Who We Are

The Jaffna Community Tourism Network

The Friends of Jaffna network connects travellers to local artisans, cultural custodians, guides, and families across Jaffna Peninsula and its islands — creating immersive, meaningful visits that benefit the people who live here.

Jaffna, at the northern tip of Sri Lanka, is a city with deep roots — Dravidian architecture, palmyra forests, colonial Dutch and Portuguese layers, sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites, and a lagoon archipelago of breathtaking quiet. Friends of Jaffna helps you discover it through the people who know it best.

Community tourism here means your visit directly supports locally-owned guesthouses, family workshops, and independent guides — keeping culture alive and the economy local.

40+Friends of Jaffna Members
12Islands to Explore
2000+Years of History
6Crafts Traditions
"One peninsula, a thousand stories — and a community proud to share every one."
Discover Jaffna

Things To Do

From ancient temples to tranquil lagoon islands, Jaffna offers experiences that are utterly unlike anywhere else in Sri Lanka.

Cultural Heritage

Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, Jaffna Fort, Dutch colonial churches, and ancient Dravidian architecture.

Explore

Handicrafts

Palmyra weaving, Jaffna pottery, gold jewellery, traditional oil pressing, and handloom textiles.

Explore

Lagoon & Islands

Kayts, Nainativu, Delft Island wild ponies, flamingo lagoons, and traditional fishing communities.

Explore

Food & Markets

Jaffna kool, crab curry, Manipay mangoes, fresh palmyra toddy, and bustling Chunnakam market.

Explore

City Guides

Neighbourhood walks through Jaffna town, cycling the peninsula, and Nainativu pilgrimage boats.

Explore

Natural Attractions

Palmyra forests, flamingos at the lagoon, coastal Point Pedro, and Nainativu's Nagapooshani Temple.

Explore
Our Network

Friends of Jaffna Members

Our members are the heart of Friends of Jaffna — local experts, makers, and hosts who bring Jaffna's culture to life.

MV
Meenakshi Vaithilingam
Palmyra Weaver
Third-generation palmyra craftsperson making baskets, mats, and traditional fans. Offers weaving workshops in her family home in Nallur.
Palmyra Craft
SK
Sellathurai Krishnan
Pottery Master
Creates traditional terracotta water pots and ritual vessels using ancient Jaffna techniques. Studio open for visits in Chunnakam.
Pottery
RP
Rajeswari Pathmanathan
Handloom Weaver
Weaves traditional saris and fabric in bold South Indian patterns. Runs a small cooperative employing 12 women from the local community.
Textiles
GN
Ganesan Nadesan
Goldsmith
Master goldsmith specialising in traditional Jaffna bridal jewellery. Offers guided tours of his workshop near Nallur Temple.
Jewellery
LS
Luxmi Sivakumar
Coconut Shell Artist
Creates intricate carvings and decorative items from coconut shell — a craft she revived from her grandmother's generation.
Eco-craft
TR
Thavarajah Rajan
Oil Press Master
Operates a traditional sesame oil press, one of the last of its kind in Jaffna. Visitors can observe and taste the process.
Traditional Trade
AK
Arulnathan Kanagasundaram
Cultural Heritage Guide
Expert on Jaffna's Hindu temples, colonial forts, and Tamil architectural history. Speaks English, Tamil, and Sinhala fluently.
Heritage Tours
PR
Priya Ragunathan
Food & Market Guide
Culinary-focused guide who leads morning market walks, cooking classes, and curated Jaffna food crawls.
Culinary
JS
Jeyachandran Somasundaram
Island & Lagoon Guide
Runs guided boat tours to Kayts, Delft, and Nainativu. Knowledgeable about coastal ecology and island communities.
Island Tours
NL
Nallur Heritage Lodge
Family Guesthouse
A restored colonial-era family home with 6 rooms, home-cooked Jaffna breakfasts, and a garden full of palmyra and mango trees.
Guesthouse
LH
Lagoon House Kayts
Island Retreat
A quiet island retreat on Kayts Island accessible by ferry, with lagoon views, fresh catch meals, and birdwatching at dawn.
Island Stay
JV
Jaffna Veedu
Boutique Homestay
A lovingly kept family home in Jaffna town, offering authentic home-cooked meals and a window into everyday Jaffna life.
Homestay
YN
Yalppanam North Tours
Tour Operator
Full-service local operator running cultural, culinary, island, and pilgrimage tours across Jaffna Peninsula with transport and guide included.
Full Service
JT
Jaffna Trail
Eco & Heritage Tours
Specialises in slow travel — cycling routes, nature walks, and community village experiences off the tourist trail.
Eco Tourism
PI
Palk Strait Adventures
Maritime Tours
Boat charters and sea kayaking across the Jaffna Lagoon and to the outer islands including flamingo-spotting excursions.
Marine
Curated Experiences

Friends of Jaffna Recommended Routes

Our signature routes take you deep into Jaffna's culture, nature, and community — beyond the guidebook highlights.

Temples & Forts Trail

2 Days · Heritage · Cultural

A deep dive into Jaffna's spiritual and colonial heritage — sacred Hindu temples, the Dutch fort, and neighbourhood shrines.

Nallur Kandaswamy Temple at dawn
Jaffna Fort & Dutch colonial quarter
Keerimalai sacred springs
Naguleswaram Temple, Kankesanthurai

Island Lagoon Journey

3 Days · Nature · Community

Hop between Jaffna's island communities — wild horses on Delft, the Nainativu pilgrimage, flamingos, and lagoon sunsets.

Kayts Island ferry & village walk
Nainativu Nagapooshani Temple boat
Delft Island wild ponies & baobabs
Flamingo spotting at Chundikulam

Jaffna Culinary Journey

1–2 Days · Food · Culture

Taste the distinct flavours of North Sri Lanka — markets, home kitchens, toddy tappers, and a legendary crab curry lunch.

Morning walk at Chunnakam market
Jaffna kool cooking class
Toddy tapper & palmyra jaggery visit
Crab curry lunch at a fishing village

Artisans & Craft Trail

1–2 Days · Crafts · Workshops

Meet the craftspeople keeping Jaffna's living craft traditions alive — from palmyra weavers to goldsmith workshops.

Palmyra weaving workshop, Nallur
Chunnakam pottery studio visit
Handloom co-operative, Mallakam
Jaffna goldsmith quarter walk
Traveller Stories

What Visitors Say

Jaffna surprises every traveller who makes it this far north.

"Jaffna was the most unexpected highlight of my Sri Lanka trip. Friends of Jaffna connected me with a local guide who took me to temple rituals, a fishing village lunch, and a palmyra weaver — all in one day."

SB
Sophie B.
France

"The boat trip to Delft Island was extraordinary — wild horses, baobab trees, and complete tranquility. Friends of Jaffna made it easy to book everything through locals who actually live there."

MN
Marcus N.
Germany

"The food alone is worth the journey north. A home-cooked Jaffna kool by the lagoon at sunset, organised through a Friends of Jaffna member — I still think about it. Nothing in Colombo compares."

RP
Rangi P.
New Zealand
Plan Your Visit

Start Planning Your Trip to Jaffna

Everything you need to plan a smooth, memorable journey to northern Sri Lanka.

Getting There

Train from Colombo Fort (6–7 hrs), domestic flight to Palaly airport, or bus via A9 highway. Ferry from Kayts to islands.

Best Time to Visit

February to September for dry season. The Nallur Festival (July–August) is spectacular — 25 days of temple celebrations.

Travel Essentials

Sri Lankan Rupees accepted everywhere. Modest dress required at temples. Photography rules apply at religious sites.

Getting Around

Bicycle rental is the perfect way to explore the flat peninsula. Tuk-tuks available. Boat services run to all islands.

Responsible Travel

Jaffna is still healing. Respect local customs, support Friends of Jaffna members, and ask before photographing people or ceremonies.

Contact Us

Email us at hello@jaffna.digital or find us on Instagram and Facebook to connect before your trip.

Get In Touch

Plan Your Visit With Us

Tell us a bit about your trip and we'll connect you with the right Friends of Jaffna members and routes.

Send Us a Message

We typically respond within 1–2 business days.