Fallen Water Tower

Jaffna & the North


Right near the centre of town, an enormous concrete water tower lies on its side where it was toppled in the final days of the war in 2008. The sheer size and obvious violence needed to destroy it is sobering. A gift shop on site has a big sign that reads 'Souvenir Galore'. Items for sale include T-shirts with the slogan 'Reawakening K-town!'


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Jaffna & the North attractions

1. Buldozer Memorial

7.35 MILES

About 1km south of the causeway's southern end, there is a large memorial to Gamini Kularatne, a Sri Lanka Army soldier who single-handedly disabled an…

2. Elephant Pass War Memorial

8.85 MILES

This grandiose, vaguely stupa-like monument glorifies the role of the Sri Lankan armed forces in defeating the LTTE and lauds the role of former President…

3. Chempiyanpattu Beach

16.14 MILES

There’s a stunning beach here – a classic tropical picture of white sand, azure ocean and swaying coconut palms – though absolutely no facilities. Perfect…

4. Monument of Victory

22.24 MILES

Set amid a marsh, a huge gold-coloured torso of a soldier juts up from the ground. It's bombastic to say the least; nearby a small building houses map…

5. Shelling Zone

23.85 MILES

A small dirt road near the Sea Tiger Shipyard runs northwest and is back from the beach. Go about 1km from the A35 and stop near a military base entrance…

6. Sea Tiger Shipyard

24.34 MILES

The LTTE navy was a guerrilla force that operated for decades, often organising suicide attacks on government ships and ports. This site is where…

7. Vaddu Vakal Bridge

27.78 MILES

This single-lane concrete veteran still bears war scars. When the fish are running, the sides are lined with people casting nets; it's one of the few…

8. Manalkadu Beach

27.81 MILES

A small dirt road runs for 3.1km off the B371 to this lovely beach. There are a few fishing boats, some palm trees and not much else on the sand. The…