Sampur Foul Point Lighthouse

Sampur Foul Point Lighthouse Trincomalee

The Foul Point Lighthouse (aka Sampur Lighthouse) has been guiding seafarers safely to their destinations for decades. The lighthouse was built in 1863 with a height of 32 metres and diameter of 25 metres. The lighthouse is built in to 5 levels with steel stairs.

Trincomalee is a deep-season natural harbor that was used by the ancient king’s thousands of years ago. Known as Gokanna in ancient times, this harbor was a key strategic location in which all the European invaders were keen on taking control. Once the coastal area was captured by the Portuguese in the 17th century, the Kandyan kingdom’s access to the sea was primarily through Batticaloa and through Koddiyar Bay inside Trincomalee bay.

Antonio Bocarro states in 1635, that the objective for building the Trincomalee Fort by the Portuguese was to prevent European enemies from putting up a fort on this side of the island and then contacting the king of Kandy and from having communications with him through Kottiyarama (now Somapura Seruvila area).

Sampur Foul Point Lighthouse Trincomalee

Foul Point is the outer southeast point of Trincomalee Bay. The Foul Point Lighthouse (Sampur Lighthouse) was built in 1863 by the British with a height of 32 meters and diameter of 25 metres. The lighthouse is built in to 5 levels with steel stairs and has been guiding seafarers safely to their destinations for centuries..

During the 30-year war with the Tamil Tiger Terrorists in the Northern and Eastern regions of Sri Lanka, these ares were under terrorist control from time to time. This lighthouse was accessible only through the sea during this period and was never used or maintained. However, the terrorist organization along with its leadership was wiped out in 2009 and slowly the life of the villagers was brought back to normalcy with the removal of the landmines and such. Although the lighthouse stood, it was riddled with bullet holes due to the frequent battles.

However, after a long time standing as a witness to the brutality of war, it has been finally repairs and restored to its ancient glory now. The light house is now under the management of the Navy and it is accessible to any person now.