The historic Dutch-built Jaffna Fort vandalized by Tiger terrorists using it as a strong point for their cover some time ago is being brought back to its old grandeur with the support of Army Engineers who have commenced unearthing LTTE mines and Unexploded Ordnance around its moat.
In parallel with renovation work undertaken by the Department of Archaeology, now in progress with financial support given by the government of Netherlands, troops of the 1 Field Engineers Regiment jumping into action started de-mining work in and around the moat of the Jaffna Fort on the instructions of the Commander of the Army and the Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna.
Earlier, Army Engineer troops after the Security Forces regained this world heritage site from the grips of terrorism during Riviresa military operation completed de-mining in the immediate environs of the fort, enabling the public to use the area.
Army de-miners expect to complete the ongoing de-mining in and around the moat within a matter of three months. The renovation of the entire Fort costs the government of Netherlands a total of Rs. 100 million.
Maintenance of the Fort was neglected when it fell out of the government administration after a pitched battle between the government forces and the LTTE who used it as a terrorist strong point. It was regained by the Security Forces in 1996. Terrorists paying no heed to the historic value of this world heritage blasted some parts of the construction and caused extensive damages to it. Army Engineer troops had to toil around the clock to de-mine the Fort before it was reopened for the public.
The team of Field Engineer solders assigned to the task started removing the mines and Unexploded Ordnance (UXOs) in the moat on 20th April. Army de-miners expect to complete the project within three months.
The fort built by Portuguese at Jaffna in 1618 when they invaded Jaffna, was captured by the Dutch in 1658 and expanded it. This is being reconstructed by the Archaeological Department with financial aid of the Netherlands. Total cost for the renovation of this historical Dutch Fort is estimated approximately to be Rs. 100 million.
In parallel with renovation work undertaken by the Department of Archaeology, now in progress with financial support given by the government of Netherlands, troops of the 1 Field Engineers Regiment jumping into action started de-mining work in and around the moat of the Jaffna Fort on the instructions of the Commander of the Army and the Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna.
Earlier, Army Engineer troops after the Security Forces regained this world heritage site from the grips of terrorism during Riviresa military operation completed de-mining in the immediate environs of the fort, enabling the public to use the area.
Army de-miners expect to complete the ongoing de-mining in and around the moat within a matter of three months. The renovation of the entire Fort costs the government of Netherlands a total of Rs. 100 million.
Maintenance of the Fort was neglected when it fell out of the government administration after a pitched battle between the government forces and the LTTE who used it as a terrorist strong point. It was regained by the Security Forces in 1996. Terrorists paying no heed to the historic value of this world heritage blasted some parts of the construction and caused extensive damages to it. Army Engineer troops had to toil around the clock to de-mine the Fort before it was reopened for the public.
The team of Field Engineer solders assigned to the task started removing the mines and Unexploded Ordnance (UXOs) in the moat on 20th April. Army de-miners expect to complete the project within three months.
The fort built by Portuguese at Jaffna in 1618 when they invaded Jaffna, was captured by the Dutch in 1658 and expanded it. This is being reconstructed by the Archaeological Department with financial aid of the Netherlands. Total cost for the renovation of this historical Dutch Fort is estimated approximately to be Rs. 100 million.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
