Neduntheevu or Nedunthivu (Tamil: நெடுந்தீவு, romanized: Neṭuntīvu; Sinhala: ඩෙල්ෆ්ට්, romanized: Ḍelfṭ) (also known by its Dutch name Delft) is an island in the Palk Strait, northern Sri Lanka. This island is named Delft in the Admiralty Chart, unlike the other islands, Tamil. The island's area is 50 km2, and it is roughly oval-shaped. Its length is 8 km, and its maximum width about 6 km.

Horses of Delft Island

Neduntheevu is a flat island surrounded by shallow waters and beaches of coral chunks and sand. It is home to a small population of Tamil people, mostly living in quiet compounds close to the northern coast. The vegetation is of a semi-arid tropical type, with palmyra palms, dry shrubs, and grasses grow on the pale grey porous coralline soil. Papayas and bananas grow close to the local people's homes. On the island's western coast, there are remains of a 1000-year-old temple built by the Chola Dynasty and the ruins of a Dutch colonial fort. The water is slightly salty, and it is taken from shallow wells using buckets made from palmyra palm leaves.

Other Ancient Ruins and Monuments - Delft Island.

The site with ancient Buddhist ruins in Delft is identified as, at present is the only place on the Island that had been subjected to the earliest human activity.

It is estimated that their origin dates back to the 2nd Century B.C. In archaeological excavations conducted as recently as 2011-2012, local and foreign ancient coins, clay pots, and glass objects had been found. Catholic churches and other places of worship are distinctly visible. Definitive evidence of Stupassaid to have been built in the area recognised as the Vediyarasan Fort remains obscure up to date.

The base of the main Stupa is 34 feet in diameter built of coral, and from the recent restorations performed, it is about 3 feet in height and is constructed in the highest elevation of the area. To the West of the main Stupa are the bases of two Dagobas of 10 feet in diameter and have only their bases remaining intact.

(THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE OF THE JAFFNA PENINSULA - Dr Malini Dias M. A. (Kelaniya) PhD. (London) Sunil Bandara Koralage B.A.(Hons), MSc. (Kelaniya) M. V. G. Kalpa Asanga B.A., Post Graduate Dip. Archaeology (Kelaniya) - Department of Archaeology 2016 P:217)

Unique Sri Lanka

Delft Island in Jaffna

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