Sri Lanka, Sept. 28 -- For centuries, the waters around Sri Lanka were the silent engine of global commerce. Arab, Chinese, Indian, and later European traders rode the monsoon winds to our shores, turning ancient ports like Galle, Trincomalee, and Jaffna into bustling nodes of exchange. That historic maritime path never lost its strategic value it merely changed its cargo.

Major Ancient Ports in Sri Lanka; Traded Goods

Exports: Cinnamon, spices, pearls, precious gemstones, and ivory. Imports: Roman coins, Persian and Chinese ceramics, glassware, and luxury textiles. Mantai (Mahatittha): Located on the northwestern coast near Mannar, it was the island's premier trading emporium from the 5th century BCE to the 13th century CE, connecting...