According to written records Jaffna peninsula is mentioned for the first time in connection with the second visit of the Buddha to Sri Lanka. In the historic period Jaffna became famous because of the Dambakola Patuna port. After the introduction of Buddhism to the country during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa the envoys including Arittha left for the Maurya kingdom of Asoka and returned from the Dambukola Patuna.
Jaffna’s full of hidden treasures including the famous library dating back to 1841, Jaffna Fort (built in 1680), nearby Nainativu Island, Nagadeepa Purana Vihara and the spectacular Nallur Kovil. You can also sail out to nearby Delft Island and see the wild horses, left behind by the Portuguese in the 16th century.
Jaffna is now rising as a must-see Sri Lanka holiday destination as it offers much to do and has a fascinating culture that is markedly different from that of the rest of the island, influenced by many traditions from South India.