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Oluvil Lighthouse

Fl W 10s🇱🇰Sri Lanka, LKOperational

Location & Light Range

About Oluvil Lighthouse

A white cylindrical concrete tower, 25 meters above sea level, marks the coast at Oluvil. This lighthouse was constructed in 1999 as part of the development of Oluvil Harbour. It features a lantern and gallery attached to a single-story equipment building. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority operates and maintains the structure. The light emits a white flash every 18 seconds.

Why it matters: This structure was the first lighthouse built in Sri Lanka after the nation's independence.

Background
Oluvil Lighthouse (Sinhala: ඔලුවිල් ප්‍රදීපාගාරය) is a lighthouse situated on the southern east coast of Sri Lanka at Oluvil, which is located approximately 12 km (7.5 mi) south of Kalmunai. The lighthouse is operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. It is the first lighthouse erected after the Sri Lankan independence, until the Hambantota Port and the Colombo Port expansion occurred in 2012–13. The 24 metres (79 ft) high white cylindrical concrete lighthouse tower was built in 1999 as a part of the development of Oluvil Harbour and it was constructed with lantern and gallery, attached to a one-story small equipment building. The lighthouse was declared open on 19 June 1999 by then Sri Lanka's Minister for Port Development, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader M. H. M. Ashraff.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl W 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
10s
Focal Height
25m

Construction & History

Year Built
1999

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
F0845
ARLHS No.
SLI-026
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q19252675 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Location

City
Sri Lanka
Country
🇱🇰LK
Latitude
7.2904°
Longitude
81.8672°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Oluvil Lighthouse at night?+
Oluvil displays the characteristic Fl W 10s — 1 white flash every 10 seconds. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area.
Which ports and harbors does Oluvil Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Oluvil Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 2 nearby ports. The closest is Oluvil at 1 NM to the S. Other ports served include Kondavattavan (13.9 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Oluvil Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Oluvil Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
How can I track vessels near Oluvil Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Oluvil Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.