Quaint Kilinochchi

Predominantly home to the farming community, Kilinochchi promises landscapes of paddy, coconut, chillie and onion cultivations brimming with life. Lively villagers fill the rural dust paths fringed with thick groves of palmyra trees, and are always ready to help the sightseeing traveller despite the language barrier. Eight kilometres from the Kilinochchi city lies Iranamadu, one of the largest manmade reservoirs, built by the ancient King Datusena. To this date it is central to the irrigation and sanitation operation of Kilinochchi.

For nature lovers, the Chundikulam Bird Sanctuary is the northern wildlife destination. Birds flock here throughout the year and butterflies add colour during the season. 

Veiled by these scenes are debris of the conflict that ended six years ago where towards Jaffna stands the Elephant Pass War Memorial in remembrance of lost souls. The Kilinochchi Water Tank destroyed by fleeing LTTE cadres, Black Tiger Training Base, Vishwamadu the LTTE prison and the LTTE leader’s Houses equipped with bunkers and armoury give gruesome insight to past terrors.

The sunny Kilinochchi in the North is a destination for the soul-searching holidayer in want of a taste of history. Dress lightly to bare the formidable heat but be sensitive to local sentiments when visiting religious sites.