Kalpitiya Dutch Fort and Thonigala

Last year, my friend from Australia compelled us to run through Trincomalee on a rush trip with his family. My trip report too was equally a rushed one!!!

This time he came alone and suddenly demanded a trip to Kalpitiya, just to enjoy the bio diversity!!!!. I had time only to arrange an approval from Sri Lankan Navy to visit the Dutch Fort.

We started around 4.00 am from Maharagama. It was raining cats and dogs and motoring was virtually difficult.

By the time we reached the extended arm of the island, it was morning and the weather was not that promising. However we were able to go to coal power plant of Norochcholei and got down in front.

The area is scattered with wind power generators which is a very pleasant scenery for any green person, especially in the vicinity of a coal plant.

WIND MILLS

However the giant(Coal power plant) was sleeping when we were there. No activities at all. A friendly navy person with a high sense of humor commented “ It is always sleeping and once in a while gets up to send out smokes to say it is still alive”.

SLEEPING GIANT OF NOROCHCHOLE

With the approval of Navy, we stayed half an hour in the beach and proceeded to our next destination.

BEACH NEAR POWER PLANT

PART 2

AGRICULTURE IN PROGRESS

St. Anne’s Church of Thalawila itself is a one day trip. However by the time we reached it, the rain was pelting and we could not even get down from the car. We stayed in the car for some time and no sooner the rain stopped for a short spell, visited the place in a rush.

Following is extracted from internet about the church.

“The Thalawila church has a long history and once account says that a European Trader travelling in a ship dedicated to St. Anne, was shipwrecked off the coast of Thalawila in the 18th century and found the church following success in business after placing a vow at this place. The other account says that in the 17th century a Portuguese man travelling from Mannar to Colombo slept at a tree in Thalawila and dreamt seeing St. Anne’s statue at the foot of tree, and when he awoke from the dream the statue was physically there as he dreamt.”

.	THALAWILA CHURCH

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PART 3
From Thalawila, we drove direct to the Dutch Fort of Kalpitiya.

The Fort is a part of the Navy Command hence prior approval is required to visit the Fort. They were very helpful and gave us a guided tour.

NAVY COMMAND IN KALPITIYA

The Fort was built in 1667, on the spot where the Portuguese had a stockade and a Jesuit chapel. It is classified as a medium size Fort. The walls are about 4 meters high and inside are the remnants of the chapel, a commander’s house, barrack rooms, a prison and several go downs.
It was said that consent to build the Fort was obtained from the ruling King on the pretext that it would only a cover for the church. Two church like arches were built inside the complex to make outsiders believe that it was in fact a church. When seen from inside, these arches have no relevance to the main buildings.
There was a tunnel leading from the Fort. It is now closed.
The Fort bears a deteriorated appearance and in need of urgent restoration. A Navy Officer told us that several foreign tourists have expressed their willingness to fund such a task but no one bothered to pursue those offers. Usual scenario !!!!

INTRODUCTION

MAP OF THE FORT – Click Image to Enlarge

SIGNS OF ENGLISH OCCUPANCY ON THE DOOR – Click Image to Enlarge

BELL ARCH OVER MAIN DOOR – Click Image to Enlarge

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.	WATCH TOWER

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.	LEADING TO TUNNEL

TUNNEL NOW CLOSED

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PRIDE OF NAVY BOYS

After the guided tour of the Fort, a Navy brother volunteered to take us to a clean and safe bathing place. We had to drive following his motor bike for a considerable distance to a Navy guarding point facing the sea (not the lagoon). The guarding point is only a temporary hut but warm welcome of the Navy boys instantly made it our home.

NAVY POINT WITH POOR FACILITIES

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PIER

A roughly laid stone pier which extended to the sea has made an alcove where fishing boats were shored. All incoming and outgoing boats are required to report to the Navy point.

FISHING HARBOUR

BOATS REPORTING TO NAVY

PART 05
It is a unique bathing place safe from rough sea and we spent several hours in water. All had to suffer scratching sun burns for several days after the trip.

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After a bath of fresh water, we had our lunch inside the Navy hut.

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NAVY BOYS WHO ASSISTED US

AT LAST WE FOUND THEM

PART 06
The day was still young and I asked our Australian friend whether he wish to go any other places. He readily told us that he wanted to visit Thonigala.
Thonigala is a rock located in Anamaduwa about 2 kilometers from the town, on Puttalam Road. It is famous for 2 gigantic rock inscriptions made on it. The tank called Galawewa is bordering the rock.
About 20 feet above the bottom line of the Rock, there are inscriptions carved on the rock face . Each letter is about a foot in height and has been chiseled out for an inch deep in to the rock.
Some times back, these inscriptions were covered with soil by villagers to protect them from erosion. Now the State has taken over the function and let the nature to do the obvious job. ( I always wonder why people of this country rely on an alarmingly inefficient government department to protect our heritage. It is high time to form an organization to do that. )
Apart from the inscriptions, the place is of interest and of beauty due to the low level rock, the wewa and the greenery surrounding. Ecological beauty is beyond imaginations. The environment is unique for camping.

ONLY 150 METERS FROM THE ROAD

THE WALK IS ENCHANTING

YET TO REACH FIRST ONE

PASSING THE TANK

FIRST GIRI LIPI

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SCRIPT

Parumaka Abaya puta parumaka Tisaha wapi acagirika Tisa pawatahi agata anagata catudisa sagasa dine. Dewana pi maharaja Gamini Abaye niyate acanagaraka ca [tawi] rikiya nagaraka ca. Parumaka Abaya puta parumaka Tisa niyata pite raj aha agata anagata catudisa sagasa.

TRANSLATION

The tank of the parumaka Tisa, son of the parumaka Abhaya, at the mountain of Acagirika Tisa, is given to the priesthood of the four quarters, present and absent. The great king, beloved of the gods, Gamini Abhaya, ordered : Acanagara and Tawirikiyanagara, which have been established
by my father, King Tisa, son of King Abhaya, [are given] to the priesthood of the four quarters, present and absent.

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The second inscription, largest ever, is another tranquilizing walk away.

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SOME RUINS

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SECOND ROCK INSCRIPTION

SCRIPT
Parumaka Abaya puta parumaka Tisa niyate. Ima wapi acagirika Tisa pawatahi agata anagata catudisa sagasa. Dewana piya maharaje Gamini Abaye niyate acanagaraka catawirikiya nagaraka ca acagirika Tisa pawatahi agata anagata catudisa sagasa. Parumaka baya puta parumaka Tisaha wisara niyate pite.

TRANSLATION
King Tisa, son of King Abhaya, ordered : This tank at the Acagirika Tisa mountain is given to the priesthood of the four quarters present and absent. The great king, beloved of the gods, Gamini Abhaya, ordered : Acanagara and Tawirikiya nagara [are given] to the priesthood in the four quarters present and absent. The tank of King Tisa, son of King Abhaya, is established by my father.

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EVERY TRIP HAS A COMMON DEFECT.
IT ENDS