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Pooneryn (Poonakari) Fort — Kilinochchi

Cover photo: Ishan Sharma (Unsplash)

District

Kilinochchi

Province

Northern

Best for

Fort and coast explorers; Portuguese ruins on the Jaffna lagoon shore

Map

See it on the map

About this place

16th-century Portuguese fort (later Dutch) on the coast west of Kilinochchi, guarding the lagoon crossing. Ruined walls rather than a restored site; go with a driver who knows the track. Best in dry months December-March when approach roads are firm.

Visitor brief

Good to know before you go

• Portuguese-built, Dutch-expanded (captured 1658) square fort with two bastions - now ruined walls, not a restored site.
• Remote lagoon-shore setting; go with a driver who knows the track.
• Best in dry months December-March when approach roads are firm.
• Carry everything in; no facilities or signage to count on.
• Combine with the Sangupiddy bridge/lagoon crossing area.

How to travel there

West of Kilinochchi on the lagoon coast; go with a driver who knows the track. Best December-March when approach roads are firm.

Where to stay

Stay in Kilinochchi town (basic guesthouses); Pooneryn is a half-day excursion.

Nearby places

Sangupiddy Bridge and Jaffna lagoon, Kilinochchi town, Mannar Island (long drive via mainland)

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