Constructed by the British in 1802, the Hamilton Canal is a 14.5 km canal connecting Puttalam to Colombo, passing through Negombo. Also known as the Dutch Canal, it was designed to drain seawater from the nearby wetlands. It connects the original network of Dutch canals that were used to transport goods and passengers prior to the construction of the railway networks. Today, the route passes through the bustling fishing village life of the Negambo lagoon, where one can witness the hauling in of the daily catch, the bargaining of the vendors, the simple lifestyle of the fisher folk, several notable Dutch-inspired churches, and unique wildlife along the way. Catch a glimpse of amphibians like Water Monitors as they bask in the sun, or a bright, blue Kingfisher waiting for an unsuspecting fish to peep through the waters.