In 1613 a Portuguese missionary, Father Manoel Barradas, describes how Near Colombo, the Fathers embarked on a canal by which they entered into the River Kalane and going down the river they proceeded into another canal as narrow as shady, so that the oars, although they were very short, could scarcely fulfill their office. By this, they went as far as Negombo, which is six Chingala leagues. In the 17th century, the Portuguese constructed a canal from Hendala to Pamunugama. The Dutch established the center of their colony at Colombo. They then attempted to grow paddy rice in the surrounding marshes in Muthurajawela, Around the 18th century, the Dutch commenced the construction of a series of structures, dams, and canals using and enhancing the original system of waterways in an attempt to drain the salt water from the rice fields and to transport cinnamon in barges through to the seaport at Negombo. This system, known as the 'Dutch Canal',

Negombo Lagoon is a large estuarine lagoon in Negombo, southwest Sri Lanka. The lagoon is fed by a number of small rivers and a canal. It is linked to the sea by a narrow channel to the north, near Negombo city. It is surrounded by a densely populated region containing rice paddies, coconut plantations, and grassland.

Negombo fishing village and its market is the second in the country in size. The unsophisticated village style of getting the fresh catch of the ocean for sale is an interesting thing to behold from a distance. Once the vessels are anchored, the workers shall take their hunt onto the beach for carrying out the rest of the job. They clean, scale, gut, salt, and dry them in the sunlight. While the large quantities are loaded for export and distribution across the country, you can find small retailers packing small boxes of fish onto their scooters or cycle. There would be seen in the shades men mending damaged fishing nets and cleaning their boats. The market is a must-visit thing for its eventful representation of the fish trade. It is noisy, vibrant, and smells like fish. You would certainly like being in there where the collection of the catch shall be dumped here and there for auction.

Negombo, Situated six kilometers, a mere stone's throw away from the International airport of Sri Lanka, is a characteristic predominantly Christian fishing town with narrow streets and small boutiques, and many a historic church to visit and see, with its routes running back to the arrival of the Portuguese. Negombo is an ideal place to enjoy the traditional fishing methods of Sri Lanka, the outrigger canoe, the swifter catamaran, and the lagoon famous for its pomfret, lagoon crab & lobster during the season. A resort town dotted with many hotels and restaurants and the famous lagoon, where one could take a ride in an outrigger sailing canoe and experience the authentic fisherman’s life.

return to Colombo port on the highway.