Trincomalee has always aroused interest as one of the largest natural harbours in Sri Lanka. The Portuguese called the bay ‘Bahia dos Arcos’ in their records and described it as a strategic location for Indian Ocean trade routes which could control the entire Gulf of Bengal. Admiral Lord Nelson shared the view of the Portuguese, but the great trading post never came to life. It is possible that it may yet become one, in a shrinking world and an expanding Asia.