Kayman's Gate

A historic free-standing bell tower still stands at the site, now at the intersection of Main and 4th Cross Streets.

Under the Portuguese, the fort's principal entrance at the eastern rampart was Porta Reinha ("Queen's Gate"), a large tunnel guarded by drawbridge and moat.

During that period, mugger crocodiles were found in large numbers in the Beira Lake, and would congregate in the moat to eat rubbish thrown out by the city dwellers within the fort.

[5] The Kayman's Gate bell purportedly dates back to the 16th century, where it originally hung in a Portuguese church dedicated to Saint Francis in the Royal City of Kotte.

[6] Kayman's Gate is referenced in the song Paru Palamen, written by Sunil Edirisinghe.