Renovating the war-battered Jaffna Fort:

Recapturing the splendour

Priyanka Kurugala

The first batch to enter northern Sri Lanka following the humanitarian mission comprised the Archeology Department officials. No one could visit the Northern hemisphere because of the war. This was not possible even when the peninsula was free of terrorist activities in 1995. Archeology Department could not carry out any excavation programmes or conservation projects.

Ancient buildings were descending into a wilderness. Archaeologically valuable monuments were half hidden from the eye. They faced many tragedies – silently though – while the war was in high gear.

The pathetic situation gradually changed and the officials could visit the area. But the appearances have changed.

Almost every monument has been neglected, the officials could notice.

Jaffna fort is known for its archeological and historical significance. The fort was built during the Portuguese era, in 1618, under Philip de Olivera’s patronage.

The fort was then captured by the Dutch under Raiclop Van Goins in 1658. Beneficially the fort was improved. A present viewer can see it as a original Dutch building housing a number of archaeological monuments.

As the terrorism swept the ground, the fort became a battlefield. It was a playground for terrorists. No one had access when it was LTTE-controlled between 1986 and 1996.

It was however recaptured by Sri Lankan army in 1995 following a 50-day siege during the Operation Riviresa. As the war drew to end, the fort was no longer what it used to be. The dam and the interior were heavily damaged.

When they built it first, the Portuguese gave it a square shape. Dutch reconstructed it in a shape of a star with five bastions. The British too made use of the fort, but did not make any changes to the Dutch style.

A renovation programme was initiated in 2009, immediately after eradicating terrorism. The programme, under the supervision of National Heritage Minister Dr Jagath Balasuriya, aims at reconstructing the fort.

This is funded by the governments of Netherlands and Sri Lanka. Netherland has already spent Rs 64 million while Sri Lanka has allocated Rs 40 million.

According to Archaeological Director General Senarath Dissanayake 31 archaeological monuments have been found in the interior of the Jaffna Fort.

Quince’s Building, Dutch Church, canal and tunnels are the major parts of the Fort.

The Garrison Parade Ground, Police quarters and a several buildings of the Portuguese era are found as well. But the Dutch church had been completely damaged.

Jaffna Fort is the second largest fort in the country.

Most importantly Jaffna is the second town in the world which had come under Dutch domination. It has Dutch settlements outside the main Dutch Fort. Anybody can witness these settlements and can study the sites.

The Jaffna Fort had been used as a centre of the war, whereas other forts in the country have been used as administrative centres. This forced people to settle outside the fort. There are Dutch settlements outside the fort too. The first Dutch settlement outside the Dutch fort can be seen in South Africa. The archaeological value of the Jaffna town, therefore, is high and occupies an important position.

Numerous antiques of ancient value too are found in the Jaffna Fort site. Among them, Chinese and Roman coins and urns are important evidence. It relates a historical chapter. Gajalakshmee coins of the Anuradhapura era had also been found from the JaffnaFort site.

A part of the Fort facing the seaside was badly damaged by LTTE attacks. At present all renovation programmes continue under the supervision of the Archaeological Department and the Dutch government.

Queen’s House, the Dutch Church and the Jaffna Fort are the main sites focused under the restoration programme. All constructions were to be made by use of lime stones.

By now 50 percent of the conservation programme has been completed. In 1795 the fort had been taken over by the British, and remained a British garrison till 1948. It was considered as the only military fort in the country, as only government and military buildings were present within its ramparts. It had been garrisoned by a detachment of the Army.

The Sri Lanka Army had provided the labour for clearing the Jaffna Fort canal, Archaeological Director General Senarath Dissanayake said. Other than that a number of archaeological monuments can be seen in the Jaffna district.

Kantharodei Temple which is known as Kandurugoda temple is a significant ancient monument in Jaffna. Sangiliyan king's palace, Jamuna pond, Keeramale Naguleshwaram Kovil, Keeramale pond, Nilawarei pond and ancient ruins are some of them.

The Delft islands too are to be made an important archaeological centre. The archaeological Department has drawn up a plan to conserve Delft shortly.

Two ruins of ancient dagobas which belong to the Anuradhapura period can also be seen in Delft. Physical items which had been preserved indicate and prove the documented history. Besides, these prove Sri Lanka’s archeological richness.

Special thanks to National Heritage Ministry, Archaeological Department, Sri Lanka Army - Jaffna 51 Division Major Priyantha Gunasiri, Sri Lanka Navy Deputy Director Naval Operation Caption P D S Dias - Colombo, Warrant Officer Northern Operation Lieutenant Commendor Janaka Samaranayake, Navy Media Lieutenant D M S A D Dissanayake, Delft OIC Delft Police E N P Ekanayake and Jaffna University Archeological Department students who work on the construction of Jaffna Fort.