Consider a haircut and head massage (Rs 400) at this utterly bizarre salon, a monument to kitsch. Every centimetre is covered in decorative painting, fake flowers, sequins, filigree, stained glass or tinsel garlands, and at the back of the salon, up towards the faux-sky ceiling, is an interfaith shrine, from where Durga, Mary and the Buddha keep an eye on things.
Imperial Saloon
Batticaloa
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
14.97 MILES
Kalkudah Beach is the kind of fantasy that makes you want to chuck away your return air ticket and lounge forever under the palms. Good roads run inland…
0.49 MILES
This once-mighty fort is now home to administrative offices, and though large sections of the structure are crumbling, it's still an evocative sight. It…
3.58 MILES
This fine new museum plunges deep into the history of Muslims and Arab traders locally. Spread over three floors, it tells a compelling story about…
Kallady & Navalady Peninsula Beach
1.44 MILES
This long beach follows the peninsula all the way north to the end. The swimming is usually good. With a bike, you can explore the beach, which has access…
0.32 MILES
This lovely modern park along Old Batti's waterfront is popular with strolling couples and includes features such as the Batticaloa Gate, which was a 19th…
26.54 MILES
Rising above the forest north of Ampara, this 150m-high hill offers panoramic views from its rocky summit (including, occasionally, of wild elephants at…
29.89 MILES
This pagoda, 4km west of town, is a graceful stupa with a twist or two, including a vaguely Roman-looking colonnade ringing its lower level. Niches…
2.68 MILES
At the end of a sandbar, surrounded by lagoons and mangroves, this 28m-tall lighthouse dates from 1913. The sheltered coastline around here is a popular…
Nearby Batticaloa attractions
0.26 MILES
Of the dozens of churches, the most eye-catching is the huge cerulean blue, eight-sided, unfinished Our Lady of Sorrows.
0.3 MILES
The tiny Auliya Mosque has a curious green minaret. It's a great place to observe the Dutch Fort over the water.
0.31 MILES
The vaguely Mexican-looking, earth-toned St Anthony’s is one of Puliyanthivu's most striking churches.
0.32 MILES
This lovely modern park along Old Batti's waterfront is popular with strolling couples and includes features such as the Batticaloa Gate, which was a 19th…
0.42 MILES
The grand, turquoise-coloured St Mary’s Cathedral stands out among the many churches in Batti. St Mary’s was rebuilt in 1994 following its partial…
0.44 MILES
An old colonial survivor that's so drenched in vines and creepers that the brickwork is starting to break away.
0.46 MILES
Beside Kallady Bridge is the fairly modern and relatively unattractive St Sebastian’s Church, built somewhat in the shape of a whale.