Negombo Lagoon An Estuary With A Story To Tell

The Negombo Lagoon located towards the south of the island of Sri Lanka is a popular

estuary that is constantly fed by the surrounding rivers and canals. Its also linked through a very narrow channel to the town of Negombo and the channel in turn runs into the sea.

Surrounding the lagoon is a very densely covered region of plantations and rice fields that provide a picturesque view overlooking the lagoon. The lagoon is the ultimate attraction for bird lovers since the estuary attracts a wide range of water birds due to its over grown mangroves in its marshy backdrop.

The lagoon sprawls across 3000 hectares of land, which is actually just one part of a much larger marshland situated on the coastal wetland. Aside from the opening of the lagoon to the sea, the actual depth of the lagoon is less than even a metre. The lagoon is used for fishing as well, and about six methods are used to catch prawns inside the lagoon. Trammel nets are about the most common, aside from the cast nets which are used towards the middle section of the lagoon. At the entrance, stake nets are what are commonly used.

The lagoon derives its name from the town of which has become the main means of providing livelihood for the communities that live in and around the lagoon. The town is about 6km away from the airport, and even has a port of its own. The communities in Negombo have evolved from a long line of fishermen who have eked out a living owing to the nearby lagoon.

Today, Negombo is more popularly known for its tourism than its fishing industry. The Negombo canal that runs along the town is used as a transportation method as well as a form of entertainment for tourists. Negombo is an old town, which still has its old charm, and a bit of its colonialism to boot.

The Dutch Fort built in the 16th century is still standing and that is not all, age old buildings and churches constructed by the Portuguese and the Dutch are also among the remains in this quaint little town. The architectural of these old buildings is something worth seeing and is a reflection of the bygone era of colonialism.

One of the main tourist attractions in Negombo is the beach and many Negombo hotels offer beach frontage accommodation. A stay at a hotel in Negombo Sri Lanka such as Jetwing Beach would allow tourists to explore the activities in the area and indulge in a bit of the night life that the area has to offer.

by: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

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