Trincomalee has long been renowned for containing one of the finest deep-water natural harbours found anywhere in the world! It was famed even during ancient times when the civilization was just starting to flourish here in Sri Lanka. In fact, during the Anuradhapura period, the harbour was visited by some of the most notable figures in world history – this included the intrepid explorer Marco Polo and the celebrated Greek geographer Claudius Ptolemy!
Trincomalee Harbour also served as a vital travel stop for ships sailing from the East to West. There are numerous records and archaeological evidence that suggest traders from China, India, Burma and a number of other regions regularly visited and passed through the harbour. The harbour’s central location within the Indian Ocean also meant that it was extremely valuable from a militaristic standpoint. This strategic importance would in many ways dictate the fate of the harbour and at times the country’s as well!
When the colonial powers of Europe began establishing their presence in Asia, their eyes immediately went to Sri Lanka and the Trincomalee Harbour. Whoever controlled this port had a significant advantage in controlling the Indian Ocean. The Portuguese, Dutch and the British all took turns controlling the harbour, with one supplanting another as the decades went by. There are a number of fortifications that they left behind that you can still observe during your visit to Trincomalee.
The Trincomalee Harbour continues to function today and is just as important for trade and seafaring in the Indian Ocean as it was all those centuries ago. You can wile away the time here, enjoying all the scenic beauty that surrounds you while gazing at the vessels coming in and out of the port.
