Built by the Portuguese to defend Colombo during their occupation, the ruins of the Negombo Dutch Fort are situated approximately 30 kilometres north of Colombo, near the mouth of the Negombo lagoon.
The original structure erected by the Portuguese was weak and was soon captured by Dutch forces in 1640’s. The original rampart destroyed by the Dutch during attack subsequently restored it in 1672, although in a pentagonal pattern that differed from the previous square pattern. It is said to have been enclosed by a dry moat and with a gate accessible through a drawbridge. In 1796 its control passed to the British, who demolished the fort in order to build a prison in its stead, using the stones of the fort for its construction.
The Eastern bastion with mounds at its northern and southern ends still remain today. Its recessed gateway is inscribed with the date 1678. The site is still used as a prison to this day.
