HAMILTON CANAL NEGOMBO

Garvin Hamilton, British Agent of Revenue and Commerce in 1802 started a new canal to the east of the earlier cut canal by Sinhalese king and the Dutch. This canal was called Hamilton canal and meant to link the Dutch canal by a series of parallel canals designed to drain the Muturajawela. But what happened was the opposite as the high tide brought salinity not only from Negambo lagoon but also Kelani river.
The features article under Environment on page thirty two of the Daily News of May 8, 2002 regarding the Hamilton canal carries some errors, which I wish to rectify.
During the 15th Century King Vira Parakramabahu VIII, Negombo lagoon served as the main seaport for trading in cinnamon and other commodities.
To quote the GCEC Environmental profile of Muturajawela and Negombo lagoon March 1991 (where I was a member of the Working group) it was this king, in keeping with superior economic considerations, to facilitate access and transport, who began constructing the canal.It is presently called the Dutch canal and links Kelani river with the main sea port of Negambo lagoon to the east of Muturajawela.
This led to a disaster in that the Muturajawela paddy fields were subject to saline intrusion and triggered the end of paddy cultivation in the once fertile paddy fields. (Abeysekera H.P. 1954) In the process sparking a rebellion against the King, which he could hardly suppress.During the Portuguese era that followed Negambo lagoon continued to be the main sea port for maritime trading.
The Dutch period that followed attempts were made to rehabilitate Muturajawela as a producer of paddy and develop Colombo as a sea port. The Ja ela was constructed to deliver fresh water from Attanagalu oya to flush out the salt from the soil. These attempts no doubt led to their departure as expected results never came on top of military reverses at the hands of the British. The British who followed the Dutch rule also pursued the Muturajawela bogey and undertook the rehabilitation of the swamp, as it could provide food for the subjects besides saving foreign exchange.
Garvin Hamilton, British Agent of Revenue and Commerce in 1802 started a new canal to the east of the earlier cut canal by Sinhalese king and the Dutch. This canal was called Hamilton canal and meant to link the Dutch canal by a series of parallel canals designed to drain the Muturajawela. But what happened was the opposite as the high tide brought salinity not only from Negambo lagoon but also Kelani river. To cash in this privilege, a few entrepreneurs started making salt and the government had to prosecute villages who started the salt business. Hamilton canal then earned the epithet of "Hamiltons Folly" and the local name Moda Ela or Foolish canal.

Garvin Hamilton, British Agent of Revenue and Commerce in 1802 started a new canal to the east of the earlier cut canal by Sinhalese king and the Dutch. This canal was called Hamilton canal and meant to link the Dutch canal by a series of parallel canals designed to drain the Muturajawela. But what happened was the opposite as the high tide brought salinity not only from Negambo lagoon but also Kelani river.

The features article under Environment on page thirty two of the Daily News of May 8, 2002 regarding the Hamilton canal carries some errors, which I wish to rectify.

During the 15th Century King Vira Parakramabahu VIII, Negombo lagoon served as the main seaport for trading in cinnamon and other commodities.

To quote the GCEC Environmental profile of Muturajawela and Negombo lagoon March 1991 (where I was a member of the Working group) it was this king, in keeping with superior economic considerations, to facilitate access and transport, who began constructing the canal.It is presently called the Dutch canal and links Kelani river with the main sea port of Negambo lagoon to the east of Muturajawela.

This led to a disaster in that the Muturajawela paddy fields were subject to saline intrusion and triggered the end of paddy cultivation in the once fertile paddy fields. (Abeysekera H.P. 1954) In the process sparking a rebellion against the King, which he could hardly suppress.During the Portuguese era that followed Negambo lagoon continued to be the main sea port for maritime trading.

The Dutch period that followed attempts were made to rehabilitate Muturajawela as a producer of paddy and develop Colombo as a sea port. The Ja ela was constructed to deliver fresh water from Attanagalu oya to flush out the salt from the soil. These attempts no doubt led to their departure as expected results never came on top of military reverses at the hands of the British. The British who followed the Dutch rule also pursued the Muturajawela bogey and undertook the rehabilitation of the swamp, as it could provide food for the subjects besides saving foreign exchange.

Garvin Hamilton, British Agent of Revenue and Commerce in 1802 started a new canal to the east of the earlier cut canal by Sinhalese king and the Dutch. This canal was called Hamilton canal and meant to link the Dutch canal by a series of parallel canals designed to drain the Muturajawela. But what happened was the opposite as the high tide brought salinity not only from Negambo lagoon but also Kelani river. To cash in this privilege, a few entrepreneurs started making salt and the government had to prosecute villages who started the salt business. Hamilton canal then earned the epithet of “Hamiltons Folly” and the local name Moda Ela or Foolish canal.

I wish to refer Florence Wickramage to Ceylon Government Sessional paper XX1 of 1966 for more details in addition to the text by H.P. Abeysekera 1954 to get a better perspective.

S.H.C. de Silva , Past president IESL.

Hand-Colored photograph of Padda Boats on Hamilton Canal – (Colombo to Negombo Canal), Sri Lanka 1890

In 1802 British started a new canal to the east of the earlier cut canal by Sinhalese king and the Dutch. This canal was called Hamilton canal and meant to link the Dutch canal by a series of parallel canals designed to drain the Muturajawela. But what happened was the opposite as the high tide brought salinity not only from Negambo lagoon but also Kelani river.

During the 15th Century King Vira Parakramabahu VIII, Negombo lagoon served as the main seaport for trading in cinnamon and other commodities. It is presently called the Dutch canal and links Kelani river with the main sea port of Negambo lagoon to the east of Muturajawela.

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weather of negombo

Sri Lanka's climate is quite similar to that of southern India, with an annual dry season and two monsoon periods. Negombo's weather, and that of much of the southwest coast of the island, is impacted by monsoons from May to August. From December to April, the region experiences a dry perioThe northern and eastern regions of Sri Lanka have a different monsoon season, with rains occurring from October to January and the dry season occurring from May through September. In October and November, all sections of the country are subject to occasional, short and heavy downpours accompanied by thunderstorms.

Negombo's average annual temperature runs from 29 to 30^oC, and humidity stays high year-round at around 75 per cent. During the monsoons, temperatures fall - particularly in the evening - so having a light jacket or pullover with you is a good idea. In this tropical climate, light cotton clothing is the norm. November to March is considered the best time to visitNegombo, but this is also the busiest time.d.

genaral infomations

Negombo is a leading resort on Sri Lanka's western coast, easily reached from Colombo and quite close toBandaranaike International Airport. A thriving fishing community as well as a major seaside tourist resort, Negombo's proximity to the airport makes it a convenient starting or ending point on a tour of the island nation, but it's also a worthwhile destination in its own right.Water sports are the predominant activity here, with diving, surfing and windsurfing topping the list in popularity. It's the winds offshore that attract windsurfers, helping Negombo to develop a reputation as a world-class location for the sport.

The early recorded history of Negombo notes its prominence in the spice trade - particularly trading in cinnamon, which grew in the jungle nearby. As the significance of this trade waned, fishing took on increasing importance, as has tourism more recently. Income from tourism now accounts for a large percentage of the area's economy.

The town maintains a quaint atmosphere, with architecture dating from the Portuguese and Dutch colonial periods. There are plenty of churches, mostly built by the Portuguese. St Mary's in particular is of interest for its excellent examples of ceiling paintings.

Near the seafront you'll find the ruins of an old Dutch fort and well-known gate dating from 1672. There are also a number of other Dutch structures, including a church and a well-designed canal that stretches from Colombo to Negombo and on to Puttalam. The canal can be navigated by boat or bicycle on the path which follows alongside the canal.

Local fishermen still head out to sea in their traditional outrigger canoes, known as oruwa, and follow traditional fishing methods. The sight of these craft with their brown sails billowing in the offshore winds is one of the pleasures of spending time here, particularly as the sun goes down.

If you're looking for a holiday destination within easy reach of Colombo, Negombo is a great choice. You'll findaccommodation choices ranging from smaller family hotels to full-service beachfront resorts. You can relax under swaying palms, enjoy a cocktail as the sun goes down, or get out on the water and join the growing numbers of surfers and windsurfers who are finding Negombo to be the best choice 

history of negombo

The name Negombo is derived from the Sinhalese word Meegamuwa, meaning 'village of honey'. It is said that centuries ago a swarm of bees landed in a boat, and that the point at which the boat was hauled ashore became Negombo. Negombo's early economic history was tied not to honey, however, but to its trade in cinnamon and other spices which grew wild in the jungle nearbyAt that time, Moorish traders established this important trade base by cutting the cinnamon and transporting it to Negombo. Near the end of the 16^th century, the Moors were ousted by the Portuguese, who built a fort for protection and subsequently took over the cinnamon trade. In 1640, the Dutch took control of the town for a short time, but the Portuguese recaptured it that same year. It fell to the Dutch again in 1644.

The cinnamon trade came to be a major obsession of the Dutch in Sri Lanka. Once they had conquered the provinces along the coast, they planted small groves of cinnamon for commercial purposes. The groves that exist today are what is left of those planted by the Dutch - situated to the north and south of Colombo, surrounding Negombo. The most highly-prized variety grows in Negombo's 'silver sand' belt.

The British took control of Negombo in 1796, by which time the cinnamon trade was in decline. At the same time that the Europeans were involved in building up trade with the west, a warrior clan from India took up residence and developed a fishing industry in Negombo. The immigrants from India created a new economic base for the coastal region with Negombo becoming the island's most important fishing port.

MA OYA

Ma Oya  River is a river in Sri Lanka. Measuring 129 km (80 mi) in length, the river originates from Adam's Peak and reach the sea at Kammalthota, Negambo. The Ma Oya River flows through cities in the Sabaragamuwa and Western provinces such as Kegall, Alawwa and Negambo. The mountainous forests in the Central Province is the main sources of water for the river.

Ma Oya is the 3rd largest Basin

in Sri Lanka, with a catchment area of 1,528

sq.km and a stream length of 130km. Covers 4 Provinces, 5 Districts and 24 Divisons.

LAND USE

Upper Section

�� Hilly Terrain, High Rainfall

�� Kandyan mixed forest gardens and home gardens

�� small holder tea and rubber plantations (even on steep

and >60% slopes)

�� vulnerable to soil erosion

Middle Section

�� Productive rubber plantations and home gardens

�� Small coconut holdings

Lower Section

�� Most productive coconut lands, rain fed paddy farming,

and home gardens

�� Brick making, sand / Clay mining