The ruins of the Sitawaka Fort and the palace of King Rajasinghe 1 can be seen by the side of the Avissawella – Panawala road — this being the same route to the Maniyangama Raja Maha Viharaya.
With regard to the Ruwanwella Fort, it is said that the Portuguese, in the 1590s, had a fortified base camp here and the Dutch, in 1665, built a wooden fort here but abandoned it a few years later.
Ratnapura Portuguese Fort lies on the grounds of the Maha Saman Devalaya which was destroyed by the Portuguese around 1618-20. This fort was destroyed By King Rajasinghe II (1635 – 1687) of Kandyan Kingdom
Pooneryn Fort was built in the north portion of the island first by the Portuguese to protect its possessions in Jaffna, it was expanded by the Dutch till in 1770.
The Portuguese fort that stood where the current Negombo Fort is situated was mostly destroyed by cannon during the Dutch siege in 1644. The Dutch fort was built on its ruins, not on the usual square pattern, but on a pentagonal one, though it had only four bulwarks. The fifth one was never bui
The old town of Matara is located on a land tongue between the ocean and a green lagoon, and is protected on the landside by Matara Fort, a 13 meter thick, 5 meter high rampart. On all other sides it is unprotected apart from the natural barrier of the water.
Though the Martello Tower at Hambantota is not spread in a large area, it could also be considered as a defense watchtower. Generally believed to be a Dutch fortification, but actually built by Capt. Goper of the Army Engineers during the British Period.
Built on the island of Mannar in Sri Lanka by the Portuguese in 1560, Mannar Fort surrendered to the Dutch on 22 February 1658 and was rebuilt by the Dutch in 1696. On 5 October 1795 the Dutch surrendered to the British.
Koddiyar Fort was a partly built fort by the Dutch t in 1622 with the permission from the King Senarat of Kandy but the Portuguese who were in control of Trincomalee destroyed this partly built fort.
Katuwana Fort is a internal fort built by invading forces to counter attacks from Kandy in the Katuwana divisional secretary of Hambantota District. It was built in 1645 A.D by the Dutch.
At the extreme tip of the Kalpitiya is the Kalpitiya Fort, built in 1667, on the spot where the Portuguese had a stockade and a Jesuit chapel. The fort is is now a Sri Lankan Navy base.
Situated on the south side of the Jaffna peninsula at the water’s edge of the lagoon, the ancient Jaffna Fort is the second largest existing fort in the Island. Originally built by the Portuguese in 1619 and re-built and expanded by the Dutch during the second half of the 17th and the 18th centuries.
Once a vital river crossing to Kandy, Hanwella’s story spans kingdoms and empires. From Sitawaka stronghold to Portuguese, Dutch, and British fortifications, its strategic importance never waned. Visit the Rest House grounds today and see traces of the old fort—and the royal jack tree still standing proud.
Fort Ostenburg, hidden within Trincomalee’s forested ridge, is a little-known stronghold shaped by Portuguese, Dutch, and British power struggles. Once a strategic lookout commanding the inner harbour, it now lies largely forgotten, its ruins echoing centuries of conflict, alliances, and shifting colonial ambitions.
Fort Macdowall was built by the British in the town of Matale in 1803 as an out post during the Kandian Wars. The fort was named after General Macdowall, who led the expedition to the Kingdom of Kandy, it is one of the few forts build inland.
Strategically perched on a coral outcrop, Hammenhiel Fort guarded the Jaffna Lagoon. Originally Portuguese, it was captured by the Dutch in 1658 after a water shortage forced surrender. Named for its position on the “heel” of Ceylon’s ham-shaped map, this octagonal water fort now serves as a unique boutique hotel.
Haldummulla lies about 175 km off the capital of Colombo at a elevation of about 1200 metres. The Portuguese fort of Haldummulla existed in the early 17th century between Haldummulla and Idalgashinna.
Centuries ago when Lanka was ruled by the Sinhalese Kings, ‘Gaalla’ or Galle was the old world’s romantic city which owed its glory to its natural harbour.
Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a stunning blend of European architecture and South Asian traditions. Enclosed by massive stone bastions, its cobblestone streets lead to colonial villas, chic boutiques, and historic churches. Walking the ramparts at sunset offers breathtaking ocean views and a timeless cultural experience.
The Dutch were the first to erect a fort at Elephant Pass. It was more like a stockade or a watch post. Though well fortified and built with strong defenses the extent of the fortifications were much smaller to that of Galle or Jaffna forts.
