• Latest
On the Road to Kankesanthurai

On the Road to Kankesanthurai

January 18, 2023

INKATERRA LA CASONA WINS THE ‘ANDREW HARPER EDITOR’S CHOICE’ AWARD

March 31, 2023
Investec Cape Town Art Fair

Investec Cape Town Art Fair

March 3, 2023
Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development

Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development

March 3, 2023
DY Patil University Centre of Excellence Opens in Navi Mumbai

DY Patil University Centre of Excellence Opens in Navi Mumbai

March 3, 2023
A Walk Down Cobblers’ Street

A Walk Down Cobblers’ Street

March 3, 2023
The Colombo Cultural Show: A Soiree into Sri Lanka’s Heart

The Colombo Cultural Show: A Soiree into Sri Lanka’s Heart

February 7, 2023
Kandy Central Market: The epitome of local ambiance

Kandy Central Market: The epitome of local ambiance

February 7, 2023
The Art of Local Writing

The Art of Local Writing

February 7, 2023
Carnival Magic

Carnival Magic

February 7, 2023
Ponniyin Selvan 1: Leveraging the Lure of History and the Power of Storytelling

Ponniyin Selvan 1: Leveraging the Lure of History and the Power of Storytelling

January 11, 2023
Rumination and Emotional Process

Rumination and Emotional Process

January 13, 2023
Segar Represents Sri Lanka in Asia Art Bienniale in Dhaka

Segar Represents Sri Lanka in Asia Art Bienniale in Dhaka

January 11, 2023
Retail
Sunday, April 2, 2023
Subscription
Advertise
  • Home
  • Issues
    • 201_
      • 2010
        • January 2010
        • February 2010
        • March 2010
        • April 2010
        • May 2010
        • June 2010
        • July 2010
        • August 2010
        • September 2010
        • October 2010
        • November 2010
        • December 2010
      • 2011
        • January 2011
        • February 2011
        • March 2011
        • April 2011
        • May 2011
        • June 2011
        • July 2011
        • August 2011
        • September 2011
        • October 2011
        • November 2011
        • December 2011
      • 2012
        • January 2012
        • February 2012
        • March 2012
        • April 2012
        • May 2012
        • June 2012
        • July 2012
        • August 2012
        • September 2012
        • October 2012
        • November 2012
        • December 2012
      • 2013
        • January 2013
        • February 2013
        • March 2013
        • April 2013
        • May 2013
        • June 2013
        • July 2013
        • August 2013
        • September 2013
        • October 2013
        • November 2013
        • December 2013
      • 2014
        • January 2014
        • February 2014
        • March 2014
        • April 2014
        • May 2014
        • June 2014
        • July 2014
        • August 2014
        • September 2014
        • October 2014
        • November 2014
        • December 2014
      • 2015
        • January 2015
        • February 2015
        • March 2015
        • April 2015
        • May 2015
        • June 2015
        • July 2015
        • August 2015
        • September 2015
        • October 2015
        • November 2015
        • December 2015
      • 2016
        • January 2016
        • February 2016
        • March 2016
        • April 2016
        • May 2016
        • June 2016
        • July 2016
        • August 2016
        • September 2016
        • October 2016
        • November 2016
        • December 2016
      • 2017
        • January 2017
        • February 2017
        • March 2017
        • April 2017
        • May 2017
        • June 2017
        • July 2017
        • August 2017
        • September 2017
        • October 2017
        • November 2017
        • December 2017
      • 2018
        • January 2018
        • February 2018
        • March 2018
        • April 2018
        • May 2018
        • June 2018
        • July 2018
        • August 2018
        • November 2018
        • December 2018
      • 2019
        • January 2019
        • February 2019
        • March 2019
        • April 2019
        • May 2019
        • June 2019
        • July 2019
        • August 2019
        • September 2019
        • October 2019
        • November 2019
        • December 2019
    • 202_
      • 2020
        • January 2020
        • February 2020
        • March 2020
        • September 2020
        • October 2020
        • November 2020
        • December 2020
      • 2021
        • January 2021
        • February 2021
        • March 2021
        • April 2021
        • May 2021
        • June 2021
        • July 2021
        • August 2021
        • September 2021
        • October 2021
        • November 2021
        • December 2021
      • 2022
        • January 2022
        • February 2022
        • March 2022
        • April 2022
        • May 2022
        • June 2022
        • July 2022
        • August 2022
        • September 2022
        • October 2022
        • November 2022
        • December 2022
      • 2023
        • January 2023
        • February 2023
        • March 2023
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Archive
  • Find Us on Magzter
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result

On the Road to Kankesanthurai

in August 2016, General
0 0
0
The road to Kankesanthurai is now open after decades
The ancient Maviddapuram Kandaswamy Kovil
The ancient Maviddapuram Kandaswamy Kovil

The sweltering afternoon heat beat down on the snaking flat tarmac. Our eyes glinted with excitement as we passed the Kandaswamy Kovil in Maviddapuram. Now we were on a road that had not been used in decades!

Words Keshini de Silva  |  Photographs Vishwathan Tharmakulasingham and Menaka Aravinda

We had received news that the final two-kilometre stretch of the Jaffna – Kankesanthurai Road was open to the public and were on our way to explore. A brown gopuram with intricate carvings soared into sight. It was the Maviddapuram Kovil, a 5,000-year temple dedicated to Lord Murugan. Once we cruised past it we were on the look out for the junction. From here it was straight on to the coastal Kankesanthurai on the new road open to all.

The balmy air, fresh with the salt of the sea mingled with the smell of scorching tar. Save for a few eateries, administrative buildings and service centres that peeped from the thick foliage and carefully pruned hedgerow the road to Kankesanthurai or KKS was desolate. A few turns later we came across a group of women. Chattering together with enthusiasm they revealed they were looking for their ancestral homes. The ladies pointed down the path they were planning to head down. A typical gravel lane, it seemed to lead to the thick of the jungle. They were merely waiting on the side of the road for the rest of their group supposedly arriving in the second bus. Bidding our goodbyes and good tidings we continued on our journey to the Northern-most coast of Sri Lanka.

The houses scattered along the route were remnants of the lost architecture of Jaffna. Arched doorways, balustrades, slightly peaked roofs and Spanish slat windows. These buildings are a fusion of British colonial architecture, which draw inspiration from neoclassical and baroque architectural styles. With communities now living in peace, the peninsula’s unique style of architecture can flourish.

With its pristine beach stretch, KKS is placed for great things and of course is keen to play its part in Sri Lanka’s burgeoning tourism industry.

After a winding ride, the striking gold tipped Kankesanthurai Lighthouse was a beacon that signaled we were close to the coast. The simple masonry tower built by the British was restored to its original glory in 2014, guiding vessels to the KKS harbour with care. A quick turn to the right and at the coast we were.

The Kankesanthurai Railway Station gleamed with a new coat of peach paint. Its interior was quite modern, as was the re-laid track. Yet, just opposite a little history remained. The old warehouse built by the British remained untouched. Carriages decommissioned during the war also decorated the station. With the road closed, the only mode of travel to the area for tourists was through train. Re-opened in 2015, today this is the final destination of the restored Northern Line. At the turntable the trains change their course and head on back to Colombo through Jaffna.

The digital clock signaled 13.45 pm as we heard the screeching call of the afternoon express coach. It was running a little late. At the sound of it, tourists and residents alike scattered onto the platform and scrambled onto the train. Their happy and relaxed faces motivated us to explore the beach stretch from where they emerged.

Beyond the Thalsevana Hotel the beach shimmered with golden sands constantly kissed by pristine calm waters. On a rampart, clearly left behind by the Dutch, people lounged taking in the invigorating sea air. Our eyes danced with glee as it captured the never-ending seascape of the Indian Ocean. These crystalised waters would be ideal for snorkelling, yachting or water-skiing.

An area that experienced the full force of the conflict was now at peace. With its pristine beach stretch and turquoise waters, Kankesanthurai is placed for great things and of course is keen to play its part in Sri Lanka’s burgeoning tourism industry.

I looked on towards its serene landscape where people were returning to their homes and tourists lazed about. It was easy to imagine how Kankesanthurai would flourish in the years to come.

TweetShareShare

Search

No Result
View All Result

Recent News

INKATERRA LA CASONA WINS THE ‘ANDREW HARPER EDITOR’S CHOICE’ AWARD

Investec Cape Town Art Fair

Investec Cape Town Art Fair

Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development

Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development

Explore Sri Lanka

Explore Sri Lanka Online, the web edition of Sri Lanka’s leading monthly corporate publication. Founded in 1996, the magazine currently has a distribution of over 6,000 copies island-wide.

Recent News

  • INKATERRA LA CASONA WINS THE ‘ANDREW HARPER EDITOR’S CHOICE’ AWARD
  • Investec Cape Town Art Fair
  • Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development

Find Us

Explore Sri Lanka
20-2/1 Lauries Place Facing
R. A. De Mel Mawatha
Colombo 04
Sri Lanka.
(+94 11) 259 7991
(+94) 715 134 134
info@btoptions.com
btoptions.com

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

© 2022 Explore Sri Lanka | Designed by Lithic Labs

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Issues
    • 201_
      • 2010
      • 2011
      • 2012
      • 2013
      • 2014
      • 2015
      • 2016
      • 2017
      • 2018
      • 2019
    • 202_
      • 2020
      • 2021
      • 2022
      • 2023
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Archive
  • Find Us on Magzter

© 2022 Explore Sri Lanka | Designed by Lithic Labs

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In