Madu Ganga is a beautiful river that nestles alongside Whispering Waters in the southern coastal belt offering dozens of islets forested with mangroves. Apart from the land’s natural beauty, the history reveals that the Buddhist Amarapura Nikaya sect had its first Upasampada (higher ordination ceremony) on a fleet of boats anchored upon it in 1803. The travelers to the site have an opportunity to view Buddhist Kothduwa temple situated on an isolated island in the lake. Madu Ganga is considered as Sri Lanka’s second largest wetland consisting of 32 islands including two main islands providing shelter for 215 families.

The Madu Ganga is a shallow water body in south-west Sri Lanka, Which enters the sea at Balapitiya. Madu Ganga‘ together with the smaller Randombe Lake, connected by two narrow channels, forms the Madu Ganga wetland. Its estuary and the many mangrove islets on it constitute a complex coastal wetland ecosystem. The land has high ecological, biological and aesthetic significance, being the home to 302 species of plants of which 19 are endemic plants and to 230 species of vertebrate animals of which 20 are endemic species. Madu Ganga is possibly one of the last remaining tracts of pristine mangrove forests in Sri Lanka and the mangroves covers and extent of 52 hectares along the river.11 species of mangroves can be found in this area. The Madu Ganga Wetland was declared in the list of ‘Wetlands of International Importance’ in 2003, in the Ramsar Convention.

The main treasure of Madu Ganga is its mangroves that act as a bio-lock to the area in giving protection to the variety of aquatic plants and animal life. They provide a home for different kinds of aquatic plants, crabs, shrimps, fish, various invertebrates and other animal life including crocodiles. The area is a much favored destination for around 70 species of fish and 13 species of migratory birds. Madu Ganga boat tours provides travelers natural foot massages from hundreds of fish. The Madu Ganga boat rides are popular among local and foreign visitors to the area. This ride gives travelers several memorable experiences and this natural fish therapy is one of them. There are several fish spas located within Balapitiya, Madu Ganga. Many artificial cage ponds are built in the natural river forming the breeding grounds for doctor fish. Once the visitors get in to the floating stage of the boat and soak their feet inside, hundreds of fish gently nibble off the dead skin. Over the years, Madu Ganga has played an important role in providing food and shelter and of course providing easy access to the main land via small wooden boats. During the pre-colonization period Madu Ganga was used as one of the mainwater ways connecting cities and ancient Sinhala Kingdoms. The ancient Kothduwa temple is located in one of the islands of the Madu Ganga.