Negombo City
Negombo, a coastal city in Sri Lanka, offers a vibrant blend of cultural heritage and seaside charm. Known for pristine beaches, the Dutch Canal, and bustling fish markets, it beckons with exciting excursions and serene temples. Experience the allure of Negombo's rich tapestry in every visit.
Negombo Lagoon
Negombo Lagoon, located near the bustling city of Negombo on Sri Lanka’s west coast, is a tranquil and scenic spot known for its rich biodiversity and connection to local culture. The lagoon covers an area of approximately 35 square kilometers and is fed by several rivers, with a direct link to the Indian Ocean. Surrounded by mangrove swamps and coconut plantations, it provides a peaceful escape from the nearby urban areas and offers a unique natural setting for exploration.
Tourists visiting Negombo Lagoon can experience a variety of activities that highlight the beauty and cultural significance of the area. One of the main attractions is a boat tour through the lagoon’s calm waters, allowing visitors to explore its rich ecosystems, including mangroves, water lilies, and various species of fish, crustaceans, and birds. These boat tours often provide a close look at the local fishing communities, where traditional methods of fishing, including using small wooden boats and nets, are still practiced today.
Birdwatching is another popular activity, as the lagoon is home to a variety of migratory and resident bird species, including herons, egrets, and kingfishers. Nature lovers will enjoy the opportunity to observe these birds in their natural habitat while cruising through the serene waters.
For those interested in Sri Lankan culture, the Negombo fish market is nearby, offering insight into the bustling life of the fishing community. Tourists can witness fishermen bringing in their daily catch, which is then sold fresh at the market.
Negombo Lagoon also offers opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and photography, making it an ideal destination for those seeking both relaxation and adventure in a naturally beautiful setting. The lagoon’s blend of nature, wildlife, and cultural heritage provides an enriching experience for visitors.
Gampaha District
Gampaha is an urban city in Sri Lanka and is the capital of the Gampaha District in Western Province, north of Colombo. Gampaha District is separated from Colombo mainly by the Kelani River. Gampaha town is about 4km from Miriswatta on Colombo-Kandy road. Gampaha is surrounded by Yakkala, Miriswatta, Weliweriya Udugampola and Ja-Ela towns.
The name "Gampaha" in Sinhala literally means Five Villages. The five villages are known to be Ihalagama, Pahalagama, Medagama, Pattiyagama and Aluthgama.
Western Province
The Western Province is the most densely populated province of Sri Lanka. It is home to the legislative capital Sri Jayawardenapura as well to Colombo, the nation's administrative and business center. Western Province is divided into 3 main districts called Colombo (642 km²), Gampaha (1,386.6 km²) and Kalutara (1,606 km²) districts. As Sri Lanka's economic hub, all the major local and international corporations have their presence in the city and so do all the major designer and high street retailers, so be ready to indulge in some retail therapy in western province.
Having the highest population in the all the provinces, the almost all the premier educational institutions in the island are located in western province. Universities in the province include the University of Colombo, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, University of Kelaniya, Open University, Sri Lanka, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and University of Moratuwa .Western province has the largest amount of schools in the country, which includes National, Provincial, Private and International schools.