Batticaloa which is more popularly referred to as ‘Batti’ has that charm of a newly discovered tourist destination. Although it’s a good 5 hours drive from the airport, now domestic flights by Cinnamon Air are available to minimise travel time and hasten you to the beautiful beaches of Batticaloa. The lagoons here are as popular as the beaches and consist of Vakarai, Batticaloa Lagoon and Valaichchenai Lagoon. Of these Batticaloa Lagoon is the largest, stretching for 56kms.
These lagoons have many islands and most are connected by bridges. The largest one is in Kallady and known by the name Lady Manning Bridge. It was from here that one Father Lang recorded the famous singing fishes and broadcast it to the island. The Kallady beach is extremely popular too. However it is nothing compared to the beauty of other virgin beaches like Pasikudah and Kalkudah. Anyone who has set foot on either of these beaches will tell you that these beaches are amongst the finest in the country to holiday at. Pasikudah especially is a tranquil beach with its calm waters and soft sand, always inviting travellers to experience its beauty.
Arugam Bay is also in the vicinity and offers ideal conditions to surf. Having already made a name for itself in the international surfing arena, this beach is beginning to host many world class surfing events. Lahugala National Park offers a different type of experience, that of wild elephants. These majestic beasts visit he area surrounding the reservoir in the park for food and also use it as a corridor during migration.
Batticaloa also has many historical sites. Ruins belonging to the era of the Ruhunu Kingdom and a Dutch Fort constructed during the 7th century are the most known among them. However there are other places that date back to pre-Christian times. Taaththon Kovil, Lankavihara, Veheragalkanda and Kinnaragala are a few of them.
Nigel Walters is a travel writer, who writes under the pen name, Fritzjames Stephen. His content is based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life.