Batticaloa Lagoon, Coastal lagoon in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka

Batticaloa Lagoon is a narrow lagoon about 56 km long on Sri Lanka's east coast, covering roughly 11,500 ha of water. It runs from Eravur in Batticaloa District south to Kalmunai in Ampara District and meets the Indian Ocean through two narrow channels, about 200 m wide, at Palameenmadu near Batticaloa town and at Kallar in the south. Small rivers feed it, and sand bars close the channels in the dry season.

Batticaloa Lagoon lies between the lagoon and the Indian Ocean, and the town of Batticaloa grew on the strip of land separating the two. The lagoon stretches 56 km from Eravur in Batticaloa District south to Kalmunai in Ampara District, opening to the sea through two narrow channels about 200 m wide, at Kallar in the south and Palameenmadu near the town. During the dry season sand bars close these mouths, and the northeast monsoon then piles up the bar until the rains return.

Local fishing families have depended on these waters for generations, shaping daily routines and community life along the shoreline. The lagoon remains central to how people here earn their living and spend their time.

The lagoon runs 56 km from Eravur in the north to Kalmunai in the south, and the city of Batticaloa sits on the strip of land between lagoon and ocean. It meets the sea through two narrow openings, about 200 m wide, at Palameenmadu near town and at Kallar in the south. In the dry season sand bars close these mouths, so boat access to the sea depends on the rains.

At night, unusual sounds emerge from the lagoon waters, attributed to the phenomenon of singing fish. This mysterious natural occurrence has drawn attention to the lagoon for many years.