Jaffna

Jaffna is one of the oldest human settlements, located in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, with an estimated population of 88,138, it is the 12th largest city and the second most populated city in Sri Lanka and it was also an important Portuguese colonial hold.

 

The Dutch Fort that still dominates the Jaffna skyline is spread over an area of 22 hectares within the city limits. The star shaped Jaffna Fort built in 1680 by the Dutch is considered as the best example of Dutch fortifications in Asia.  

 

In Delft Island (Neduntivu islet) 35 kms from the city is the Delft Fort built by the Portuguese. Behind the Fort is a beautiful beach with exquisite shells. A ferry service connects the largest island in the Palk straits with the mainland.  

 

The architecture of the Kandaswamy Kovil in the Nallur quarter of the city has been built in the South Indian Dravidian style. The shrine which stood on the site before its destruction by the Portuguese dates back to the 10th century.  

 

At Kantarodai, there are about 100 miniature dagobas or stupas crowded in to an area of about one hectare. The diameter of the largest stupa is approximately 4 meters. These are believed to be 2000 years old.

 

Nagadeepa is a small island an hour’s journey by boat from the city. The Buddhist temple recently restored is a temple revered by Buddhists of Sri Lanka who believe that it was visited by the Buddha.    

 

The city was the epicenter of a decade’s long conflict that has now ended. Blooming with smiles credited to the rapid growth in the area, the city was exposed to the most violent war shocks for 30 years. As a result, Jaffna was left untouched by modernization and so much of the town is time-locked in the 50's, from the buildings to the old Morris Minor cars that run its streets.