Muthurajawela Sanctuary Bird Watching and Negombo Lagoon Boat Trip from Colombo

<p>Muthurajawela is the largest saline coastal peat bog in Sri Lanka. </p>

<p>The Marsh together with the Negombo Lagoon form an integrated coastal wetland eco-system with marsh lagoon complex itself estimated to have originated around the year 5000 BC. The northern section of the marsh covering an area of 1,777ha was declared a sanctuary in July 1996 under the fauna &amp; flora protection ordinance. </p>

<p>The marsh is a major local and tourist attraction, primarily used for sightseeing and boating tours, and the area also supports local agriculture and forestry. </p>

<p>Visitors to the region are guided through the sanctuary areas by the staff of the Muthurajawela Marsh Centre to avoid serious harm to the marsh ecosystem.</p>