Batticaloa Town

Are you in Batticaloa? Do you want to train your muscly legs?

Hereby I present a short walk to see some nice parts of the town. Just grab your flip-flops and start walking...

The Kalladi bridge offers a good starting point. Walk next to it, forth and back and enjoy this piece of history from different angles.

Kalladi bridge, Mai 2013

The bridge was built in 1924 during British colonial rule. The bridge was named Lady Manning Bridge in honour of the wife of William Manning, the British Governor of Ceylon. It was the oldest and longest iron bridge in Sri Lanka. On average 10,000 vehicles crossed the narrow, single lane bridge daily. Accidents on the bridge would lead to traffic problems in the area. Batticaloa's singing fish legend is associated with the bridge. In 1954 two American priests from St. Michael's College, Batticaloa, Rev. Fr. Lang and Rev. Fr. Moran, recorded fishes singing under the bridge. The recording was broadcast on Radio Ceylon in the 1960's. In 2006 plans were drawn to build a new bridge parallel to the old one. Construction of the new bridge began in March 2008. Problems with the contractor led to another contractor being appointed. The new bridge was formally opened on 22 March 2013.

Pass the road of the new bridge and enter the Lady Manning Drive, which starts at the not to oversee and not so nice-looking St. Sebastion Church. Walk along the shore. The atmosphere here is special: Most of the houses here are run down even though they are super-nicely situated. And every hundred meter you will find bunkers, or huts out of iron sheets, where policemen are stationed. Locals gather around a bunch of fish which they try to kill with cricket rackets. This road reminded me of some parts of Belize City (2012).

Further down the road you have a great view of the fort on the Puliyanthivu island of Batticaloa.

View on the Dutch fort, Mai 2013

You will pass a beautiful statue, positioned outside of the Church of Ceylon Diocese of Colombo. And some steps further there is a colorfully painted business building with shops ranging from driving schools to banana and paint sellers. 

Statue, Mai 2013

Colorful and often busy business complex, Mai 2013

Turn right after this business complex and find a local market after a hundred meters on your left. Stroll through the booths, shop pineapple, brooms or whatever crazy stuff they sell here.

Enthusiastic vendor, Mai 2013

Go back to the Lady Manning Drive and advance to the Central Road bridge. Most probably you can see huge jelly fish passing underneath the bridge, either floating inside with the high tide or outside with the low-tide. Fascinating, and consequently fishermen stay in there boats for fishing. Turn left at the clock tower, watch ladies holding umbrellas against the merciless sunshine, pass the Batticaloa gate and continue further down the road to the Dutch fort. 

Umbrella ladies, Mai 2013

Entrance to the Fort, Mai 2013

Inside the Fort, Mai 2013

The Batticaloa Fort was built by the Portuguese in 1628 and was the first to be captured by the Dutch on 18 May 1638. Later, the fort was used by British from 1745. The fort has a structure of four bastions and protected by the Batticaloa Lagoon from two sides and a canal of the other two sides. The fort is still in reasonable condition and many local administrative departments of Sri Lanka government function in new buildings, which is based in the old structure.

Once inside the fort, you will find the old buildings converted to department offices of the Batticaloa District and interestingly a small Kovil, which is a Hindu temple. Climb the stairs to the old walls of the fort and enjoy a short walk around them. Leave the fort premises through whatever gate and walk through the busy business Main Road back to the clock tower, where this walk is going to end. 

Main Road, Batticaloa, Mai 2013

Here comes the map:

  

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