Elephant Pass Fort (Tamil: ஆனையிறவுக் கோட்டை, romanized: Āṉaiyiṟavuk Kōṭṭai; Sinhala: අලිමංකඩ බලකොටුව Alimankada Balakotuwa) was a small fort in the strategically important spot as it linked Jaffna peninsula to the mainland. It was built by the Dutch in 1776 on the banks of the Jaffna lagoon.[1]

Elephant Pass Fort
Elephant Pass, Sri Lanka
Elephant Pass Fort is located in Northern Province
Elephant Pass Fort
Elephant Pass Fort
Coordinates9°31′24″N 80°24′29″E / 9.523343°N 80.408080°E / 9.523343; 80.408080
TypeDefence fort
Site information
ConditionDestroyed
Site history
Built1776
Built byDutch
MaterialsGranite Stones
Battles/warsMany

The fort was served as a defensive structure to protect the Jaffna peninsula. It was like a well-fortified stockade or a watch post. It had two bastions, and each bastion was equipped with four cannons.[2] Elephant Pass Fort was linearly located with Fort Beschutter and Fort Pass Pyl in the narrow part of the peninsula. During the British rule, the fort was used as a rest house. It was destroyed during the Sri Lankan civil war.

References

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  1. ^ "A feel of Sri Lanka: The road from Elephant Pass". The Hindu. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
  2. ^ "Dutch Fort at Elephant Pass". Retrieved 9 November 2014.
  • Nelson, W. A.; de Silva, R. K. (2004). The Dutch Forts of Sri Lanka – The Military Monuments of Ceylon. Sri Lanka Netherlands Association.
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