With the outset of colonial rule in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka was occupied by several major colonial empires that from time to time became the dominant power in the Indian Ocean.
The colonists built several western-style forts, mostly in and around the coast of the island.
The British occupied these Dutch forts during the Napoleonic wars.
Most of the colonial forts were garrisoned up until the early 20th century.
Some were reoccupied by military units with the escalation of the Sri Lankan Civil War; Jaffna fort, for example, came under siege several times.