Madu River, which flows across the Balapitiya area, is one of the most rarely visited and unspoiled attractions of Sri Lanka. This extraordinary estuary with a cluster of 64 small islands scattered along with its impressive breadth, most of which are covered with mangroves and uninhabited, is also a haven for crocodiles. The largest island is home to around 300 native families, and the smallest barely an islet holds a tiny shrine with a statue built in respect to the Gods of Kataragama. There is also “Kurundu Doowa (Cinnamon Isle)” where a small family maintains a two-acre cinnamon plantation, and the main attraction “Koth Doowa” (Island of the Pinnacle) which houses a serene Buddhist temple, all of which adds up to a truly remarkable and unforgettable boat ride.