Madu Ganga
A small river that widens into a lake at Balapitiya before running 4.4 km to the Indian Ocean. A Ramsar wetland, it is lined with mangroves and scattered with islands, and boat trips wind through its channels.
- Where
- Balapitiya, Southern Province, Sri Lanka
- Grade
- Heritage site
- Worth
- 10 points collected on site, plus 3 for its grade
- Coordinates
- 6.2736, 80.0347
Get the Madu Ganga stamp
Open LOQAH when you are at Madu Ganga. It checks where you are once, at that moment, and the stamp is yours: confirmed on site in gold and struck with the date. It goes into your Southern Province volume with your photos and a note.
Near Madu Ganga
Hikkaduwa National Park 16 km
One of Sri Lanka's three marine national parks, a coral reef lying just off Hikkaduwa beach. Protected as a sanctuary since 1979 and a national park since 2002, its shallow water is a place to snorkel among reef fish and sea turtles.
Sinharaja Forest Reserve 27 km
The last stretch of virgin rainforest left in Sri Lanka, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Under its canopy live many rare plants and animals found nowhere else in the world.
Galle Fort 34 km
A walled old town on a headland in the Bay of Galle, first built by the Portuguese in 1588 and heavily fortified by the Dutch from 1649. Inside its ramparts are streets of colonial houses, churches and a lighthouse, and the walls make a fine walk at sunset.
Kalutara Bodhiya 36 km
A sacred fig tree beside the Kalu River on the Galle road, believed to be one of the 32 saplings of the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura. Next to it stand the Kalutara temple and a large modern stupa, and travellers along the coast road often stop to make offerings.
Unawatuna 37 km
A beach town about five kilometres south east of Galle, set around a sheltered curve of sand. It is known for its calm water and coral, which makes it one of the island's most popular places to swim and snorkel.
Kitulgala 42 km
A small town on the Kelani River where The Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed, though only the concrete footings of the bridge remain. These days it is the base for white water rafting, which starts a few kilometres upstream.
Koggala Lagoon 45 km
A coastal lagoon behind the south coast at Koggala, about 110 km south of Colombo. Eight small islands dot its waters, rich in birds and mangroves, and boats take visitors across to them.
Mirissa 59 km
A small fishing town on the south coast, about 150 km from Colombo, with a curving beach and a lively night scene. Its harbour is one of the island's main bases for whale and dolphin watching trips.
More heritage sites in Southern Province
Questions
Where is Madu Ganga?
Madu Ganga is in Balapitiya, Southern Province, Sri Lanka. The nearest other LOQAH stamps are Hikkaduwa National Park (16 km), Sinharaja Forest Reserve (27 km), Galle Fort (34 km).
How do I get the Madu Ganga stamp?
Open LOQAH when you are at Madu Ganga and get its stamp. The app checks where you are once, at that moment, and the stamp goes into your Southern Province volume, confirmed on site, with the date.
I have been to Madu Ganga before. Can I still have the stamp?
Yes. Add it from Earlier trips in your Southern Province volume, with the date if you know it, or import your Google Timeline and LOQAH matches the places you were.
Collect your first stamp.
LOQAH is free on iPhone and Android, in India and 20 more countries, with more countries on the way. Stand at a place, collect its stamp, and keep every trip in a passport that grows.