SANGAMA KANDA POINT TO ELEPHANT POINT

General information

Route
 
From a position E of Sangama Kanda Point (7deg 01.57min N 81deg 52.68min E). The route leads about 104 miles N and NNW to a position off Trincomalee Bay.

Topography
 
The coast between Sangama Kanda Point and Elephant Point is cultivated with coconut palms in many places; the hinterland is low and flat, with hills about 10 miles inland. 

Depth
 
Depths off the coast are fairly regular except for a few rocky patches within 1 mile of the shore. Occasional patches of shoal ground, with depths less than 10 m, extend 2 miles offshore. Generally, the 100 m depth contour line lies between 4 and 10 miles offshore.

Hazards
 
Wrecks and obstructions. 
Numerous dangerous wrecks and obstructions. Few with positions approximate, lie within the 30 m contour; their positions are best seen on the chart.

Foul ground. 
Caused by dumped mines, lies between positions 2.75 miles ENE of Challitivu 1.25 miles ENE of Panditivo Point.

Fishing
Many small fishing craft may be encountered along this coast. 

Natural conditions 

Overfalls 
Outside the 100 m depth contour depths increase suddenly, and heavy overfalls can occur even in good weather.

Currents 
The Currents off the E coast of Sri Lanka are variable. During the period January to April, they are likely to set onshore between the latitude of 6deg 30.0min N and 8deg 0.0min N. In November and December, under normal weather conditions. S-going sets of 5 kn have been experienced E of the 200m depth contour. Between Little Basses Reef and Trincomalee, 130 miles NNW, the period March to August. Although the coast, frequent reversals, N-going and S-going, occur without any apparent reason. Between 3 and 10 miles off the coast, N-going and S-going currents often exist side, with more than one current setting in each direction.

Directions
 
Land marks

Westminster Abbey (7deg 02.12min N 8deg 32.81min E)
Kumburahela (7deg 02.90min N 81deg 40.04min E)
Wadinagala Peak (precipitous summit forming a sharp peak) (7deg 05.87min N 81deg 31.10min E), conspicuous from all directions.
Friar's Hood (7deg26.50min N   81deg30.37min E). aptly named and unmistakable amongst surrounding hills: usually the first landmark made from N.
Gunner's Quoin (large wedge-shaped mountain (7deg 51.65min N 81deg 08.29min E). a good mark 

Major lights:
Oluvil Light (white round tower, 20 m in height)(7deg 17.42min N 81deg 52.04min E).

Passage

From a position E sangaman Kanda Point (7deg 01.57min N 81deg 52.68min E). the route leads N,
passing:
E of Oluvil Light (7deg 17.42min N 81deg 52.04min E)
The track leads NNW, passing;
Clear of the dangerous wreck of HMS Hermes (7deg 50.12min N 81deg 49.79min E). position approximate.
The track then leads to a position off Batticaloa Roads
From a position off Batticaloa Roads (7deg 46.02min N 81deg 41.08min E), the route continues NNW, passing: ENE of Punnaikkula Point (7deg 49.43min N 81deg 37.07min E). thence: 
ENE of Vendloos Point (7deg 55.21min N 81deg 34.89min E).  
thence:
ENE of Elephant Point (Clarke Point) (low fringed by rocks and foul ground) (7deg 59.50min N 81deg 33.00min E). Elephant Rock (light- coloured, above water) stands close N of the point and Wreck lie 1 mile farther NE and 3 miles farther N. Thence:
ENE of Challitivu (islet, wooded) (8deg 06.73min N 81deg 27.80min E). 
The track then leads to a position ENE of Panditivo Point (sharp and rocky) (8deg 10.66min N 81deg 25.84min E). which has a small islet standing 5 cables NE.


Useful marks:

Sangama Kanda Point Light (7deg 01.57min N 81deg 52.68min E).
Thompson Hill (7deg 07.23min N 81deg 44.49min E). 
Sharp Hill (7deg 09.08min N 81deg 44.91min E).
Bennington Hill (wooded, wedge-shaped) (7deg 13.30min N 81deg 41.33min E). 
White tower, conspicuous, at Kalmunai (7deg 24.83min N 81deg 49.04min E)
Tower (framework, red Obstruction light) (7deg 43.30min N 81deg 41.81min E). Conspicuous within Batticaloa.
Batticaloa Light (white tower, 28 m in height)(7deg 45.30min N 81deg 41.13min E), standing on the W side of the entrance to Batticaloa Lake
Tower Hill (hog-backed) (7deg 43.15min N 81deg 23.79min E). with a prominent rock, like a tower, on its summit. 
Thoppigala (sugar-loaf hill) (7deg 50.10min N 81deg 23.59min E): prominent when clear of other hills, especially from about due E, but from NE its top appears broader and merges with hills farther S. 
Kirimechiodai Malai (8deg 00.35min N 81deg 25.74min E): only seen between bearings 247deg and 292deg when it appears as a low, wedge-shaped hill with a small peak, rising steeply from S and sloping N. 
Kunchan Kallu (8deg 00.52min N 81deg 22.33min E): from SE it appears wedge-shaped and moderately steep to the S: from NE it has no well-defined summit. 
Kawda Gala (from SE slopes to a single summit) (8deg 1.72min N 81deg 18.31min E).





