District of Chilaw and Putlam. 



29 



stand, they can always ride with tolerable safety. It is locally 

 known under the name of Dutch Bay. Were a good road 

 formed from it to Kalpentyn, it would, I have no doubt, give 

 a considerable impulse to trade, by relieving merchants from 

 the risk and expense of removing their cargoes to the main- 

 land in small boats or canoes. 



The whole of the remaining portion of the sea-coast, either 

 in consequence of shoals, or from the violence of the constant 

 surf, is inaccessible; and owing to the existence of bars which 

 run across the mouths of the Dedroo Oya and Chilaw rivers, 

 coasting vessels are prevented from making an entrance there. 



Water Communication, 



There is only one Canal in the District, that which connects 

 Kalpentyn with Colombo. It was originally projected and 

 partially opened by the Dutch, but was only brought into an 

 efficient state about twenty years ago. By means of it, a great 

 portion of the trade of the District is carried on ; boats from 

 the Southern Province coming up either empty or with small 

 cargoes of furniture, betel leaves, jack fruits, &c, and taking 

 away salt, copperah, pacldy, &c, to Negombo and Colombo. 

 It is very much to be regretted, that of late this Canal has 

 again fallen into bad order, and during several months of each 

 year is laid quite dry at various points. 



That such should, at any future period, be the case, is, how- 

 ever, not at all probable; and it may therefore be confidently 

 expected that the trade of the District will rapidly and 

 steadily increase. 



Land Communication. 



There are only three high roads in the District, all of which 

 centre at Putlam; they lead respectively to Colombo, Kurne- 

 galle, and Anooradhapoora. 



The first is at present in a state of tolerable repair, and is 

 every where passable for vehicles, the requisite bridges having 

 been constructed. It is not a road of much importance, as 

 all heavy and bulky goods to be conveyed in its direction are 

 of course taken by water. 



