Poonakary or Pooneryn ( Tamil : பூநகரி , romanized: Pūnakari ; Sinhala : පූනෙරිය , romanized: Pūneriya ), is a strategically important village situated on the Jaffna Lagoon , directly across from the Jaffna Peninsula in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka .
8-639: Situated in the Vanni region , the town was colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century and a fort was constructed in the town due to its strategic location on the Jaffna Lagoon. It was later taken and expanded by the Dutch . According to 1770 records, it was square shaped with two bastions at opposite corners. The ramparts on each of the sides were about 30 metres in length. It was garrisoned until
16-643: Is the name given to the mainland area of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka . It covers the entirety of Mannar , Mullaitivu and Vavuniya Districts , and most of Kilinochchi District . It has an area of approximately 7,650 square kilometres (2,950 sq mi). The population and infrastructure of the Vanni were devastated by the Sri Lankan Civil War . Tamil feudal chiefs called Vanniar chiefs who have their origin here cultivated
24-497: The Vanni has irrigation tanks fed by perennial rivers . Major rivers include: Akkarayan Aru , Aruvi Aru , Kanakarayan Aru , Kodalikkallu Aru , Mandekal Aru , two called Nay Aru , Netheli Aru , Pali Aru , Pallavarayankaddu Aru , Parangi Aru , Per Aru , Piramenthal Aru , Theravil Aru . There are also a number of lagoons around the Vanni, the largest being Jaffna Lagoon , Nanthi Kadal , Chundikkulam Lagoon , Kokkilai Lagoon , Nai Aru Lagoon and Chalai Lagoon . Much of
32-701: The Vanni in the first millennium of the Common Era governing what were called Vannimai , the Jaffna Kingdom 's land divisions located south of the Jaffna Peninsula in the present-day Northern , North Central and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. Geographically, the Vanni is distinct from the Jaffna Peninsula , the other area of the Northern Province. Jaffna peninsula is irrigated by underground aquifers fed by wells whereas
40-422: The interior (approximately 4,200 km (1,600 sq mi)) of the Vanni is covered by dense forest . The Vanni had a population of nearly 700,000 in 2007, making it one of the most sparsely populated areas of Sri Lanka. However, the area's population figures have been highly volatile due to massive displacement caused by the Sri Lankan Civil War . Pallavarayankaddu Aru The Pallavarayankaddu Aru
48-653: The late 18th century. The British built a rest house there in 1805. Since 1983, and due to the Civil War , the town was garrisoned by the Sri Lankan Army . In 1993, the town was the site of a major battle during the civil war. During the battle, the LTTE attacked and failed to take the town. They did however managed to capture equipment such as assault rifles, ammunition, machine guns, mortars and even two T-55 tanks which proved to be vital to their forces. The town
56-536: Was beginning to collapse . The town has since then been garrisoned by the Sri Lankan Army. The fort itself has been abandoned and left to the elements. The fort is accessible to the public. 9°30′N 80°12′E / 9.500°N 80.200°E / 9.500; 80.200 This Northern Province, Sri Lanka location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Vanni (Sri Lanka) The Vanni , also spelled Wanni ,
64-515: Was later evacuated by the Sri Lankan Army due to tactical reasons in 1996. The LTTE occupied the town and maintained a garrison due to its strategic location. The fort was used during the Second Battle of Elephant Pass , where the LTTE bombed Elephant Pass from Poonakary and bombed soldiers who retreated to Jaffna . The town was recaptured by the Sri Lankan Army on November 15, 2008. The LTTE
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