Toppigala,
the former hideout of the LTTE in the Batticaloa district has been
converted into a park complex. The Secretary Defence and Urban
Development Gotabhaya Rajapaksa Thursday opened Toppigala Heritage Park
Complex The thick jungle area with the Toppigala rock (Baron's Cap)
standing 1,753 feet above sea level is located about 40 km northwest of
Batticaloa. Some of the fiercest battles took place at Toppigala to
wrest control of the area from the LTTE and the security forces captured
the area in 2007.
The
Toppigala Park Complex comprises an exhibition center, hiking trails,
obstacle course to the rock, souvenir shop, cafeteria and other common
amenities for the visitors.
Sri
Lanka Army's 232 Brigade in the Eastern Province developed the project
at a cost of only Rs. 25 million. Dilmah, Sri Lanka's international tea
company had provided support for the project.
The
Exhibition Centre and other facilities were established in order to
facilitate local and foreign tourists a chance to visit Toppigala region
and enjoy its natural environment and also appreciate the sacrifices
made by the security forces to liberate the region from the clutches
terrorism, the Defence Ministry said.
The
attraction is expected to open up new avenues for the emerging
hospitality sector in the East and uplift the lives of the resettled
communities.
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