The island of Sri Lanka is a tiny nation, formerly known as Ceylon, which is located in the Indian Ocean. The island is home to unspoiled beaches, tropical rainforests, a host of exotic wildlife and endless natural beauty. The beaches around the island are the country’s biggest tourist attraction. A short drive south from the capital, Colombo, Will take you to the scenic seaside town of Bentota. Hotel choices are plenty up and down the coastal stretch, giving you the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beach and get plenty of sun, sea and sand.
Heading inland you will find the Madu Ganga, a river that is also considered Sri Lanka’s second largest wetland. The magnificent Madu Ganga has an average depth of about four meters. It which flows into the sea at Balapitiya; nearby is Shinagawa Beach Balapitiya, which has been named as one of the prestigious Small luxury hotels of the world.
The Madu Ganga, together with the Randombe Lake, make up what is referred to as the Madu Ganga wetland. The creek, speckled with thirty two mangrove laden islands, forms an intricately woven coastal wetland ecosystem. The ecosystem supports over three hundred plant varieties and nearly two hundred and fifty species of vertebrate animals. Two islands are inhabited by two hundred and fifteen human families that peel cinnamon and manufacture cinnamon oil. The river’s uniqueness lies in the ebb and flow of the tide. During low tide salt water from the sea enters the river and mixes with the fresh water, later in the day this process is reversed as the tide rises. The pattern provides a life sustaining environment for the many plants, crustaceans, various invertebrates and other fauna, including crocodiles. Visitors can take a two hour boat ride to experience the wonders of the Madu Ganga.
Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.
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