Jaffna is the nucleus of the Northern Peninsula situated 398 km away from Colombo. It is not only a geographic entity but also a cultural and ethnic one as well. Jaffna can be proud of its distinctive scenery and climate (warm and dry). There are many interesting evidences of Portuguese and Dutch occupation of the 16th 17th and 18th Centuries. Places of interest include a ruined Portuguese Church at Myliddy and at Atchuvely, a typical Dutch style church. The Fort and the Church in Jaffna are the best preserved Dutch antiques.
Another place of interest to visit is the famed Hindu temple dedicated to God Skanda at Nallur. Travellers can enjoy good swimming; very scenic unpopulated beaches and many off-shore islands, especially Nagadipa, a historic Buddhist Pilgrim Centre with a pre-Christian history. Another must place to visit is the delft island, once famous for its wild Ponies and Hammenhiel with its 390-year-old sea girt Fort. The Smugglers caverns at Kerudavil, the Nilavarai Tidal well and the Keerimalai mineral springs also deserve visits. There are archaeological excavations of Buddhist shrines currently being undertaken at Kantarodai. Jaffna is famous for many varieties of delicious Mangoes and Seafood. In Jaffna, the Palmyrah replaces the coconut palm.