BATTICALOA

town, Sri Lanka. It lies on an island off the eastern coast. It is linked to the mainland by causeway, bridge, and ferry and by road and railway connections. Batticaloa is the trading centre for rice and coconuts from nearby plantations and for other agricultural products. It was captured by the Portuguese in 1622, by the Dutch in 1638, and by the British in 1796. Ruined Portuguese and Dutch forts remain from the colonial period. Pop. (1990 est.) 51,000.