Located on the northern tip of Sri Lanka, overlooking the serene Jaffna Lagoon, Jaffna Fort stands as one of the most impressive and well-preserved examples of colonial military architecture on the island. Originally built by the Portuguese in 1618 under King Cankili II, the fort was later captured and expanded by the Dutch in 1658, and subsequently occupied by the British in 1795.
Constructed in a star-shaped design typical of European forts of the era, Jaffna Fort was strategically positioned to defend the northern maritime routes and maintain control over the Jaffna Peninsula. Its massive limestone ramparts, moats, and bastions once housed churches, barracks, and administrative buildings — remnants of which still stand today.
Though heavily damaged during the civil conflict, extensive restoration efforts have revived much of its grandeur. Today, visitors can walk along the fort’s wide walls, take in panoramic views of the lagoon, and explore its quiet inner courtyards that echo stories of centuries past.
Jaffna Fort is not merely a relic of colonial rule — it is a resilient symbol of Sri Lanka’s layered history, where cultures, empires, and faiths have all left their mark.
