Mullaitivu fort (Tamil: முல்லைத்தீவுக் கோட்டை, romanized: Mullaittīvuk Kōṭṭai; Sinhala: මූලදූව බලකොටුව Mūladūwa Balakotuwa) was built by the Dutch in Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka. The original fort, a small wooden structure with palisades and earth, was erected in 1715. In 1721 the Dutch constructed a quadrangular fort on the site. The fort was initially erected to control the unauthorised commerce between the Chetties and the Kingdom of Kandy, it subsequently formed part of a strategic defence of Dutch territory against the Vannimai.

Mullaitivu fort
Part of Mullaitivu
Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka
Remains of Mullaitivu Fort
location of Mullaitivu is located in Northern Province
location of Mullaitivu
location of Mullaitivu
Coordinates9°16′59″N 80°48′00″E / 9.283°N 80.8°E / 9.283; 80.8
TypeDefense fort
Site information
Open to
the public
yes
Site history
Built1715
Built byDutch
Battles/warsSeveral

The fort was rebuilt by British during their occupation of the country in 1795.[1] On 25 August 1803 the fort was captured and destroyed by forces led by Pandara Vanniyan.[2][3] The commander of the fort, Captain von Driberg, and his troops garrisoned at the fort managed to escape by boats to Jaffna.[4] Pandara Vanniyan and his forces were subsequently defeated by Captain von Driberg and the British troops at Kachchilamadu on 31 October 1803.Now it is located into Mullaitivu Kacheri. [3][4]

References

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  1. ^ "Dutch fort at Mullaitivu". AmazingLanka.com. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  2. ^ Somasundaram, Daya (2014). Scarred Communities: Psychosocial Impact of Man-made and Natural Disasters on Sri Lankan Society. New Delhi: SAGE. p. 52. ISBN 9788132111689. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Pandara Vanniyan memorial place destroyed in Katchilaimadu". 23 April 2010. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  4. ^ a b "The Kandy war and the reprisals". Sunday Times. 31 August 1997. Retrieved 19 November 2014.