Sri Lanka, Region
Latitude and longitude: 8.211480°; 79.765936°
(modified by RB from Wikipedia)
Surface: 0. km2
Distance from mainland: m
Interest for tourism: +++
Interest for Polymotu project: ++ (linked to the tourism facilities)
Other conservation interest: unknown
The Island, known among the local fishing population as “Kuttikele”, is a 12 acre land surrounded by a strip of mangroves to one side, which provides a natural shade and shelter while preventing erosion. It is separated with the adjacent island of “Kuttikaduwa” by a small canal way used by local fisherman as a popular fishing location.
Latitude and longitude: 8.211480°; 79.765936°
(modified by RB from Wikipedia)
Surface: 0. km2
Distance from mainland: m
Interest for tourism: +++
Interest for Polymotu project: ++ (linked to the tourism facilities)
Other conservation interest: unknown
The Island, known among the local fishing population as “Kuttikele”, is a 12 acre land surrounded by a strip of mangroves to one side, which provides a natural shade and shelter while preventing erosion. It is separated with the adjacent island of “Kuttikaduwa” by a small canal way used by local fisherman as a popular fishing location.
The fauna and flora around the Negombo lagoon has always been a tourist attraction from time immemorial. Being quite the tourist hub due to its proximity to the Bandaranayake International Airport and the stretch of golden shore line, King’s Island is located in the Negombo lagoon home to a wide variety of migrant birds as well as being a paradise breeding ground for prawns, lobsters and other fish. The network of mangroves spread throughout the area is in itself an attraction for the adventurous eco tourist.
Being an extension of Sri Lanka’s largest marsh, the Muthurajawela marsh, the island is a noteworthy wetland habitat and is home to a luxuriant eco system.The island is not only rich in its ecological background but also is a milestone in Sri Lankan history. After his capture by the British, the last king of Sri Lanka, Sri Wikrama Rajasinghe was imprisoned on this island before being exiled to Southern India.
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| Sri Wikrama Rajasinghe, the the last king of Sri Lanka |
Born Kannasamy Nayaka, Sri Wikrama Rajasinghe was the last of four kings to rule the last Sinhalese monarchy of the kingdom of Kandy in Sri Lanka. Sri Wikrama Rajasinghe ruled Sri Lanka for 52 years (1780 – 1832) after succeeding his uncle Rajadhi Rajasinghe as the king of Kandy at the young age of 18. King Sri Wikrama Rajasinghe’s monarchy was filled with betrayals and constant claims to his throne by rivals. He reigned through one of the most turbulent periods in Sri Lankan history.
After being manipulated by the first Adigar (prime minister) of the king, who secretly plotted to overthrow Sri Wikrama Rajasinghe, into declaring war on the British occupying the coastal provinces of the country, the king was forced to go into hiding when the British marched into Kandy with relatively no opposition. However, after a fierce battle with the invading British forces, the Sinhala army was victorious and managed to restore the throne to Sri Wikrama Rajasinghe. A short while afterwards, the secret plots of the Prime minister were discovered upon which he was sentenced to death.
Ehelepola, the Prime minister’s nephew who took up the position of first Adigar was also suspected of inciting a rebellion against the king and having failed to capture him, Ehelepola’s family was sentenced to death instead, leading to the well known tale of one of Sri Lanka’s youngest national heroes, Madduma Bandara. After a period of harsh fighting, the Kandyan forces crumbled under the might of the British army and in the year 1815 the kingdom was ceded to the British under the Kandyan Convention. Sri Wikrama Rajasinghe was taken away to Vellore Fort in Southern India to live in exile for the remainder of his life.
To know more: http://www.thekingsisland.com
