The East - Sri Lanka - page 558

This once-mighty fort is now home to administrative offices, and though large sections of
the structure are crumbling it's still an evocative sight. It was built by the Portuguese in
1628, but the Dutch took over after just 10 years, followed by the Brits. Access is con-
trolled, so you're likely to be escorted around the 6m-thick ramparts by a policeman or sol-
dier, who'll point out the English canons, surviving watchtowers and ruined belltower.
Views across the lagoon are magnificent.
There's a tiny museum with several intriguing items labelled, alas, only in Tamil and
you can glimpse the old jail (now a store).
For a great perspective of the fort, head to the tiny Auliya Mosque ( MAP
GOOGLE MAP ;Lady Manning Dr) over the water with its curious green minaret.
Thiruchendur Murugan Alayam Temple HINDU
( GOOGLE MAP ;Navalady Rd, Kallady)
Built in 1984 as a stopping point on the Pada Yatra pilgrimage to Kataragama, the temple
has a Murugan image said to have opened its own eyes before the painter could do the job.
The structure was slammed by the tsunami, leaving its small gopuram leaning at an alarm-
ing angle. The colourful leaning tower sits near the beach between Third and Fourth Cross
Sts in Kallady.
Kallady & Navalady Peninsula BEACH
This long, beach-edged peninsula is home to the Kallady and Navalady neighbourhoods.
Kallady has a lovely near-deserted strip of beach that's fine for a swim, though there's still
plenty of tsunami damage evident and not that much shade.
St Mary's Cathedral CHURCH
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; St Mary's St, Puliyanthivu)
The grand, turquoise-coloured St Mary's Cathedral is one of the most eye-catching
churches in Batti. St Mary's was rebuilt in 1994 following its partial destruction during
fighting between local Tamils and Muslims.
Anipandi Sitivigniswara Alayar HINDU
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Hospital Rd, Puliyanthivu)