Batticaloa Lagoon and Kallady Beach

Batticaloa is a district capital in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province, situated 110 km south of Trincomalee, which is the provincial capital. Batticaloa is situated on a peninsula and an island at the mouth of Sri Lanka’s largest and most dendritic lagoon. At the open ocean, there are long sandy beaches in the suburb of Batticaloa at the opposite side of the lagoon’s opening, namely on the  isthums of Kallady. The main cultural attractions of Batticaloa are the Dutch Fort and several Hindu shrines, the temple festivals of which are spectacular. Batticaloa is not yet a mass tourism destination. Guesthouses are available, particularly at the beach of Kallady, but most travellers visiting the coastline of Batticaloa District stay in Pasikudah, which is located 30 km further north. The shallow region of the Batticaloa Lagoon is a perfect place for cycling tours.