The Dutch replaced the Portuguese as the colonial power in Negombo in 1640 and as with all invaders, tried to wipe out any vestiges of the previous powers’ influence. Thus the Dutch demolished the fort built by the Portuguese and in 1644 erected a standard Dutch fortress with bastions and two entrances and a store for cinnamon. This fort was an important component of the cordon of forts built by the Dutch along the maritime regions under their command during the period. The British succeeded them in 1796 and remodelled the fort according to their requirements. In the late 19th century they demolished most of the Dutch buildings within and erected a courthouse, a prison and an Anglican church according to their needs.
At present although much of the brick masonry and the clock tower constructed by the British are still to be seen and the fort is still in use, it has lost some of its past glory. The rampart on the eastern side is still intact although overgrown with vegetation, while outlines of bastions can be seen on the mounds at north and south ends of the crumbling ramparts.
Most of the area within the fort is now occupied by the Negombo prison due to which considerable alterations have been made to the interior. As for the original structures within the fort, observations suggest that there may be two Dutch buildings that are currently being used by the prison beside the entrance gateway and the ramparts that date from the Dutch period. The clock tower, the church and the court buildings remain from the British period. Despite its slightly rundown state, it is an indelible part of the country’s cultural heritage and is still of interest to visitors to Negombo.
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