| |
TRINCOMALEE
165 miles from Colombo, is one of the largest and safest
Natural Harbours in the World. Trincomalee is connected by
Rail and Road. It has sunny weather throughout the year,
with white sandy beaches, calm, placid and warm waters,
ideal for underwater activities and for Whale watching.
Trincomalee was a Buddhist Center known as “Gokanna” from
very early times and later a Hindu Kovil was constructed at
the site. In 1617 five (5) Danish ships entered Koddiyar
Bay, but the negotiations with the Kandyan King was
fruitless and they sailed away. In 1624 the Portuguese
completed the construction of a Fort here after destroying
the Hindu Temple at Swami Rock in the Fort. The Fort, which
had only 3 Bastions was taken by the Dutch in 1639, but
abandoned, re-fortified in 1675 and named it Fort Fedrick.
In 1795 the British captured it after a 4-day bombardment
and it became the first possession of the British in Sri
Lanka. Nilaveli-10 miles away are the finest beach in
Trincomalee starting at Uppuveli- 5 miles away extending all
the way to Nilaveli. Pigeon Island is a great place for
Diving, Snorkeling and sea bathing. Velgam Vehera – 6 miles
away near Periyakulam Tank is the Temple known to Hindus as
Natanar Kovil dating from the 2nd C.A.D. After the Chola
Invasion Hindu contributions helped restore it as a Buddhist
Temple. There are 7 Hot Spring at Kanniyai just 5 miles away
on the Anuradhapura road. Thiriyai Vata-da-ge is 30 miles to
the North of Trincomalee and is one of the best monuments in
Sri Lanka.
Fort Fredrick (Fort of Triquillimale)
is a fort built by Portuguese colonials at Trincomalee,
Eastern Province, Sri Lanka, completed in 1624 CE, built on
Swami Rock-Konamamalai from the debris of the world famous
ancient Hindu Koneswaram temple (Temple of a Thousand
Pillars).
|
|
|
The temple was destroyed by the
Portuguese colonial Constantino de Sa de Noronha under
Phillip IV, occupier of theJaffna kingdom and Malabar
country on the island. On the Konamalai cape was also built
a new village of Portuguese and Tamil people, 50 Portuguese
soldiers and inside the fort, a church named after "Nossa
Senhora de Guadalupe". The Fort of Triquillimale was
dismantled and rebuilt by the Dutch in 1665, renamed Fort
Fredrick.
Lover’s Leap
This is located on top of Swami Rock, next to the Koneswaram
temple. This vantage point commemorates the tragic end of a
love affair. This point is situated at an abrupt end of a
rocky cliff that is 350 feet above sea level. The daughter
of an Old Dutch general named Francina Van Rhede who
attempted to commit suicide when her lover abandoned her and
sailed back to Europe, is the legend behind this famous
site. However she survived the fall and according to
government archive records she subsequently got married
after eight years. However till to this day there is a
shelter and a memorial built to commemorate Francine Van
Rhede. If the conflicted history of this site is not of
interest to visitors, this site should be visited for the
magnificent sites it has to offer.
|
|
Hot Spring
Among the sights of the place are the seven hot springs of
Kanniyayi, on the road to Trincomalee. About a mile on a
side road branching from the main route, the springs are
worth a visit. A high wall assembles all the seven springs
in a rectangular enclosure. Each enclosed in a dwarf wall
forms a well of its own. The water is mildly hot; the
temperature varies but slightly in each. In effect, a public
bathing resort, the use of the springs is controlled by the
neighboring Mari Amman Kovil who holds the lease of the
wells. The site of the springs is crown land.
Batticaloa Lagoon
Batticaloa lagoon is a very large estuarine lagoon in
Batticaloa district, east Sri Lanka. The city of Batticaloa
is located on land between the lagoon and the Indian Ocean.
Batticaloa district is flourished with three lagoons such as
Batticaloa lagoon, Valachchihenai lagoon and Vakari lagoon.
Among them, Batticaloa lagoon is the largest longest and
narrowest lagoon situated in the east cost of Sri Lanka with
the total area of approximately 11 500 HA of water. |
|
