One of the finest natural deepwater harbours in the world, located in the eastern seaboard of Sri Lanka approximately 245km from Colombo. There is an account of “Gokanna”, as it was known during the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa period, attracting great sea fares in the calibre Marco Polo and Ptolemy. Then the arrival of the Western empires saw this harbour turn into a battleground of empire building, first the Portuguese, then the Hollanders and finally the British in succession came into being here along with the brief attack and capture of Fort Fredrick by the French Admiral De Suffren. Lord Nelson, the famed admiral of the battle of Trafalgar, visiting on board HMS Seashore 1770 reportedly said that Trincomalee is the finest harbour in the world. Places of interests are the swami rock “Thirukoneswaran” Temple, original of which was raised to the ground by Genaral De sa’s soldiers, lovers leap- so called because of a tragic tale of a Dutch maiden committed suicide by taking a leap off the rock, Marble beach with its crystal-clear water, along with fort Fredrick. Further down towards the North stretches a cemetery where the WWII British soldiers now at rest in the name of defending the empire. Visit the famous hot water springs, seven in all, travelling northwest to Kanniya expect crowds and note that they are public baths.