Pooneryn Fort

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Pooneryn Fort is a colonial Dutch Fort situated Kilinochchi District of Northern Sri Lanka. Situated in a peninsular separated from Jaffna Peninsula by a narrow strip of water connecting Indian Ocean and Jaffna Lagoon. This strategic location was important to prevent any possible invasion to Jaffna from Kandyan Kingdom or the Vanniyars in immediate south.


The above strategic importance was identified by the Portuguese who established a fort in Pooneryn after subjugating the Jaffna Kingdom. This Fort was captured by the Dutch in 1658 AD who are responsible for the current structure. Ownership of the Fort passed down to British in 1796 AD. In 1805 British converted the Fort in to a Rest house.


The fort played an important role through out Sri Lankan Civil War being exchanged hands between the Sri Lankan Army and the terrorist group of LTTE in 1991 and 2009. The fort was under Sri Lankan Army from 1983 to 1991 and LTTE controlled the region from 1991 to 2009. After humanitarian operations of Sri Lankan Army in 2009 the Pooneryn area passed to the control of Sri Lankan Government and the remains of the ancient Fort are now open to the General Public. 


The Fort was square shaped in structure and had two bastions in opposite corners. Ramparts of the Fort was 30m in length and currently the Fort is in a poor state of repair.

How to Reach.


Fort is situated in the A 32 Highway next to Pooneryn Junction. If you are coming from Colombo you can be easily reach this place using the A9 road and turning Left at Paranthan by using B357 road or by using the A32 Mannar - Jaffna  Road. 











Location: Ancient Dutch Fort, Pooneryn Junction, Parantan-Pooneryn Rd, Pooneryn 0777370990, Sri Lanka

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