Madu Ganga, a beautiful river in Balapitiya located between Colombo and Galle, offers a glimpse of how it has become an integral part of the lives of the people in the area. It is considered Sri Lanka's second-largest wetland and consists of 28 islands, including two main islands that provide shelter to 215 families. For generations, Madu Ganga has played a vital role in providing food, shelter, and easy access to the mainland via small wooden boats. During the pre-colonization period, it was used as one of the main waterways connecting cities and the ancient Sinhala Kingdoms.
Madu Ganga's main treasure is its mangroves, which act as a bio-lock to the area, providing protection to various aquatic plants and animal life. The mangroves provide a home for different kinds of aquatic plants, crabs, shrimps, fish, various invertebrates, and even crocodiles. The villagers believe that the main secret of Madu Ganga is the tide, as, during the low tide, seawater comes inland and mixes with f...