Batticaloa

Batticaloa Sri Lanka is a companion to “Mannar, Sri Lanka” published by the National Trust – Sri Lanka. Batticaloa which is on the Eastern coast and Mannar on the North Western coast were both major ancient ports mentioned in ancient chronicles as well as in foreign records and depicted on the earliest maps and charts. Both coasts are dominated by the colonial era enormous stone forts complete with ramparts and towers. They were strategically important ports because of the access they provided to the interior where the Lankan Kings in Anuradhapura and Kandy controlled the treasures of the island and the trade in spices and gems.

Contributing Authors: AyeshaAbdur-Rahman, Prince Casinader, Malathi de Alwis, Sarala Fernando, Paul Hogan, Asiff Hussein, Thangamuthu Jayasingam, Dharshana Jayawardena, Sarath Kotagama, Nishan Perera, Thavanayagam Mathiventhan, Anton Piyarathne, A. Thevarupan, Buddhini Wijesuriya, and Pali Wijeratne.

Principal photographers: Gehan de Silva Wijeratne, Luxshmanan Nadaraja, Devaka Seneviratne, Anu Weerasuriya and Christopher Silva – Consultant (Scientific) Dr. Malik Fernando