Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Army to restore historic Jaffna Fort

Daily Mirror ( Thursday September 10, 2009)

The army is restoring the historic Jaffna Fort built by the Portuguese and later further improved by the Dutch, the army said.

They said the Fort  was badly damaged and partly destroyed as a result of LTTE terrorist activities in the past three decades.

The historic importance of this archeological monument was to be restored and brought back to its original position shortly under the guidance of the Jaffna Commander and  under the supervision of 51 Division Commander with the assistance of the Northern Province Governor's office, the army said.

The Jaffna Fort which has a special place among archaeological sites in Jaffna was built as a small garrison by the Portuguese in 1618 under Philip De Olivera when the Portuguese invaded Jaffna .

Later, on June 20, 1658 the Dutch captured it under Raiclop Van Goins from the Portuguese and expanded it further. The LTTE terrorists during the war used the historic site as their firing ground and caused extensive damages. Sri Lanka Army in 1996 liberated the entire Fort surroundings under Riviresa operation and brought it under them. By that time the terrorists had destroyed almost all ancient structures inside the Fort.

With the intention of preserving this monumental site which can be turned to  a tourist attraction, the army is to restore this historic place on directives received from the office of the Northern Province Governor. The historic Fort housed a garrison parade ground, queen's house, sentry points, police quarters and a few other important buildings during the Portuguese era.