Trincomalee: An Incentive for Western Imperial Intrusions

Francis P Welangoda, presenting  an article entitled  “Ceylon Then / Sri Lanka Now!”

HISTORY OF TRINCOMALEE.:   Trincomalee had derived its name from the anglicized version of the old Tamil word,‘ Thiru- kona-malai ‘ meaning ‘Lord of the Sacred Hill’. it is apparent that over the ages Trincomalee had been closely associated with the historic Kovil of Koneswaram built around 1,580 BC.

Shape of Trincomalee, district of Sri Lanka, with its capital isolated on white background. Bilevel elevation map. 3D rendering Stock Photo – Alamy

During the Portuguese era in Sri Lanka, which saw them gain influence on the eastern coast by the late 16th century, the Portuguese estsblished Fort Fedrick in 1624, using the stone from the demolished Koneshwaram temple. The city was later occupied by other European powers, but the fort remained a crucial strategic point, changing hands between the Danish, Dutch, French, and finally the British by 1795.

 

The Portuguese spelled Trincomalee as Triquinimale or Triquillimale when referring to the location and the fort they built there, known as the Fort of Triquillimale.

Triquinimale was the name used in a historical document by Bocarro, a Portuguese chronicler.

Triquillimale was the name the Portuguese gave to their triangular fort constructed in the area.

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                    This photo  seems to be one from the British era in  the  20th century and depicts a small military  gathering  at t he bastion  overlooking the sea near the  narbour entrance.. IT has been extracted via an internet search by The  Editor, Thuppahi