The Portuguese established Jaffna as a city and their administrative center in 1621. Jaffna was primarily occupied by Catholics and merchants from Portugal, largely because it served as a key port to Sri Lanka. During the colonial period, the city was populated with Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, and Eurasian Burghers (Abeysinghe, 1986). Over time, after Sri Lanka became an independent nation, demographic changes occurred rapidly as most of Sri Lanka’s Tamil population settled in Jaffna.
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'Jaffna - a City that Keep a Trace of Portuguese Culture'
Jaffna - A City That Keeps a Trace of Portuguese Culture
Jaffna is the northernmost point in Sri Lanka. It is home to a significant portion of the Tamil population in the country. Given its Tamil occupancy, many of its cities bear Tamil names. Jaffna is profoundly influenced by Hinduism, which is reflected in its architectural landscape full of stunning Hindu temples and structures. Upon entering Jaffna, visitors are greeted with a distinct culture and environment. The city is surrounded by the Indian Ocean on more than three-fourths of its boundary (Silva & Schonthal, 2019).
Nallur Kandaswami Kovil stands out as the most significant Hindu temple in Jaffna. It is one of the largest and oldest temples in the area. Visitors are expected to adhere to its customs by wearing modest attire and removing shoes upon entry. While Jaffna is heavily influenced by Hinduism, it also boasts several notable Buddhist temples worth visiting. Kadurugoda Temple is among them and dates back to the Anuradhapura era (Pathmanathan, 1978). In addition to religious sites, landmarks such as Elephant Pass Memorial, Nainativu Kovil, and Nainativu Island are must-sees when exploring Jaffna.
The historical footprint left by Portuguese colonials is still evident through numerous historic buildings erected during their rule. Portuguese influence transformed Jaffna into a commercial hub, leaving behind architectural evidence that bears testament to this era.
The Modern Appeal of Jaffna
Today, Jaffna has evolved into a vibrant city teeming with tourist attractions and sights to explore. It is undergoing remarkable redevelopment while preserving its unique identity and remnants of Portuguese culture (De Silva & Rogers, 2009). The city's growth in tourism has led to the establishment of various hotels, motels, and restaurants catering to international visitors. Indeed, visiting Jaffna offers an essential experience when traveling through Sri Lanka.
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References
- Abeysinghe, T.B.H. (1986). Portuguese Rule in Ceylon: A Historical Study. Colombo: Lake House Investments Ltd.
- De Silva, C.R., & Rogers, J.D. (2009). Sri Lanka: History and Cultural Heritage. Colombo: University of Peradeniya Press.
- Pathmanathan, S. (1978). Buddhism in Northern Ceylon during the Medieval Period. Ceylon Journal of Historical Studies, 21(1), 56-79.
- Silva, K.M., & Schonthal, B.F. (2019). The Sri Lankan Reader: History, Culture Politics. Durham: Duke University Press.
