Sallitivu Island – uninhabited islet in Vakarai – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located in *Batticaloa District in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka and significant due to its rich biodiversity, the islet is connected to the mainland over a sand bar approximately 200 meters in length. During the high tide as well as during the low tide, this sand bar is exposed, few inches below water. The islet is protected by a ring of coral reef with a 200-meter wide reef on the eastern side. During the high tide season, the sand strip gets covered with water and the sea shore is covered with dead corals. Although, the beach is wide and is pristine, it is covered with a thick layer of washed in coral rubble after the Tsunami that occurred in 2004. According to research conducted in the area, it was discovered that majority of the coral reef is not ...

Read More →

Round Island Lighthouse – beacon to daring seafarers – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located on top of a small rocky island in Round Island *Trincomalee in the outer harbor of *Trincomalee bay, Round Island Lighthouse also known as Trincomalee Lighthouse or Kevuliya Lighthouse is a round cylindrical masonry tower, 21meters high with a lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is painted in white color. The Lighthouse is accessible only by boat. Yet, the island and lighthouse are closed to the public. But visitors can see the lighthouse at a distance from *Marble Beach. The lighthouse is operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. In 2016, Round Island Lighthouse was renovated and the tower was repainted. The light in Round Island Lighthouse is fixed and can be seen for 16 kilometers (10 miles). The lighthouse on the Island was constructed in 1863 and has a focal plane 21 meters (61 feet) ...

Read More →