Dondra Head Lighthouse (දෙවුන්දර තුඩුව ප්‍රදීපාගාරය)

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Located near the historic town of Dondra (also known as Devundara or Devinuwara), the southernmost tip of Sri Lanka is a place of great geographical, historical, and religious significance.

The Dondra Head Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Sri Lanka, standing 160 feet tall. Built in 1889 and designed by Sir James Nicholas Douglass, it was constructed by William Douglass of the Imperial Lighthouse Service. Operated today by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, the lighthouse features an octagonal white brick tower with a focal height of 153 meters. It’s light flashes every 5 seconds and has a range of 28 nautical miles, serving as an active aid to navigation.

Though some mistakenly refer to it as an offshore lighthouse, Dondra Head Lighthouse is located firmly on the mainland.

History of Dondra (Devinuwara)

Devinuwara, meaning “City of the Gods” in Sinhala (from “Devi” = gods and “nuwara” = city), was once considered the capital of Southern Sri Lanka. It has long been a sacred pilgrimage site, especially for devotees of Vishnu. A temple dedicated to Vishnu once stood here with a gleaming copper roof, but it was destroyed by the Portuguese in the colonial era. Despite this, the Devalaya (shrine) remains a place of devotion and hosts a grand annual festival, the Dondra Perahera, held during Esala (July–August).

The Dondra Head lighthouse was built by the British and ceremoniously lit for the first time on 8th February 1890. (Bingham, 1922, p. xx)

Dondra’s maritime location placed it on important historical sea routes, and it even inspired a 1955 American film titled Soldiers of Fortune: Pearls off Dondra Head, directed by John English. The film centers around two adventurers who discover a pearl bed near Dondra and embark on a diving expedition.

References

Bingham, P. M. (1922). History of the Public Works Department, Ceylon, 1796 to 1913: Vol. II–III. H. R. Cottle, Government Printer of Ceylon.

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Map of Dondra Head Lighthouse

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Travel Directions to Dondra Head Lighthouse at Matara

Route from Colombo to Dondra Lighthouse

Through : Southern Expressway – Galle – Matara
Distance : 170 km
Travel time : 3 hours
Driving directions : see on google map

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