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Kankesanthurai Fort is a lesser-known but historically significant fort located in the northern part of Sri Lanka, near the town of Kankesanthurai in the Jaffna Peninsula. This region is rich in history, with influences from various colonial powers, including the Portuguese, Dutch, and British.
The original fort at Kankesanthurai was built by the Portuguese during their colonial period in Sri Lanka, which lasted from 1505 to 1658. The Portuguese built several forts in strategic locations across the island including in to defend their territories from local kingdoms and other colonial powers. However, the fort was not possibly completed.
The Dutch took control of the island from the Portuguese in the mid-17th century. They expanded and modified many existing forts, including those in the Jaffna Peninsula. Kankesanthurai Fort, however, does not seem to have undergone significant changes during the Dutch period compared to other more prominent forts like the Jaffna Fort.
Lewis (1916) leaves a brief description of this fort and more importantly a plan of the fort.
On the way here from Punnalai we passed Kankesanturai and the ruins of its Portuguese fort. The two bastions, running into the sea, are pounded by the breakers of the northeast monsoon and are gradually succumbing to them–though they are very substantially built, and their disintegration is but a gradual process. It is supposed that the fort was begun by the Portuguese but never finished, as they abandoned the site for Jatfna, The walls, which certainly have an unfinished appearance, now enclose the Customs premises, and opposite the eastern bastion is the new Rest-house. A plan of the fort is annexed.
The eastern basitan today is inside Thal Sevana Resort which was opened after Jaffna was liberated in 2009. The western bastian is near the Kankesanthurai Lighthouse. Here parts of the massive walls built by the Portuguese can be still seen fallen off to the sea.
References
- Lewis, J. P. (1916). Some Notes on Archaeological Matters in the Northern Province. The Ceylon Antiquary and Literary Register, II Part II : (1916), 94–99..
Also See
- Forts and Fortifications of Sri Lanka
- Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of Point Pedro Fort in Jaffna
The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites
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Travel Directions to Point Pedro Fort in Jaffna
Jaffna can be reached through two principal routes. The most commonly used approach is via Elephant Pass, which has long served as the traditional gateway to the Jaffna Peninsula.
An alternative route reaches Jaffna from the direction of Pooneryn by crossing the Sangupiddy Bridge. This crossing follows what was historically the ancient route to the peninsula before the construction of modern highways. The route provides a connection between Jaffna and the Mannar region.
| Route 01 from Colombo to Jaffna Through Kurunegala (Popular Route) | Route 02 from Colombo to Jaffna Through Puttalam and Pooneryn (Lesser Traveled Route) |
| Through : Kurunegala – Dambulla – Anuradhapura – Vavuniya Distance: 410 km Travel Time: 7-8 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps. | Through: Puttalam – Thantirimale – Mannar – Poonaryn Distance: 408 km Travel Time: 8 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps. |
| Route from Jaffna to Ruins of Kankesanthurai Portuguese Fort |
| Though : Point Perdo road Distance : 18 km Travel time : 30 mins Driving directions : see on Google map |
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