, playing a role in local industries.
* Marshy lands occupy 1.06%, providing environmental benefits.
* Roads take up 1.05%, ensuring connectivity.
* Commercial zones are relatively small, at 0.84%, mainly concentrated in Chankanai.
* Religious spaces, abandoned paddy fields, and institutional areas each hold less than 1% of the total land.

Chankanai Town is the key commercial hub of Valikamam West, with a mix of residential, institutional, and commercial land use.

Urban Development

The town of Chankanai is currently classified as a third-order city, and according to the Jaffna District Urban Development Plan 2034, it is expected to be upgraded to a second-order city. This reflects the development potential of Valikamam West.

History

The current division and its borders date back to Dutch colonial rule in the 18th century, which used the historical region names with a geographic suffix marker.

Jaffna peninsula was historically divided into the three regions of Vadamarachchi, Thenmarachchi and Valikamam, which today make up three regions of the Jaffna District.

During the Dutch colonial rule, ''Valikamam'' was referred to as Walligamo. Its sub-divisions were organised as parishes and recorded as follows: Changane (Chankanai), Aralie (Araly), Battoekottemeerkoe (Vaddukkoddai), and Moelaey (Moolai). These names have endured over the centuries and are still reflected in the present-day Grama Niladhari divisions.

Under British rule, the Dutch administrative framework was largely retained but restructured into a feudal system of counties known as Korales and Ratas. This system significantly influenced the evolution of Sri Lanka’s modern administrative divisions.

Following independence in the 20th century, ''Valikamam'' was incorporated into the Jaffna District under the newly reformed Sri Lankan administrative structure. Today, it remains an essential region within Northern Province, retaining its historical and cultural significance.

Demography

Valikamam West had a population of 46,438 in the 2012 census. Most of the residents of the town are Sri Lankan Tamils, with the majority being Hindus and a few Christians. The main language spoken is Tamil. There were 1130 females for every 1,000 males, higher than the national average of 1063.

A total of 7,731 were under age ten. As per the religious census of 2012, Valikamam West had 93.86% Hindus, 5.85% Christians, 0.23% Buddhists, 0.03% Muslims, 0.004% following other religions.

Government and politics

Each Divisional Council () in Sri Lanka functions as the local government authority for public administration, infrastructure, and essential services within its division. These councils operate under the Pradeshiya Sabha Act No. 15 of 1987 and were established following Sri Lanka’s 1987 administrative reforms, which replaced the former District Development Councils with the current Divisional Councils system.

Local Administration

The Valikamam West Divisional Council (VWDC) () is the local authority responsible for public services in the division, including roads, sanitation, housing, libraries, and public parks.

Following the suspension of local government elections in 1983 by the Sri Lankan government due to the civil war, elections for the council were first held in 1998. In 2011, after being administered by special commissioners for nearly a decade, elections were reinstated under the open-list proportional representation system. The last election was conducted in 2018.

2018 local government election

Results of the 2018 Sri Lankan local government election held on 10 February 2018:
! colspan=2, Party
! Votes
! %
! Seats
, -
, bgcolor=#FFD700,
, align=left, Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK)
, 8,119
, 34.44
, 9
, -
, bgcolor=#E75480,
, align=left, All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC)
, 5,638
, 23.91
, 6
, -
, bgcolor=#DC143C,
, align=left, Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP)
, 3,511
, 14.89
, 4
, -
, bgcolor=#228B22,
, align=left, United National Party (UNP)
, 3,109
, 13.19
, 3
, -
, bgcolor=#800080,
, align=left, Independent Group
, 1,408
, 5.97
, 2
, -
, bgcolor=#0000FF,
, align=left, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP)
, 1,279
, 5.42
, 1
, -
, bgcolor=#FF4500,
, align=left, Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF)
, 224
, 0.95
, 0
, -
, bgcolor=#8B0000,
, align=left, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)
, 198
, 0.84
, 0
, -
, bgcolor=#B22222,
, align=left, People's Liberation Front (JVP)
, 91
, 0.39
, 0
, -
! colspan=2, Valid ballots
! 23,577
! 100.0
! 25
, -
! colspan=2, Invalid ballots
! 506
! 2.1
!
, -
! colspan=2, Total polled
! 24,083
! 70.24
!
, -
! colspan=2, Electorate
! 34,292
!
!
, -
, colspan=7, Source
Department of Elections, Sri Lanka

This was also the first election under the mixed electoral system, where 60% of members were elected using first-past-the-post voting, while the remaining 40% were elected through closed-list proportional representation.

Transportation

Valikamam West has a well-developed transport infrastructure connecting it with Jaffna and the surrounding regions. The area's transport network consists of major roads, bus services, and proximity to railway connections.

Roads

The local authority is located 14.4 km from Jaffna town, and the division is served by several key roads:
* AB17 Road – connects Valikamam West with Karainagar Island, spanning a distance of 5 km.
* AB21 Road – links the region to Palaly International Airport, Kankesanthurai (KKS) Harbour, Keerimalai, and Valvettithurai, areas marked for future development.
* B437 Road – connects Vallai, Thellipalai, and Araly.
* Jaffna - Ponnalai - Point Pedro Road (AB21) – a major transport route facilitating connectivity with Northern Jaffna.

Public Transport

Bus services play a crucial role in the daily transport needs of the population. The following bus routes operate within Valikamam West:

* Routes 782, 785, 786, 740, 787 – These routes provide connectivity to Chunnakam and Chavakacheri, covering most settlements in the area.
* The Chankanai Bus Stand serves as the main transport hub for the division. However, it is located at the periphery of the administrative area, causing accessibility issues for some residents.

Railway

Although Valikamam West does not have a direct railway station, nearby railway services in Jaffna provide access to the region via the Northern Line, which connects to Colombo and other major cities.

Economy

As of 2024, Valikamam West has a labor force participation rate of 70%, a dependency ratio of 30%, and an unemployment rate of 16%.

The economy of Valikamam West is primarily based on agriculture, fisheries, industry, and services. The primary sector (agriculture & fisheries) accounts for 15% of employment, the secondary sector (industry & manufacturing) constitutes 58%, and the tertiary sector (services) makes up 27%.

Agriculture

Agriculture is a major sector, with 54% of families (8,300 households) engaged in farming. The Valikamam West Local Authority contributes 16% of the total paddy production in the Jaffna District.

Key agricultural products include:

* Red onions
* Gingelly (sesame)
* Manioc
* Black gram
* Green gram
* Chillies
* Beetroot

The region produces 4,765 metric tons of red onions annually, accounting for 25% of Jaffna District's total onion yield. Agricultural activities rely heavily on the Valkai Aru seasonal river and the local hydro system.

Fisheries

Fishing is another important sector, employing 1,632 families (11%). The region has nine fisherman cooperative societies operating under the local authority.

Valikamam West contributes 1.8% of Jaffna District's total fish production.

Industry

The secondary sector accounts for the largest share of employment at 58%. Key industries include:

* Food & beverages
* Wood & wood-based industries
* Tailoring & garment production
* Metal & aluminum works
* Leather-based products
* Cement production
* Beauty culture
* Handicrafts
* Light engineering
* Coir-based products
* Rubber & plastic-based industries

The tertiary sector, making up 27% of the economy, includes various services, retail businesses, and pottery.

Education

Valikamam West has a total of 34 provincial schools functioning under the local authority, along with one private school. However, there are no national schools in the area.

In 2022, the number of students in the region was 8,805. According to data from the Divisional Secretariat, the student-to-teacher ratio is 1:15, which aligns with national educational standards.

According to the Grama Niladhari Divisions Statistics - 2020, education facilities in Valikamam West include:

* Government or private schools with A/L classes: Valikamam West has 6 GN divisions with schools that provide G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) education.
* Government or private schools with O/L classes: A total of 22 GN divisions in Valikamam West have schools offering G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) education.
* Kindergarten / Pre-school / Early Childhood Development Centers: The division has 24 GN divisions with facilities for early childhood education.

Health

The region has seven state-run public healthcare and medical institutions, including two divisional hospitals, two primary medical care units, one Medical Officer of Health (MOH) office, and two public health clinic centers.

Located in Chankanai Town, Chankanai Divisional Hospital is a Peripheral Unit government hospital with 76 beds as of 2010. It is managed by the Northern Provincial Council in Jaffna and is the only hospital in the Northern Province that provides telemetry services for neurorehabilitation.

The public healthcare services in Valikamam West play a crucial role in ensuring medical support for the local population, providing access to both primary care and specialized treatments.

Visitor attractions

Valikamam West is home to several historical and cultural sites, including ancient temples, forts, and natural landmarks.

Attractions include

* Sampil Thuray (Sampu Natha Eswaram) – A historic temple located in Sampil Thurai, under Chulipuram East
* Thiruvady Nilai – A religious site in Thiruvady Nilai, Chulipuram East
* Ponnalai Varatharaja Perumal Kovil – A Vaishnavite temple situated in Ponnalai
* Paralai Eswar Vinayagar Kovil – A prominent Ganesha temple in Paralai, Chulipuram East
* Chankanai Fort / Ancient Church – Located in Chankanai South, this site includes remnants of colonial-era architecture.
* Araly Thurai – A coastal site in Araly East
* Thunaivi Ancient Sivan Kovil – An old Shiva temple in Thunaivi, Sangarathai
* Vaddukoddai South Indian Church – A Christian church in Vaddukoddai South West
* Sangarathai Aavuronchy Stone – A historical stone monument in Sangarathai.
* Sithankeny Pond – A natural pond in Sithankeny
* Valukkai Aru – A seasonal river that plays an important role in local agriculture, located in Araly North East
* Sangamittha Bo-Tree – A sacred Buddhist site in Chulipuram East

Notable people

* A. Amirthalingam (1927–1989), Sri Lankan Tamil politician and leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), born in Pannagam.
* S. Pathmanathan (born 1940), Sri Lankan Tamil historian and current Chancellor of the University of Jaffna, born in Araly.

References

Divisional Secretariats Portal
*

{{Divisional Secretariats of Sri Lanka - Northern Province

Valikamam
Divisional Secretariats of Jaffna District