Hamilton Canal boosts tourism and community welfare

The Hamilton Canal, from which a foul smell was emanating due to polluted water, has become an attractive and environmental friendly water way today, thanks to the Hamilton Canal Development project the Economic Development Ministry launched under its tourism promotion program. This covers a 22 km stretch from Ma Oya to the mouth of the Kelani River.

For a long time, the natural environment and the health of residents in the vicinity of Hamilton Canal were seriously affected by waste from nearby houses and animal farms in the area. As a result the new project has drawn the wholehearted supported support of the community.

The Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation, is carrying out the work under Minister Basil Rajapaksa’s direction. Already the first stage has been completed following the development of a nine kilometre-stretch from Ma Oya to Negombo.

Work on the second stage 14 km distance from Negombo Lagoon to the mouth of the Kelani River at Hekiththa, commenced on 20 February. The first two kilometres of it is expected to be completed by the end of next month.

Minister Basil Rajapaksa has secured the cooperation of a number of state institutions in this project on President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s advice. Parallel to this project tourism promotion activity in the Negombo Lagoon and Muthrajawela are also in progress.

Under the project, a new bridge is being constructed at Palliyawatte to solve the problems people faced in crossing the canal. In addition, four foot bridges and nine main bridges which were in a dilapidated condition are now being repaired so that residents would not have to face any risks when crossing the canal.

During the 15th century, of King Vira Parakramabahu VIII, the Negombo lagoon served as the main seaport for trading in cinnamon and other commodities. According to the GCEC Environmental profile of Muthurajawela and Negombo Lagoon (March 1991), it was this king who initiated the canal project to facilitate access and transport of goods. The Dutch improved upon it and is presently called the Dutch canal, linking Kelani River with the Negombo Lagoon to the east of Muturajawela.

The canal in its present form was completed during the early British period in 1802. That year British Revenue and Commerce Agent Garvin Hamilton started a new canal, to the east of the earlier Dutch canal, to link the latter with a series of parallel canals.

The current project is aimed at not only tourism promotion but also protecting the canal banks, fauna and flora, marine life and biodiversity in the area. Improving the livelihood of residents and providing them with the infrastructure they need are part of the project.

The canal and its vicinity is of much environmental importance since the area is home to different species of fish, birds and plants and rich in bio-diversity, making it ideal for eco-tourism. In view of this, embankments will be built to protect the canal banks and either side of the waterway will be beautified. 

In addition, the canal will be de-silted and steps will be taken to prevent future pollution so that tourists will have the opportunity of travelling by boat from Negombo to places like Muthurajawela, Kelani Vihara and Dandugam Oya along Hamilton Canal with no difficulty.

After meeting the requirements of tourists visiting the area, facilities for fishermen such as marketing stalls and jetties for boats will be constructed. After the entire project is completed the Western Province Tourism Ministry and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) with the assistance of the people of the area will jointly supervise the canal’s functions.