Jaffna Guide
Sunset over the Jaffna Lagoons |
Jaffna is the capital city of the Northern Province, Sri Lanka.
It is located in the most northern region of the island of Sri Lanka.
The Jaffna peninsula is almost an island itself connected to the main
island over an causeway at a Place called "Ali Mankada" or Elephant
Pass in English. This was so named since this was indeed the route used
by elephants to travel between the peninsula and the main island in the
ancient past. The peninsula itself is a number of islands connected
though causeways.
Souviors at Nallur Kovil |
The peninsula has a history dating back to the pre christian times with
the port of
Dambakola
patuna
in the northern sea being one of the major
ports of Sri Lanka connecting India. According to Mahawansa, the great
chronicle of Sri Lanka, In 250 BC the
sapling from the
original Sri Maha Bodhi
was brought to Sri Lanka though the port of Jambukola Patuna now
called the
Dambakola
Patuna.
Jaffna was a predominatly a tamil area with a small minority of Singhalese
and Muslims until 1970's. Ethnic Cleansing by by the Tamil LTTE Terrorists
in the 70's have left the Jaffna almost exclusively Tamil,
apart from the military personnel today.
After almost 30 years of Civil war, the LTTE was completely wiped out in
2008 and now this area has been open to civilian travel after a period
of 30 years.
Where to go in Jaffna
Driving Directions to Jaffna
Route 01 from Colombo
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Route 02 from Colombo
|
|
Though : Puttlam - Anuradhapura - Vavunia
distance :407 km
Travel time : 7-8 hours
Driving directions :
see on google map
|
Through : Kurunegala - Anuradhapura - Vavunia
distance : 410 km
Travel time : 7-8 hours
Driving Directions :
see on google maps
|
Created :February 23, 2010
Updated :
November 20, 2010
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