Kilinochchi - Mulativu Route - Landmarks of Brutal Terrorism

It should be noted that most of the sites discussed here have since been completely destroyed, with little or no trace remaining. Consequently, these war-related relics are no longer visible or accessible to visitors.

This area remained a stronghold of the LTTE terrorists for approximately 30 years before being brought under government control in 2008. Today, visitors can see some of the significant remnants of the three-decade-long armed conflict, including sites and remains that were previously inaccessible to the general public.

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While Kilinochchi was not subject to restrictions on public access, access to Mullaitivu was previously limited to local residents. Foreign visitors were subject to additional restrictions and could enter the area only with special permission from the army. These restrictions have since been lifted, and the area is now open to free movement.

Water tank destroyed by the LTTE Terrorists in Kilinochchi [now destroyed]

Water tank destroyed by the LTTE in Kilinochchi

During the final stages of the conflict, the LTTE terrorists were forced to withdraw from Kilinochchi, which it had declared as its administrative capital. On 31 December 2008, shortly before leaving the city, the LTTE terrorists destroyed the large water tank that had supplied clean drinking water to the city. As Kilinochchi is located in Sri Lanka’s Dry Zone, access to water was particularly important for the Tamil civilian population living in the area. The remains of the collapsed water tank subsequently lay where they had fallen, becoming a visible reminder of the destruction caused by the conflict.

For visitors beginning their journey from Kilinochchi, this location was previously one of the first points of interest.

Update

The remains of the water tower were removed in 2020 by the Department of Water Supply to make way for a new building. Consequently, this war-related monument no longer exists and cannot be visited today.

Visuvamadu Prison Complex of the Terrorists (not open to the public now)

Visuvamadu Prison Complex of the terrorists on Kilinochchi - Mulativu Route

Travelling north along the A9 Highway and turning towards Mullaitivu at Paranthan, one of the first sites encountered was the former prison complex run by the LTTE terrorists near the Visuvamadu Tank. The complex consisted of 60 small individual cells and six larger cells intended for groups. Opened in 2006 by the LTTE intelligence chief Pottu Amman, the facility was reportedly used to detain civilians and LTTE members who violated or resisted the LTTE’s rules and authority.

The prison complex consists of two rows of cells, with the walls covered in written and graphical messages left by Muslim and Tamil prisoners. All of the messages are written in Tamil, and some have been translated by the army and displayed on a notice board.

The former prison complex is now located within a Sri Lankan Army camp.

Terrorist Underground Bunker [now destroyed]

Terrorist Underground Bunker on Kilinochchi - Mulativu Route

This was the next significant point of interest encountered on the route to Mullaitivu. The site consisted of a two-story, fully air-conditioned underground bunker reportedly used by the LTTE terrorist leader. Constructed from thick reinforced concrete, the bunker was concealed by an outer brick wall designed to disguise the nature of the structure. It had been built within a Tamil civilian settlement and made to resemble an ordinary civilian dwelling.

The bunker was situated next to the house reportedly used by the LTTE terrorist leader while he was in the area and beside a large water well. A small circular building nearby was also said to have been used as a location where the LTTE terrorist leader met visitors from outside the area.

The bullet proof door to the Terrorist Underground Bunker on Kilinochchi - Mulativu Route

Access to the bunker was through a pathway connecting it to an ordinary-looking house. The main entrance was fitted with a bulletproof steel door. From this entrance, the bunker extended two levels below ground level. The fully air-conditioned complex contained a lecture hall, an office, a bedroom, a toilet, and a dining area. The bedroom was equipped with oxygen cylinders. The generator room was disguised as a pheasant hut, helping to conceal the nature of the facility. The bunker complex was powered by a generator owned by the Danish Refugee Council in Sri Lanka.

The bunker was subsequently located within the headquarters of the 4th Battalion of the Sri Lanka National Guard.

Update

The underground bunker has since been destroyed and no longer exists.

5-story underground luxury bunker complex of the LTTE [now destroyed]

Map of the underground 5 storied Luxury bunker complex of the LTTE on the Kilinochchi - Mulativu Route

Retractable bunker of the underground 5 storied Luxury bunker complex of the LTTE on the Kilinochchi - Mulativu Route

Operations room of the underground 5 storied Luxury bunker complex of the LTTE on the Kilinochchi - Mulativu Route

The capture of this site was regarded as one of the most significant successes of the army’s Humanitarian Operation to release Tamil civilians from LTTE terrorists’ control. The main bunker complex associated with the LTTE leader was located along the Puthukudiyiruppu–Odusuddan Road, concealed within dense jungle. It reportedly served as the LTTE terrorist leader’s principal residence and consisted of a main bunker constructed with heavily fortified concrete walls extending five levels underground.

The complex was equipped as a luxurious hideout, with air conditioning and many of the amenities normally associated with a luxury residence. Although the furniture had been removed, the intended function of each room was still indicated on the doors. Several emergency exits were also identified, leading from the main complex to separate guard bunkers located at some distance from the principal structure. The complex additionally contained an underground vehicle park, a private firing range, and several sealable bunkers protected by armor plating.

A generator was housed in a separate fortified concrete structure. A jogging path encircled the entire complex and was reportedly constructed for the use of the LTTE leader. A barbed-wire fence surrounded the jogging path, while the entire complex was further enclosed by three separate barbed-wire fences. These defensive perimeters incorporated guard bunkers and numerous dog kennels.

The bunker complex was demolished by the Sri Lankan Army in 2013 and no longer exists.

The LTTE Swimming Pool (not open to the public now)

22 feet deep LTTE swimming pool on the Kilinochchi - Mulativu Route

The next point of interest associated with the Humanitarian Operation is a large swimming pool that was reportedly used by the LTTE leadership for recreation and may also have been constructed specifically for training deep divers of the Sea Tiger wing. The pool measures approximately 83 ft (25.3 m) in length, with one side reaching a depth of about 22 ft (6.7 m). Two pathways lead down to the bottom of the pool, allowing a person to observe diving activities taking place at the deepest level through a glass window.

The entire pool was once covered by a steel camouflage roof, which has since been removed. Like several of the other former LTTE facilities in the area, the site is now located within a Sri Lankan Army camp.

Monument of Victory and War Museum at Puthukkudiyiruppu

Monument of Victory at Puthukkudiyiruppu on the Kilinochchi - Mulativu Route — Monument of Victory at Puthukkudiyiruppu

Upon reaching Nanthikadal Lagoon, visitors will find the newly established War Museum adjoining a small body of water. The museum presents exhibits relating to the final stages of the military operation by the three armed forces and, in particular, displays a large collection of high-speed boats, locally manufactured submersibles, suicide boats, and missile launchers captured during the final stages of the conflict.

Adjacent to the War Museum, on a small body of water, stands a memorial constructed in 2009. This Monument of Victory is situated in the area where the LTTE leader and many of the organization’s senior officials were killed during the final battle, bringing the 30-year conflict to an end.

War Museum at Puthukkudiyiruppu on the Kilinochchi - Mulativu Route

According to an army release, “The blue background to the monument depicts the blue ocean and the flowers around it the Sri Lankan nation. Four Lions at the four corners of the memorial immortalize the contribution of the war heroes who came from all four directions to win the final battle. The soldier who carries a weapon symbolizes valour and gallantry. The National flag on it demonstrates the sovereignty, independence and dignity of the nation.”

Submarine Yard of the LTTE (not open to the public now)

Submarine Yard of the LTTE - on Kilinochchi - Mulativu Route

By the beginning of the liberation operations conducted by the Sri Lankan forces, the LTTE had developed considerable expertise in submarine technology and had been operating this facility for some time. The site was overrun by the Sri Lankan forces during the final stages of the operations, and several partially constructed submarines or submarine-type submersibles were discovered there. Following the conclusion of the operations, the Sri Lankan Navy also discovered a fully completed three-person submersible approximately 500 meters from the Mullaitivu coast.

Hijacked Farah 3 Ship [now totally sunk]

The Farah 3 ship captured and stripped by the LTTE Terrorists at Mullaitivu

On 29 December 2006, the LTTE terrorists boarded the Jordanian-owned cargo vessel MV Farah III, which was anchored approximately 17 miles (27.4 km) off the Mullaitivu coast. The vessel was transporting 14,000 metric tonnes of rice from India to South Africa and had been forced to anchor after experiencing mechanical problems.

The LTTE terrorists took the entire rice shipment, detached the vessel’s anchor, and allowed the ship to run aground on the beaches of Vellaullivaikal.

After removing the ship’s generators, radio equipment, and navigational equipment, the LTTE terrorists stripped its hull for use as armour plating on vehicles. Today, visitors can walk up to the remaining skeleton of the vessel, which resembles the carcass of an animal that has been partially consumed. [ SEE MORE ….. ]

Also See

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Travel Directions to Kilinochchi

Route 01 from Colombo to Kilinochchi	Route 02 from Colombo to Kilinochchi
Though : Kurunegala – Dambulla – Anuradhapura – Vavunia Distance:345 km Travel time: 7-8 hours Driving directions: see on Google map	Though : Kurunegala – Dambulla – Anuradhapura – Vavunia Distance:345 km Travel time : 7-8 hours Driving directions: see on Google map