There are many forts and fortress in Sri Lanka with cities built by Sinhalese kings, Portuguese, Dutch and British rulers. Each of these sites are landmarks of the different historical eras of history of the island. There are only two ancient forts remain that Sigiriya rock fortress UNESCO World Heritage site and Mapagala located south of Sigiriya itself.

Anyhow 36 ancient and colonial forts remains in the island and most of them are ruined with the exception of Galle fort the UNESCO World Heritage, Matara star fort, Tangalle, Martello tower, Baitticaloa, Fort Fredrick Trinco, Poonaryn Fort, Jaffna fort more or less. In the colonial era 25 also lighthouses being built in aid of marine navigation, has its own lighthouse as well .

The Katuwana fortress situated forty kilometers north of Matara. It perched strategically at the top of a hill close to Katuwana District Secretariat.