Batticaloa

This heritage site is centred on the Batticaloa town in the Eastern province of Sri Lanka. Batticaloa is one part of the zone referred to as Digamadulla in the historic age. Digamadulla had been a rice supplying area for the country during the Anuradhapura period. Historical sources (Mahavamsa) confirm that King Saddhatissa (137-119 BC) made great efforts to develop agricultural activities in the area and built a large number Buddhist stupas and monasteries. Muslim population has spread in the area with the arrival of Arab traders in about the 8th century AC. Subsequently, the area comes under the control of the Portuguese. With it colonial activities had taken place in the area. In this background, archaeological heritage representing multi religions (Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Catholic) have spread in the zone. However, with the civil war that continued for the last 30 years this heritage was also threatened with destruction.

Heritage management in the zone was begun in the year 2017 by the Central Cultural Fund, which is centred on the Batticaloa Dutch Fort.