Traditional Fishermen’s Experience

Stilt fishing is one of the most ancient fishing methods used in Sri Lanka. It consists of a single pole and crossbar planted out in the sea close to the seashore, on which fishermen balanced for hours and hours in order to fish their daily needs.

Stilt fishing was widely practiced in Koggala and generally in the area between Unawatuna and Weligama until the Tsunami in 2004 which damaged the marine ecosystems and devastated the coastline of Sri Lanka. After that, most of the “original” stilt fishermen in Sri Lanka who lost everything moved inland. In addition to that, for security reasons it seems the Sri Lankan government has forbidden the use of this method. Now in the coastal areas, only a few original stilt fishermen are left.