Jaffna

Port and capital of Jaffna district, Northern Province, Sri Lanka; population (2001) 145,600. It was the focal point of Hindu Tamil nationalism and the scene of recurring riots during the 1980s. During the civil war from 1983 the port lost much of its trade as much of the city was ruined in the conflict, though fishing remains important to the economy.

Thirty thousand Tamils were killed in the 12-year war between the government and Tamil Tigers fighting for the establishment of an independent homeland, Eelam, on the northern tip of Sri Lanka. Peace negotiations broke down in April 1995. Tamils were evacuated from Jaffna in November 1995, ahead of Sri Lankan troops closing in on the capital. It fell to government forces in December 1995.