|
|
 |
  |
| Sunday, 3 October 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Trincomalee bay : A 'protected' wonder by Vimukthi Fernando Legend has it that it is the port where Prince Panduwasdeva took refuge in. It was called Gokanna, or Gonagamaka then. Entwined with Mahaweli the longest river of Sri Lanka it sustained peasant lives of the time - being the main port which supplied goods to and fro, the agrarian kingdoms of the dry zone.
It was an important port in Ptolemy's time, and is mentioned in his documentations of the country. Legend also depicts it as the main port for Sri Lankan fleets, where King Parakramabahu I, sent off his 100 strong flotilla to invade Burma. The Trincomalee port, or rather the Trincomalee bay could be called one of the wonders of the world. Completely sheltered from monsoonal weather, the inner bay is not even visible from the sea. It is said the port could even hide the whole of the British East Indian fleet. Perhaps, this was the reason that propelled foreign invaders who ruled Sri Lanka, to hold it dear. While both the Portuguese and the Dutch used it well, it was the British who made the best use of the bay and made it a complete war port. Equipped with an aerodrome and 100 oil storage tanks it was the control centre of the Indian ocean operations during World War II.
Memorabilia from these different periods are strewn in and around the bay. Shipwrecks dating back to the Portuguese period and tropical fish and corals are some of the wonders lying in the shallow waters of the port. A delight to the weary traveller is a dip in its calm and warm waters. Take the Coral Cove for instance, where a coral reef about 100 meters from the beach makes it an ideal pool. The water is shallow, while the sand is milky, made out of broken coral coming ashore with each tide. The clear, shallow, waters of the Green Bay, which one reaches after a steep descent, reflects a distinct green. With very white sand and surrounded by trees, it makes one wonder whether the water reflects the green above. Many are the coves and bays, separated and obscure from one another by hills and islets. Nicholson cove, Deadman's cove, Malay cove, Pearl bay, Marble bay, Cod bay are some of the well known. However, it may not be possible for the average traveller to enjoy the delights of the Trincomalee bay for some time. For, it is declared a high security zone. Besides its beauty and the entertainment it offers, the threat to the Trincomalee bay runs as deep as some of the deepest inshore waters (over 3000 feet in depth) it holds. It is also the centre of attention of any country wanting to wield military power over the Indian ocean. Present day Trincomalee port has some important landmarks as well. The Tokyo Cement, Prima Food and Sri Lanka Indian Oil are some of the multinational companies operating from the port. It was only in August 2002 that the 200 meters long Ashraff quay was opened, to enhance the port facilities. Trincomalee port is also vital, for it has become the lifeline of the people in the North, who became increasingly dependent on supplies and cargo from the port after land routes were blocked by terrorist activity during the 20 years of ethnic conflict. There is also a concentration of military strength in the periphery and within the bay holding the Sri Lanka Navy dockyard, an Air Force division at China Bay and a concentration of Sri Lanka Army and Police personnel in the periphery. The port is also an eminent target of LTTE attack for the same reason. Since the beginning of the conflict, there had been three suicidal attacks on the port - two in April and October 1995 and another, in October 2000 and many attempts. Even after the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE, in November 2001, there were newspaper reports of an attempt to seize the port, which was foiled. And at present the threat lies heavy on the port, with LTTE concentration in the south side of the harbour. The threat is there every day, say officials at the Dockyard. LTTE could launch suicidal craft attacks or through underwater saboteurs or craft. Foul Point (Kevuliya Point) at the southern approach to the harbour had become a stronghold, since the MoU. And Sampur, another concentration, was in the limelight recently, due to the controversial satellite camps the LTTE had established in the area. The threat from long range artillery and mortars of the LTTE, cannot be discounted said the official. However, safeguarding this strategic location the Navy has fortified its security points. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
