KING SANGILIYAN'S STATUE

The equestrian statue of King Cankili II is said to represent the last king of Jaffna. Captured by the Portuguese in 1620 during the Battle of Jaffna, he was exiled and hanged in Goa, India. Inaugurated in 1974, the statue was renovated in 1994. In 2011, the statue was removed for political reasons and a new statue was built at the same location. The new statue would not have the heroic features of the old one... Its gold color and location in Point Pedro Road make it a good landmark to reach the old royal palace.