Muthurajawela Marsh , Katunayake
About Muthurajawela Marsh
Muthurajawela Marsh is the country’s largest saline wetland stretching over 6000 hectares of land is located on the western coach between the river Kelani and the lagoon and at a distance of 18 kilometres from Negombo. The high tides of the sea has constantly brought the sea water into the Wetland resulting in the formation of area suitable to wildlife. The area once used to be a rich rice field before the advent of Portuguese who built a canal and the sea waters entering into canal washed away all the rice fields. Today this Muthurajawela Marsh is a habitation of a variety of flora and fauna.
Nearly 75 species of birds are sheltered here. Some of them are kingfishers, cormorants, purple herons, green herons, Egrets, Indian pond herons, 48 species of butterflies etc., and migrant birds can be spotted in the peak seasons, September to April. Both side of the canal is enrobed with dense mangrove trees and other medicinal plants are also grown here. From the visitor centre, a two hour boat ride that costs Rs900 per head takes one to the home of birds and mammals. Marsh muggers, Sri Lanka’s largest snake, Python and Monitor lizards are noticeable.
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Location & Places to Visit on Muthurajawela Marsh Map
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Places to Visit near Muthurajawela Marsh
Dutch Canal, Colombo, Western Province
3.2 km from Muthurajawela Marsh - See map
Negombo is the fourth largest city in Sri Lanka and has the only International airport of the country. It can be termed as little Rome of Sri...
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Negombo Beach, Western Province
21.7 km from Muthurajawela Marsh - See map
Located very close to Colombo city’s international airport, the Negombo Beach is a pleasant place to spend a few hours relaxing and resting....
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Wolvendaal Church, Colombo, Western Province
22.3 km from Muthurajawela Marsh - See map
Dating back to the 17th century, this antique church is an interesting Dutch masterpiece. To maintain its olden architecture and design, the...
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Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, Western Province
23.3 km from Muthurajawela Marsh - See map
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara which is located at a distance of nearly 10 kilometres northeast to Colombo is one of the most revered and Buddhist...
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Dutch Museum, Colombo, Western Province
23.5 km from Muthurajawela Marsh - See map
Among busy streets and crowded bazaars lies the Dutch Period Museum, a place that showcases the Dutch history of the island. The museum is old,...
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Colombo Fort, Western Province
24 km from Muthurajawela Marsh - See map
The general impression of forts is that they are majestic and colossal, however, the Colombo Fort is a clear exception. With no major timeworn...
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Pettah Floating Market, Western Province
24.1 km from Muthurajawela Marsh - See map
Built by the engineering teams of Navy and Army and located in Bastian Mawatha in Pettah neighborhood is the Pettah Floating Market which floats...
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Bally's Casino, Colombo, Western Province
24.9 km from Muthurajawela Marsh - See map
Bally’s Casino is the most well-known, sophisticated, fashionable and highly frequented Casino of Colombo. It is not only the biggest one in...
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Viharamahadevi Park, Western Province
25 km from Muthurajawela Marsh - See map
Among the smoke, noise, crowd and stink of the bustling city lies the vast, green Viharamahadevi Park. The landscape of this park is decorated...
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Gangaramaya Temple, Western Province
25.1 km from Muthurajawela Marsh - See map
With a mix of cultural heritage and unique architecture, this temple is of prime importance to Buddhism. Situated just by the Beira Lake, the...
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National Art Gallery, Colombo, Western Province
25.3 km from Muthurajawela Marsh - See map
The National Art Gallery in Colombo is situated next to National Museum in Cinnamon gardens displays many beautiful portraits and landscapes. As...
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Seema Malaka Temple, Western Province
25.4 km from Muthurajawela Marsh - See map
Seema Malaka Temple is assembly hall for the monks at Gangaramaya Vihara temple used chiefly for meditation. The temple, situated on the waters of...
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