{{One source|date=August 2024}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Pasikudah | native_name = பாசிக்குடா <br /> පාසිකුඩා |image_skyline =Pasikudah beach.JPG | imagesize = 250px | settlement_type = | pushpin_map = Sri Lanka | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Sri Lanka | subdivision_type2 = Province | subdivision_name2 = Eastern Province | subdivision_type3 = District | subdivision_name3 = Batticaloa | subdivision_type4 = Divisional Secreatariat | subdivision_name4 = Manmunai West | coordinates = {{coord|7|55|42|N|81|33|42|E|region:LK|display=inline}} }} '''Pasikudah''' or '''Pasikuda''' ({{langx|ta|பாசிக்குடா}}; {{langx|si|පාසිකුඩා}}; (Pronounced ''Paasikkudah'' - historic Tamil translation "Green-Algae-Bay") is a coastal resort town located 35 kilometers northwest of Batticaloa, Batticaloa District, Sri Lanka. Historically a small Tamil hamlet alongside nearby Kalkudah, it used to be a popular tourist destination. However, it suffered huge devastation following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the Sri Lankan civil war.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&artid=14127|publisher=TamilNet|title=No sunny times for east coast idyll|accessdate=5 February 2017|date=1 February 2005}}</ref> Foreign travel to Pasikudah has recently increased due to growth in investment and development. It is home to the Pasikudah Mariamman temple. Pasikudah is easily accessible from the cities of Trincomalee and Batticaloa. The nearest airport is Batticaloa Airport, which has scheduled flights operating from Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport.
== Landscape and development== Since the end of the civil war in 2009 and the completion of tsunami rehabilitation projects, Pasikudah has become a popular tourist destination. Foreign and local investors have shown interest in developing tourism along the beach. The Sri Lankan government's strict environmental policies have prevented certain plans for mass development, although economic policies have promoted development to a certain extent. Pasikudah is known to have one of the longest stretches of shallow reef coastline in the world. People walk kilometers into the sea because the water is only a few inches deep and the current is relatively weak compared to the rest of Sri Lanka's coasts.
== Gallery == <gallery> File:Pasikudah beach, Sri Lanka.jpg|Pasikudah beach File:Sunset, Pasikudah beach, Sri Lanka.jpg|Sunset at Pasikudah beach File:Maalu Maalu Beach Resort, Pasikuda, Sri Lanka.jpg|Maalu Maalu Beach Resort, Pasikuda, Sri Lanka File:Uga Bay Hotel Entrance at Night.jpg|alt=Uga Bay is a Pasikuda Hotel situated in Kalkudah Bay. Image portrays the entrance to hotel at night with clear skies, where star can be seen within the enclave.|Uga Bay Hotel Kalkudah, Pasikuda </gallery>
== See also == *Kalkudah *Arugam Bay – Ampara District *Nilaveli – Trincomalee District
== References == {{reflist}}
Category:Seaside resorts in Sri Lanka Category:Towns in Batticaloa District Category:Koralaipattu Central DS Division
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