Live in the Picturesque East Coast of Sri Lanka

The East Coast of Sri Lanka is an assertion of one of the island’s many personalities. This is the area many tourists opt to visit when monsoonal rains hit the West. When the rains, if properly experienced, batter down the West Coast of the country sun grace the beaches and paddy fields of the East Coast breathing life into it, while attracting the interest of many across the globe.

The East is predominantly populated with Tamils and Muslims, unlike the West where most of the Sinhalese population reside. The different cultures and ethnicities in the East bring a unique vibe to it.

This area could also be depicted as the dark touristic part of the country. Tourists mainly visit the area to witness the ruins left by the country’s nearly 30-year war era. The civil war took a heavy toll on the East, leaving its residents struggling to rebuild their lives. Most villages still remain abandoned.

However, the tourism sector in the coast is catching on with many hotels being built along the golden sandy beaches. Here are the top East Coast spots;

Trincomalee (Trinco)

With its serene colonial vibe and many Hindu kovils, Trinco is known as the capital of the East Coast. The thriving city is located near what is known as one of the world’s best natural harbours making it one of the most important places in the world. The harbour was also the source that attracted many attacks over hundreds of years and went on to change colonial hands several times.

These changes curved and imprinted into the soul of the city that is still fresh and untouched.

Trinco is also known as Gokana as it is one of the oldest cities in Asia with a history that spans over two and a half thousand years. Most tourists fail to understand its relevance and pass through it to visit Uppuveli and Nilaveli, both breathtakingly beautiful sandy beaches.

East Coast Kovil

Uppuveli

Located under six kilometers to the north of Trincomalee, Uppuveli is basically a village. Many find the place calm and free from the humdrum of city life, while its beach is considered one of Sri Lanka’s best.

In addition to the beach, you can visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery where over 350 ‘allied servicemen’ of various nationalities were buried after they died during the World War II in Trincomalee. The buried include those who were killed in the Japanese air rain in 1942.

Commonwealth War Cemetery

Nilaveli

If Uppuveli is too isolated for your taste, Nilaveli will be the perfect destination for you. You will be presented with a large number of resorts and hotels to choose from here.

You also get the chance to take part in different water sports in Nilaveli. A few meters away from the coast, tourists will get the opportunity to go snorkeling. The sun-baked golden beaches are also ideal to get yourself a tan.

In addition to this Pigeon Island National Park is another major attraction in the area. The park is located about a kilometer off Nilaveli. It is reported that Pigeon Island compromises of the best coral reefs of Sri Lanka. The fact made relevant authorities to designate it as a sanctuary in a bid to protect its natural habitat.

Pigeon Island National Park

Arugam Bay

Known as the surf capital, Arugam Bay is one of the highly visited places in the island. During the season many tourists, local and foreign, old and young, and from across different nationalities crowd in Arugam Bay to surf. If you are a beginner you can learn to surf like a pro with the aid of local surfing gurus.

If you are not into surfing, you can take a stroll along the beach to the Crocodile Rock. You needn’t worry about getting eaten by crocs here as no real crocodiles were seen in the area. Yet, if you are really lucky you will get to witness herds of wild elephants arriving to drink water and bathe.

Another attraction in Arugam Bay is the Pottuvil Lagoon. A visit to the lagoon will give you a whole different experience to bathing on the beach. You will be able to witness nature and wildlife here. A walk in the mangrove plantation will be packed with unique experiences that will keep your adrenalin rushing.

Surfing in Arugam Bay

Batticaloa- The land of singing fish

Batticaloa or the ‘Land of the Singing Fish’ is a beautiful city in the Eastern Province that also went through a series of colonial eras. Its architecture and lifestyle was influenced by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British making the city another major tourist attraction in the country.

The Dutch Fort of Batticaloa is where travelers from across the globe came to trade cinnamon, pepper, and other spices. You can still see that remains of the Fort as it sits drummed by the salty breeze.

It is also important to note that there are a number of islands in the Batticaloa lagoon. Few of them are Puliyanthivu, Bone Island and Buffalo Island which are connected by bridges so that visitors can easily walk to and fro from these islands.

The Lady Manning Bridge in Kallady is the main entrance to the city. It is believed that here people heard ‘singing fish’ in the lagoon during a full moon day hence getting its name.

Dutch Fort of Batticaloa

Ampara- The Kingdom of pious and valiant

Ampara is the proud owner of four animal sanctuaries including Kumana National Wildlife Park, which is the largest fauna nesting and breeding ground in Sri Lanka. It is considered to be a key eco-tourism destination.

Tourists who visit Ampara are mostly nature lovers as they get hands on experience of wild elephants. A report suggests that over 32 species of vibrant mammals reside in the wild forests in the Ampara district. These wild animals range from leopards, bears to sambar deer. Also, the Bird Island is home to over 150 bird species. Tourists have spotted Indian cormorants, grey herons and grey-headed fish eagles in this island.

Standing up to its ‘valiant’ title Ampara has made it to the international arena too with its annual surfing competitions that attract people from across the globe.

Kumana National Park (Kudumbigala Sanctuary), near Kudumbigala monastery complex, by AntanO

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