Hamilton Dutch Canal

At the start we thought what a waste of money at $100, but the tour was quite good. We still feel expensive and would have been worth $50.

We started going through very dirty smelly water for 10 to 15 minutes then the area opened up to a beautiful waterway.

The Hamilton Canal Negombo is a waterway stretching over 14 kilometers. During the 15th century it served as the principal seaport for the cinnamon trade. The canal winds its way through Sri Lanka’s coastal towns, connecting Puttalam to Colombo and passing through the bustling city of Negombo.

Originally built by the British in 1802, the canal holds remnants of Dutch influence and centuries of history.

Between 1802 and 1804 Gavin Hamilton rebuilt the Canal to run a straighter course.Read more