Batticaloa District, Administrative district in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka
Batticaloa District is an administrative region along Sri Lanka's eastern coast, covering about 2,850 square kilometers. It features numerous lagoons, sandy beaches, and flat terrain dotted with palm groves and wetlands that stretch inland from the shore.
The region began as an ancient Tamil settlement before Portuguese forces took control in the 1600s. Control changed hands several times afterward, each period leaving marks on the local architecture and way of life.
Tamil, Moor, and Sinhalese communities live side by side, each following Hinduism, Islam, or Christianity. You can see this diversity reflected in the temples, mosques, churches, and the way people gather in town squares and markets.
The main highway links this region to other parts of the country, making it accessible by road. Come prepared for hot, humid weather and plan your visit during the drier months for better conditions.
The lagoon here produces strange sounds at night that locals call singing fish, a phenomenon that has intrigued people for generations. This mysterious natural occurrence remains one of the region's most talked-about features among visitors and residents alike.
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