Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Fantastic 800km Road Trip & Incredible Stops on Sri Lanka’s North “Story& Pictures By Srimal Fernando


Fantastic 800km Road Trip & Incredible Stops on Sri Lanka’s  A-32 Northern coastal Highway

“Story& Pictures By Srimal Fernando
Srimal Fernando -kankesanthurai beach (KKS)
Srimal Fernando -kankesanthurai beach (KKS)
There is a saying…..“You are  what you do, not what you say you’ll do”
I ‘we learnt some great life lessons from my travels . Over theyears, I’ve found I do some of my best thinking when I am traveling.
Srimal Fernando at Sangupiddy Bridge is a road bridge across Jaffna Lagoon in northern Sri Lanka. It connects Sangupiddy in Kilinochchi District to Karaitivu in Jaffna District
Srimal Fernando at Sangupiddy Bridge is a road bridge across Jaffna Lagoon in northern Sri Lanka. It connects Sangupiddy in Kilinochchi District to Karaitivu in Jaffna District

This time I had a fantastic drive to the Northern province of SriLanka . Northern Province is located in the north of Sri Lanka and is just 22 miles (35 km) from India . Today six years after the endof war in May 2009 ,the once war-torn Northern Province is gradually pulling itself out and it was clear that the region is moving forward from its difficult past. .
Srimal Fenando at Buddhist Archeological excavations at Kandarodai in Jaffna, ruins dated to the 9th century AD.
Srimal Fenando at Buddhist Archeological excavations at Kandarodai in Jaffna, ruins dated to the 9th century AD.
Hitting all the major landmarks on a 800kilometer road trip from Colombo to Jaffna via Mannar &returning back to Colombo via Madhu was daring new part of my adventure that adds to the Photographic memory card.
Srimal Fernando at One Natioan One Country monument in A 32 high way Northern Province
Srimal Fernando at One Natioan One Country monument in A 32 high way Northern Province
I had driven several times on the A-9 highway (330km Kandy with Jaffna road via Elephant Pass) , during pre & post conflict period in Sri Lanka.
Srimal Fernando at Fort Hammenhiel.Horseshoe shape fort with four circular bastions was built to protect Jaffna Peninsula like other Portuguese forts in the peninsula.The Portuguese fort in the island has been built with four circular bastions around 1629
Srimal Fernando at Fort Hammenhiel.Horseshoe shape fort with four circular bastions was built to protect Jaffna Peninsula like other Portuguese forts in the peninsula.The Portuguese fort in the island has been built with four circular bastions around 1629

This time I chose to drive on A-32 Northern coastal Highway which isone of the most elegant land routes (The Mannar-Jaffna road highwayto Jaffna via Sangupiddy Bridge )

I had mainly four aims in my drive to the North

• Was to analyze the Improvement in the rural areas of Northern
coastal towns,
• Explore culturally important historical landmarks
• Re visit the ancient trails to Jaffna by the 15th Century Sri Lankan
Prince Sapumal and
• Connect & strengthen my network with my known contacts to my
family who use to ,safeguarded me during my previous visits to
the Northern Province during Pre & post conflict situations .
Srimal Fernando drives 800km Road Trip & Incredible Stops on Sri Lanka’s North on on A-32 Northern coastal Highway which is one of the most elegant land routes (The Mannar-Jaffna road highway to Jaffna via Sangupiddy Bridge )
Srimal Fernando drives 800km Road Trip & Incredible Stops on Sri Lanka’s North on on A-32 Northern coastal Highway which is one of the most elegant land routes (The Mannar-Jaffna road highway to Jaffna via Sangupiddy Bridge )
Today 6 years after the war ended the former War-torn cities
such as Jaffna , Mannar & madhu in Northern Sri Lanka hadbecome hot spot for local tourists. A Sri Lanka Army statistics (declared on Aug 30, 2012) – point out that over 12.5 milliontourists have visited Jaffna the capital of the Tamil dominatedNorthern Province following the end of war in May 2009.
Srimal Fernando at Mannar Fort is located on Mannar Island, Sri Lanka. It was built by Portuguese in 1560. The fort fell to the Dutch in 1658, and they rebuilt the fort in 1696. In 1795 the British occupied the fort following the surrender by the Dutch
Srimal Fernando at Mannar Fort is located on Mannar Island, Sri Lanka.  It was built by Portuguese in 1560. The fort fell to the Dutch in 1658, and they rebuilt the fort in 1696. In 1795 the British occupied the fort following the surrender by the Dutch
During my stay in Jaffna in a town called “ a Manipay I wasinvited for a lunch .whilst I was having this delicious NorthernTamil dish in a banna leaf a old gentlemen of age of 80 yearscame to me and held my hand and told me “ Son ,”you have thedetermination and spirit and you can create your own culture. “Youmust embrace change “ “it happens for a reason” in the end itwill be worth it ….

Whilst I was driving back to Colombo I saw many faces in my beloved country “Sri Lanka”…Was thinking if we are determined and if have that positive spirit “ people in one country could shape
the future of a nation ,her History, and her progressive
traditions”
Fort Hammenhiel.Horseshoe shape fort with four circular bastions was built to protect Jaffna Peninsula like other Portuguese forts in the peninsula.The Portuguese fort in the island has been built with four circular bastions around 1629Rights AAN
Fort Hammenhiel.Horseshoe shape fort with four circular bastions was built to protect Jaffna Peninsula like other Portuguese forts in the peninsula.The Portuguese fort in the island has been built with four circular bastions around 1629 Rights AAN

Srimal Fernando at Jaffna -Karainagar road It is located 20 km from Jaffna, Sri Lanka, on the Karaitivu
Srimal Fernando at Jaffna -Karainagar road It is located 20 km from Jaffna, Sri Lanka, on the Karaitivu
The church of Our Lady of Madhu is a Roman Catholic shrine in the Mannar district of Sri Lanka. With a history of many centuries, Picture Rights AAN
The church of Our Lady of Madhu is a Roman Catholic shrine in the Mannar district of Sri Lanka. With a history of many centuries, Picture Rights AAN
One of the oldest Hindu temples in Jaffna Karainagar. Rights AAN
One of the oldest Hindu temples in Jaffna Karainagar. Rights AAN
Srimal Fernando at Keerimalai Naguleswaram temple), historically known also as the Thirutambaleswaram Kovil of Keerimalai, is a famous Hindu temple in Keerimalai, located north of Jaffna, Northern Province, Sri Lanka near the ancient port of Kankesanthurai. One of the oldest shrines of the region, it is the northernmost shrine on the island of the five ancient Iswarams of Lord Siva,
Srimal Fernando at Keerimalai Naguleswaram temple), historically known also as the Thirutambaleswaram Kovil of Keerimalai, is a famous Hindu temple in Keerimalai, located north of Jaffna, Northern Province, Sri Lanka near the ancient port of Kankesanthurai. One of the oldest shrines of the region, it is the northernmost shrine on the island of the five ancient Iswarams of Lord Siva,
Srimal Fernando at Mannar Island
Srimal Fernando at Mannar Island
Srimal Fernando at Vellayakulam atdrive on A-32 Northern coastal Highway which is one of the most elegant land routes (The Mannar-Jaffna road highway to Jaffna via Sangupiddy Bridge ) Rights AAN
Srimal Fernando at Vellayakulam atdrive on A-32 Northern coastal Highway which is one of the most elegant land routes (The Mannar-Jaffna road highway to Jaffna via Sangupiddy Bridge ) Rights AAN
One of the oldest Hindu temples in Jaffna Karainagar. Pix AAN
One of the oldest Hindu temples in Jaffna Karainagar. Pix AAN
Srimal Fernando at One of the oldest Hindu temples in Jaffna Karainagar. Pix AAN
Srimal Fernando at One of the oldest Hindu temples in Jaffna Karainagar. Pix AAN
Srimal Fernando at Jaffna
Srimal Fernando at Jaffna
Kankesanthurai or KKS, is a town with a harbour, of Jaffna District, Rights AAN
Kankesanthurai or KKS, is a town with a harbour, of Jaffna District, Rights AAN
Kankesanthurai or KKS, is a town with a harbour, of Jaffna District, Rights AAN
Kankesanthurai or KKS, is a town with a harbour, of Jaffna District, Rights AAN
Srimal Fernando at Sangupiddy Bridge is a road bridge across Jaffna Lagoon in northern Sri Lanka. It connects Sangupiddy in Kilinochchi District to Karaitivu in Jaffna DistricRights AAN
Srimal Fernando at Sangupiddy Bridge is a road bridge across Jaffna Lagoon in northern Sri Lanka. It connects Sangupiddy in Kilinochchi District to Karaitivu in Jaffna District Rights AAN
Kankesanthurai or KKS, is a town with a harbour, of Jaffna District, Rights AAN
Kankesanthurai or KKS, is a town with a harbour, of Jaffna District, Rights AAN
Srimal Fernando at Sangupiddy Bridge is a road bridge across Jaffna Lagoon in northern Sri Lanka. It connects Sangupiddy in Kilinochchi District to Karaitivu in Jaffna District Rights AAN
Srimal Fernando at Sangupiddy Bridge is a road bridge across Jaffna Lagoon in northern Sri Lanka. It connects Sangupiddy in Kilinochchi District to Karaitivu in Jaffna District Rights AAN
drive on A-32 Northern coastal Highway which is one of the most elegant land routes (The Mannar-Jaffna road highway to Jaffna via Sangupiddy Bridge ) Rights AAN
drive on A-32 Northern coastal Highway which is one of the most elegant land routes (The Mannar-Jaffna road highway to Jaffna via Sangupiddy Bridge ) Rights AAN
Srimal Fernando at Mannar Fort is located on Mannar Island, Sri Lanka. It was built by Portuguese in 1560. The fort fell to the Dutch in 1658, and they rebuilt the fort in 1696. In 1795 the British occupied the fort following the surrender by the Dutch Rights AAN
Srimal Fernando at Mannar Fort is located on Mannar Island, Sri Lanka. It was built by Portuguese in 1560. The fort fell to the Dutch in 1658, and they rebuilt the fort in 1696. In 1795 the British occupied the fort following the surrender by the Dutch Rights AAN
Buddhist Archeological excavations at Kandarodai in Jaffna, ruins dated to the 9th century AD. Rights AAN
Buddhist Archeological excavations at Kandarodai in Jaffna, ruins dated to the 9th century AD. Rights AAN
Srimal Fernando Mannar Fort is located on Mannar Island, Sri Lanka. It was built by Portuguese in 1560. The fort fell to the Dutch in 1658, and they rebuilt the fort in 1696. In 1795 the British occupied the fort following the surrender by the Dutch
Srimal Fernando Mannar Fort is located on Mannar Island, Sri Lanka. It was built by Portuguese in 1560. The fort fell to the Dutch in 1658, and they rebuilt the fort in 1696. In 1795 the British occupied the fort following the surrender by the Dutch
Mannar Fort is located on Mannar Island, Sri Lanka. It was built by Portuguese in 1560. The fort fell to the Dutch in 1658, and they rebuilt the fort in 1696. In 1795 the British occupied the fort following the surrender by the Dutch rights AAN
Mannar Fort is located on Mannar Island, Sri Lanka. It was built by Portuguese in 1560. The fort fell to the Dutch in 1658, and they rebuilt the fort in 1696. In 1795 the British occupied the fort following the surrender by the Dutch rights AAN
Fort Hammenhiel.Horseshoe shape fort with four circular bastions was built to protect Jaffna Peninsula like other Portuguese forts in the peninsula.The Portuguese fort in the island has been built with four circular bastions around 1629 Rights AAN
Fort Hammenhiel.Horseshoe shape fort with four circular bastions was built to protect Jaffna Peninsula like other Portuguese forts in the peninsula.The Portuguese fort in the island has been built with four circular bastions around 1629 Rights AAN
drive on A-32 Northern coastal Highway which is one of the most elegant land routes (The Mannar-Jaffna road highway to Jaffna via Sangupiddy Bridge ) Rights AAN
drive on A-32 Northern coastal Highway which is one of the most elegant land routes (The Mannar-Jaffna road highway to Jaffna via Sangupiddy Bridge ) Rights AAN
Srimal Fernando at The church of Our Lady of Madhu is a Roman Catholic shrine in the Mannar district of Sri Lanka. With a history of many centuries Rights AAN ,
Srimal Fernando at The church of Our Lady of Madhu is a Roman Catholic shrine in the Mannar district of Sri Lanka. With a history of many centuries Rights AAN ,
The railway station in Jaffna is being reconstructed by the Sri Lanka after 30 years of Conflict benfiting the people of North Rights AAN
The railway station in Jaffna is being reconstructed by the Sri Lanka after 30 years of Conflict benfiting the people of North Rights AAN
Train to Jaffna -The railway station in Jaffna is being reconstructed by the Sri Lanka after 30 years of Conflict benfiting the people of North Rights AAN
Train to Jaffna -The railway station in Jaffna is being reconstructed by the Sri Lanka after 30 years of Conflict benfiting the people of North Rights AAN
Keerimalai Naguleswaram temple), historically known also as the Thirutambaleswaram Kovil of Keerimalai, is a famous Hindu temple in Keerimalai, located north of Jaffna, Northern Province, Sri Lanka near the ancient port of Kankesanthurai. One of the oldest shrines of the region, it is the northernmost shrine on the island of the five ancient Iswarams of Lord Siva, Rights AAN
Keerimalai Naguleswaram temple), historically known also as the Thirutambaleswaram Kovil of Keerimalai, is a famous Hindu temple in Keerimalai, located north of Jaffna, Northern Province, Sri Lanka near the ancient port of Kankesanthurai. One of the oldest shrines of the region, it is the northernmost shrine on the island of the five ancient Iswarams of Lord Siva, Rights AAN
Srimal Fernando at Mannar Island
Srimal Fernando at Mannar Island
Srimal Fernando at Wilpattu's thick jungles
Srimal Fernando at Wilpattu’s thick jungles
Srimal Fernando at Kankesanthurai or KKS, is a town with a harbour, of Jaffna District,
Srimal Fernando at Kankesanthurai or KKS, is a town with a harbour, of Jaffna District,
Srimal Fernando at aHindu Temple on A 32 road
Srimal Fernando at aHindu Temple on A 32 road
Srimal Fernando on A 32 road Mannar to Jaffna Rights AAN
Srimal Fernando on A 32 road Mannar to Jaffna Rights AAN
Srimal Fernando at Sangupiddy Bridge is a road bridge across Jaffna Lagoon in northern Sri Lanka. It connects Sangupiddy in Kilinochchi District to Karaitivu in Jaffna District
Srimal Fernando at Sangupiddy Bridge is a road bridge across Jaffna Lagoon in northern Sri Lanka. It connects Sangupiddy in Kilinochchi District to Karaitivu in Jaffna District
Srimal Fernando at One Natioan One Country monument in A 32 high way Northern Province Photographic Rights AAN
Srimal Fernando at One Natioan One Country monument in A 32 high way Northern

 (https://srimalfernando.wordpress.com/2015/07/22/fantastic-800km-road-trip-incredible-stops-on-sri-lankas-on-a-32-northern-coastal-highway-story-pictures-by-srimal-fernando/ )
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)