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Round Island Lighthouse

Fl (3) WR 15s🇱🇰Sri Lanka, LKOperational

Location & Light Range

About Round Island Lighthouse

This white, round tower stands 69 meters tall on an offshore island within Trincomalee Bay. Its focal plane reaches 31 meters above sea level, providing a geographic range of 10 nautical miles. The light emits three flashes, alternating white and red, every 15 seconds. The lighthouse is accessible only by boat and is not open to the public. It is operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

Why it matters: Established in 1863, one of the lighthouse's white sectors indicates the correct approach to the harbor.

Background
The Round Island Lighthouse (also known as the Trincomalee Light or Kevuliya Light) is an offshore lighthouse on Round Island in Trincomalee Bay, Sri Lanka and is operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. The lighthouse was erected in 1863, originally it was a red light however in 1864 it was changed to white. The 21-metre-high (69 ft) lighthouse is located atop a small island in the bay; one of the white sectors marks the proper line of entrance to the harbor. It is accessible only by boat however both the island and lighthouse are closed to the public.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (3) WR 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
WR
Flash Count
3 flashes
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl.(3)W.R. period 15s
Focal Height
31m
Geographic Range
10NM

Location

City
Sri Lanka
Country
🇱🇰LK
Latitude
8.5130°
Longitude
81.2259°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
69m
Tower Shape
round
Tower Color
white

Structure: White round tower; 69. AIS (MMSI No 994173015)

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
F0852
NGA No.
27244
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q18391233 →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Round Island Lighthouse at night?+
Round Island displays the characteristic Fl (3) WR 15s — 3 wr flashes every 15 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. The wr color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Round Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Round Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 1 nearby port. The closest is Trincomalee at 2.9 NM to the N. Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Round Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Round Island 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 Round Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Round Island 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.