Originally built by the Portuguese in 1628, The Batticaloa Dutch fort is one of the first maritime forts built in the eastern coastal region of Sri Lanka. The fort was used by the dutch as a stronghold for storing weapons and to secure the eastern coast from other colonisers. Despite their efforts, in the year 1638, the fort was captured by the Dutch and remained in their control for nearly a decade. During this time the dutch built additional fortifications to the fort with numerous bastions armed with cannons. Later in the year 1745, the fort fell under the siege of the British and subsequently the Dutch were defeated.
The fortifications remaining intact, the fort still lives on carrying its historic legacy and today it is being protected by the government as a heritage site. The fort today is home to several administrative departments and it is open for tourists as well. You could still see the dutch insignia on the walls of the fort and the cannons that were once used to protect the fort are also present at the site.
Just a few minutes tuk-tuk ride away from the Batticaloa town, the fort is an excellent place to witness a spectacular sunrise in Sri Lanka!
