Jaffna

Jaffna is a city on the northern tip of Sri Lanka, situated on the Jaffna Peninsula. It is the capital of the Northern Province and the administrative center of Jaffna District. The city has long been a commercial and cultural hub for Tamil communities in the region.

It sits on flat coastal plains cut by lagoons and channels, with a hot tropical climate and a pronounced dry season. Most rainfall occurs during the northeast monsoon, contributing to the arid conditions that characterize the peninsula.

Historically the seat of the medieval Jaffna Kingdom, the city passed to Portuguese and Dutch control before becoming part of British Ceylon. Notable landmarks include the Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, the 17th-century Jaffna Fort, and the Keerimalai springs nearby. The Jaffna Public Library, a symbol of Tamil literacy, was burned in 1981 during ethnic clashes.

Most residents are Tamil and Hindu, with minority Christian and Muslim communities. The economy centers on fishing, small-scale trading, and agriculture, including coconut and palmyra. The city has a rich tradition of Tamil culture, literature, and religious life.

Since the end of the civil war, Jaffna has undergone reconstruction and renewal. It is connected by road to Colombo via the A-9 and is served by Jaffna International Airport near Palaly; regional rail services have been progressively restored.