Located 13km offshore from Yala National Park, the Great Basses Reef Lighthouse is a colonial-era navigation hub that has truly stood the test of time. Here’s why this overlooked highlight should be on every visitor’s travel itinerary.
Backstory
Built as early as 1873, the Great Basses Lighthouse was constructed during the British colonial era when the island we now call Sri Lanka was renowned the world over as Ceylon. Designed by James Douglass and his brother William, the granite tower took almost two years to complete and was strong enough to withstand the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami.
What Lies Beneath
Although the lighthouse rarely features on lists of Kataragama places to visit, the Great Basses Reef, which lies at its base of the structure, has been a diver’s paradise for decades. Tourists based at Mandara Rosen Kataragama and other resorts will find it a worthy area to explore, if only due to the number of marine species occupying the reef’s watery depths.
Unusual Lenses
In addition to its rich history and age, the Great Basses Lighthouse is also one of only a handful of lighthouses that were built to house the massive Hyperradiant Fresnel lenses that were all the rage towards the tail end of the 19th century.
Shipwrecks and Sunken Treasure
Sir Arthur C Clarke famously uncovered the remains of a 24-gun 18th-century shipwreck during an underwater expedition into the Great Basses Reef, which he later documented in his novel ‘The Treasure of the Reef.’
