King Sangiliyan's Statue — Attraction in Northern Province

Cankili II was the last king of the Jaffna kingdom. In 1617 king Ethirimana Cinkam died. After his death there were three claimants to the throne. One was Cankili II, a nephew of the king. The other two claimants were the king's brother Arasakesari and a powerful chieftain Periye Pillai Arachchi. Ethirimana Cinkam's son, a minor who was proclaimed as king by kings brother Arasakesari. Cankili II killed the claimants for the throne and other princes of royal blood and usurped the throne.

In 1619, two Portuguese military attacked the Jaffna kingdom, naval troops commanded by Khem Nayak, ground troops commanded by Filipe de Oliveira.

Cankili's remaining soldiers were beheaded by Portuguese. Cankili himself was taken to Goa and was sentenced to death.

The Sangiliyan statue was dedicated to Cankili II. The statue is seen as a landmark of the city of Jaffna. The Sangiliyan statue was built 1974 at Muthirai junction Nallur and declared open by then Jaffna Mayor Alfred Duraiappah. On 2011 was the statue removed and a new statue was built at the same place. The new statue was declared open by Jaffna Mayor Mrs. Yogeshwarai Patkunarajah and Minister...

Upon the death of Ethirimanna Cinkam in 1617, multiple people laid claim to the throne, of which Cankili II⁠—the dead king’s nephew—was one, along with the former king’s brother and an influential chieftain. But eventually, the king’s son was named regent instead. Cankili II then had all claimants as well as all the princes killed, and took the throne for himself, proclaiming himself as king of the Jaffna kingdom.

But the Portuguese colonists who had settled in Colombo didn’t recognise his reign, and barely two years later, he was executed by the Portuguese. And so came the abrupt end to a long line of Aryacakravarti kings who had ruled over Jaffna for over three centuries.

Following his execution, the palace was destroyed, leaving nothing but the tell-tale foundations. The Sangiliyan Thoppu, being all that remains, is a silent monument to the once-great kingdom of Jaffna. For those who are intrigued by its fascinating history, a tour of the palace ruins the Sangiliyan Thoppu is sure to...

King Sangiliyan II: The statue is dedicated to Cankili II, the last king of the Jaffna Kingdom. He is a figure of historical importance in the region. Location: The statue is located at Muthirai Junction in Nallur, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. This makes it a prominent landmark within the city. Historical Context: The original statue was erected in 1974. It has undergone changes, with a new statue being built in 2011. There has been some controversy surrounding the changes made to the statue during its rebuilding. Significance: The Sangiliyan statue serves as a historical marker, reminding people of the Jaffna Kingdom's past. It is a point of interest for those interested in the history of the...