Chilaw Survey Tower Built by the British (හලාවත මිනින්දෝරු කුළුණ)

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Chilaw Survey Tower Built by the British

During the period of British colonialism, an impressive infrastructure was developed in many regions under British control. Among the numerous constructions, Survey Towers (also known as Triangulation Stations or Trigonometrical Stations) were crucial for mapping and surveying the land. These tall structures served as essential observation points for surveyors and have since become historical landmarks, leaving a lasting legacy.

According to legend, the tower was built by the Dutch. However, it was the British who systematically began surveying the land of Ceylon. Consequently, all the Trigonometrical Stations scattered around the country were constructed by the British.

The Survey Tower at Chilaw has stood on the beach, exposed to the sea breeze, for possibly a century or more. It is built on a square platform and consists of three cylindrical towers stacked one on top of another. Similar cylindrical survey towers can be found in Kudarappu and Analaitivu in the Jaffna Peninsula, Negombo (though it has been destroyed), Katunayake, and Mannar.

The tower is composed of three cylinders stacked one on top of another. As the tower rises, the circumference of each cylinder decreases while the height of each cylinder increases. On one side of the tower, a series of rusted steel loops, intended to be used as steps for climbing, can be found.

Exactly 450 meters south of this pillar, on the beach of Chilaw lies another artefact from the Survey Department of Ceylon. Two circular rings lie on another circular base in the Beach. The structure is made of cement and concrete. CHILAW STAGE, 1927, SURVEY DEPT is clearly engraved on the first ring. With a 4-4½ foot height, whether this was another survey pillar is not clear.

Also See

Historic Survey Towers of Sri Lanka

Map of Chilaw Survey Tower

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Traveling Directions to Chilaw Survey Tower

From Mannar to Chilaw Survey Tower

Via : Katunayake Expressway – Marawila
Total distance : 83 km
Duration : 2.15 hours
Time to spend : About 10-15 minutes
Driving Directions : View on Google Maps

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Chilaw Survey Tower Built by the British (හලාවත මිනින්දෝරු කුළුණ)
The Survey Tower at Chilaw has stood on the beach, exposed to the sea breeze, for possibly a century or more. It is built on a square platform and consists of three cylindrical towers stacked one on top of another. Similar cylindrical survey towers can be found in Kudarappu and Analaitivu in the Jaffna Peninsula, Negombo (though it has been destroyed), Katunayake, and Mannar. […]
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Also See

Map of Chilaw Survey Tower

Traveling Directions to Chilaw Survey Tower

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