Curated Local Experiences in Sri Lanka
by Serendipity Experiences

It’s almost a forgotten fact the role this tiny island played during Second World War. The British had occupied Sri Lanka from 1796, But after 1917 the country did not have a regular garrison. That all changed once the war began. The Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force established Naval installations and aerodrome in Trincomalee. Trinco is home to the 3rd deepest harbor and the 5th largest natural port in the world. Along with its strategic positioning, it plays a vital role in defences from back in the day to modern times. After the fall of Singapore, Trincomalee became the HQ for the British eastern fleet under Sir James Sommerville. Trinco Harbor protected 36 vessels when waves of Japanese kamikaze suicide squads attacked the peninsula during the Easter Sunday raids. Due to its natural defenses, the Japanese managed to sink only two cruisers and an aircraft carrier along with blowing up an oil tanker. This tour covers locations that played a part during the occupation of the Eastern fleet. From warehouses that stored weaponry to sites where the Japanese kamikaze blew up and many more. End this tour at the World War 2 cemetery that honors the souls who gave their lives in Ceylon. Hear the stories from your host with South Indian, Sinhalese, and Dutch burgher origin. His narration will take you back to a time of uncertainty and danger.