Chirutivu Island in Jaffna (යාපනයේ චිරුතිවු දූපත)

The west and south coast of Jaffna mainland is covered with a large number of islands and islets from large inhabited island to small mangrove and scrub islets mostly in very shallow water. Almost all the populated islands other than Delft and Nagadeepa (Nainativu) are connected though causeways and sometimes these causeways cut through smaller uninhabited islands as well. Chirutivu is one such uninhabited small island close the Jaffna peninsula from the east and and Mandativu from the west.

Chirutivu Island (Siruthivu Island) is a tear shaped island and covers 0.34 square kilometers (84 acres) having a circumference of 3.3 kms. It is situated 1 km away from the Jaffna mainland and 330 meters way from the Mandativu island. The island is covered by scrublands, mangroves and tidal flats.

About 10 years ago, this island was acquired by a company called Lotus Leaf Properties. This company is registered in the UK and is owned by a Sri Lankan (see the website here). The company plans to develop the island into a luxury eco-tourism resort.

In 2016 it was reported that this unplanned developments which included a road been constructed through the thickly grown already parted mangrove area to make a jetty for the transport of goods to build the resort. To build this road, a number of mangrove vegetations were cleared that an uncommon mangrove species Bruigyra was largely cutoff  leaving a single tree intact at present (Mangroves for the Future : MFF).

The current status of this resort project is unknown.

References

1. Developing socio-ecological profile of the Jaffna Lagoon (no date) Mangroves for the Future (MFF) – Investing in Coastal Ecosystems. Available at: http://www.mangrovesforthefuture.org/grants/small-grant-facilities/sri-lanka/phase-2-sgf-projects-lk/cycle-4-sgf-projects-lk/developing-socio-ecological-profile-of-the-jaffna-lagoon/ (Accessed: 22 May 2023).
2. Lotus Leaf Properties – London Property Developers (no date) Lotus Leaf Properties London Property Developers. Available at: https://www.lotusleafproperties.com/ (Accessed: 22 May 2023).
3. Www.statistics.gov.lk (no date) Department of Census and Statistics. Available at: http://www.statistics.gov.lk/statistical%20Hbook/2019/Batticaloa/GAsList.pdf (Accessed: 12 May 2023).

Also See

• Attractions of Sri Lanka
• Heritage of Sri Lanka
• Waterfalls of Sri Lanka
• Nature and Wildlife of Sri Lanka
• Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity

Map of Chirutivu Island in Jaffna

Travel Directions to Chirutivu Island in Jaffna

There is no causeway to this island from the mainland. Only access is through a 10 minute ride on a fishing boat.

Jaffna can be reached through 2 directions. The first one is over the Elephant Pass which is the normal route to Jaffna. The other entrance is from Pooneryn over the newly built Sangupiddi Bridge. This road connects to Mannar.

Route 01 from Colombo to Jaffna (Through Kurunegala)	Route 02 from Colombo to Jaffna (Through Puttalam)
Through : Kurunegala – Dambulla – Anuradhapura – Vavuniya Distance : 400 km Travel Time : 7-8 hours Driving Directions : see on Google map	Through : Puttalam – Anuradhapura – Vavuniya Distance : 400 km Travel Time : 7-8 hours Driving Directions : see on Google maps