OLDEST LIGHT STATION: GALLE LIGHTHOUSE.

The Galle Lighthouse (also known as Pointe de Galle Light) is an onshore lighthouse in Galle, Sri Lanka and is operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. This is Sri Lanka's oldest light station. The current 26.5 m-high (87 ft) concrete lighthouse was erected by the British about 100 m (330 ft) from the original site in 1939. The original light was furnished with a glass prism lens floating in a bath of mercury (to reduce friction) and was powered by a weight driven machine.[citation needed] The light station is within the walls of the ancient Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and well known tourist attraction. The lighthouse is strategically located at the southern end of the promontory, built approximately 6 m (20 ft) above the road level on the ramparts, at what is known as the Point Utrecht Bastion, giving it full view of any ships entering Galle Harbour.