Plans afoot to conserve Historic Dutch Fort in Kalpitiya

By Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe   

The 500 year old Kalpitiya Dutch Fort is to be conserved as a national heritage building under a project implemented by the Department of Archaeology .The fort originally built by the Portuguese had been taken over by the Dutch and since then known as the Dutch fort.   

Asst. Director of Archaeology, North Western Province N.M.Gunatilleka said the conservation project would be implemented in stages and completed in two years. He said priority would be given to the areas in dilapidated condition. He pointed out that the historic building would be a tourist attraction. The official said the Portuguese had built the fort with ramparts facing the sea on the belief that enemies would arrive by sea and not by land.   “ Vijaya Naval Base has been housed in the Dutch fort for more than 30 years. The fort would be brought under the purview of the Department of Archaeology after completing the conservation project. However the Navy will provide protection. The access road to the fort through the naval base would be changed and the tourists will have to use another entrance.” The Asst. Director further said.