Batticaloa (Tamil: , Sinhala: ) is a major city in Sri Lanka. It is in the Eastern Province, Sri Lanka, and the former capital of the same province. It's also the administrative capital of the Batticaloa District. The city is the seat of the Eastern University of Sri Lanka and it's a major commercial city. It is on the east coast, 69 miles (111 km) south by south east of Trincomalee, and is situated on an island. Batticaloa is one of the most beautiful places in Sri Lanka and is the most popular spot for tourists. Pasikudah and Arugam Bay are the two most popular places for tourists in Eastern province with serene beautiful beaches and flat year-round warm water shallow-lagoons. It also boasts of some of the cheapest hotels and most exotic economical food.