Jaffna Peninsula

These waters lie off the Jaffna Peninsula at the northern end of Sri Lanka. The peninsula was the heart of the kingdom ruled by the Aryacakravarti dynasty, whose kings received tribute from Vannimai chiefs farther inland. Their rule ended in 1619 with the Portuguese conquest and the death of the last king, Cankili II. The peninsula's older regions included Valikamam, Vadamarachchi and Thenmarachchi, names later recorded in Dutch forms.