Blessed with pristine coastlines that stretch on in never ending horizon lines the island of Sri Lanka is a beach haven like no other in Asia. In fact the country’s first recorded name “Thambapanni’ referred to the silky, golden sanded beaches of the island’s shorelines that glisten in the tropical sun as it has since time immemorial. Although most beach lovers head to this scenic corner of the globe for sun, surf and a fantastic tan there are still others that come to these sun kissed shores for a cultural experience of a lifetime. Steeped in an ancient fishing practice that is still used by local fishermen, the one of a kind experience is now open for enthusiastic tourists quite literally at first hand.
Visitors who wish to take part in the drawing in of the maadal (large fishing net) at Palatupana must head out of their respective hotels in the wee hours of the morning after a quick breakfast as the net is drawn in as the morning sunlight hits the beach. Located near the Yala Wildlife Sanctuary the fishing folk of Palatupana leave their thatched roofed homes at first light to scatter the maadal on wooden catamarans. The massive net is laid out nearly 300m from the coastline and left there to entrap fish varieties for approximately two hours. The net or maadal is only drawn in around 8am when tourists and other visitors can join in to assist them in drawing in the massive net now heavy and teeming with marine life. The challenging task is assisted at least in spirit by the familiar call of “Hela, Hellai” which urges the pullers to tug harder at the net and draw it to the shore. Taking infrequent breaks the fishermen and the welcome helpers loosen their hold as the tide takes the net further out to sea before dragging it with all their might once the tide turns. The chanting of the “Hela, Hellai” also serves to maintain a rhythm during tugging so all pullers focus their energy at the same time.
Once the net is safely on shore the catch is weighed, sorted and distributed with those who assisted in the tugging of the net awarded their own portion of the day’s catch as a reward.
Travellers in search of a cosy Yala hotel in the emerald isle once known as Ceylon should look no further than Chaaya Wild Yala. Picturesquely situated this stylish rest in the wilderness is one of the finest Yala hotels Sri Lanka has to offer.
