Jaffna and the Islands

Steeped in glorious but turbulent history, yet almost entirely unknown to tourism, the predominantly Tamil city of Jaffna is located at the northern tip of Sri Lanka and was at the heart of the country’s 26-year civil war (ended in 2009). Jaffna’s post-war recovery has been remarkable, and the region is now emerging as Sri Lanka’s rising star.

A tour of Jaffna and its surroundings allows visitors to explore the province’s rich history and its more recent past and gain insight into Jaffna’s distinct cultural and culinary traditions. Visit the star-shaped Jaffna Fort, which was at the heart of several momentous events; view the Jaffna library, which was burnt during the civil war; and drive through deserted villages that are yet to recover following the restoration of peace. Stop at Point Pedro, the northernmost point of Sri Lanka; see the Keerimalai hot springs and explore the outstanding Kanthrodai Buddhist stupas.

An absolute must-see is the ancient Nallur Kandasamy Kovil – an architecturally striking Dravidian-style Hindu temple. An afternoon walking tour of Jaffna’s bustling market provides a fascinating insight into Jaffna’s Tamil culture. A day excursion from Jaffna to explore the outlying islands by boat is highly recommended. At Nainativu Island, admire the Nagapooshani Amman Kovil temple, which is usually a hive of activity during the afternoon pooja (Buddhist religious ceremony) and visit the serene Nagadeepa Buddhist temple.

On sparsely populated Neduntivu or Delft Island, visit the remnants of the Dutch Fort and the ‘growing rock’ revered by the locals. Then, see the giant Baobab trees and look for the wild ponies that roam the island freely.