Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa who inspected the site instructed officials to complete the work as soon as possible to declare the Fort of Jaffna a tourist attraction location as the government intends to make the Fort as a tourist centre with several facilities for tourists.

The government also has taken action to preserve Jaffna’s archaeological value once the restoration work is over.

Jaffna Fort was built as a small garrison by the Portuguese in 1618 when the Portuguese invaded Jaffna. The Dutch captured it in 1650 from the Portuguese and expanded its location further. It was taken over by the British in 1795. The Dutch Fort was completely destroyed during the conflict as the LTTE had maintained its garrison within the Fort premises.