Jaffna City Guide

The city of Jaffna happens to be the administrative headquarters of the Jaffna district. At the same time, it serves as the capital city of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. It is located on the Jaffna Peninsula and is an integral part of Sri Lankan political history. The city has a past that accommodates colonial influence of the Portuguese, the Dutch and finally, the British.

Places of interest in Jaffna:

Jaffna Fort : A must visit in the city is the Jaffna Fort. Build in the late 18th century, this fort is a typical star fort spread across an area of more than 49 acres. The Dutch constructed it to command the lagoon.

Mannar Island : This island is the westernmost point of Sri Lanka and is linked to the mainland by a 3 km causeway.

Delft : Located at a distance of 35 kms from Jaffna, Delft is an island named after the famous Dutch city. The main attraction is the fort that resides in the island.

How to reach Jaffna:

By Plane: By Bus: By Train:

There is air service to and from Colombo. There are several private bus services operating from Colombo to Jaffna Colombo to Vavuniya. There onwards, bus service to Jaffna.

What to do in Jaffna:

The best time to be in this city is during the festival season. The major festivals are Nallur Kovil Thaer Thiruvizha (Chariot Festival), Thai-Pongal (harvest festival) and Theepavali.

Distance from major cities:

Colombo Galle Kandy Dambulla

396 kms 512 kms 320 kms 248 kms

History of Jaffna:

Jaffna has a strong colonial history behind it. It has got the dual influence of both the Dutch and the Portuguese rulers. It is during the Dutch reign that Jaffna became prominent as a trading town in locally grown agricultural products. The post colonial history of Jaffna saw some turbulence, but things are getting back to normal with the world community showing interest in investing in infrastructure and other developmental projects in the city.