Being adjacent to the Trincomalee Harbour, Kinniya was devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

A 400-year-old Grand masjid in Kinniya was demolished and a new one built in its place in 2002 by the Saudi Arabian government.

There are small minorities of other ethnic groups such as Sri Lankan Tamils and Sinhalese.

The fisheries sector plays a key role in social and economic life of Kinniya.

Kinniya has well educated structures from all streams such as, Medicine, Law, Engineering, Government Jobs and Academic staffs.