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62. — Kumbula valai (Tamil). 
Locality : Puttalam. 
Fish caught : All kinds of fish. 
Description : The same type of net as the Suraya valai. 
It bears floats along its upper edge and is made of medium 
string. 
Dimensions : Length, 12 fathoms ; height, 5 feet ; mesh, 
If inch. 
Method oj Use : It is worked from two boats, each boat 
ha\dng an end. The net is first stretched out to its extreme 
length and then the two boats move towards each other, thus 
enclosing a number of fish. 
This net is used in the Puttalam lake by Moormen only. 
(Not the same as the Kumbula dela of Chilaw.) 
63, — Siri dela (Sinhalese) or Siri valai (Tamil). 
Locality : Negombo and Chilaw. 
Fish caught : Prawns and immature fish. 
Description : A vertical net used in the shallow waters of the 
Negombo lagoon. 
Dimensions : Length, four pieces, each 9 yards long ; 
depth, 5 feet ; mesh, f inch. 
Method oj Use : This net is manipulated by two men, one 
at each end of the net. The net is first drawn out straight, 
the lower edge being kept in position close to the bottom by 
means of the men's feet. The net is dra^^^l towards the shore, 
and the men gradually approach each other, thus entrapping 
the fish. At Chilaw the net is used at night and the fish are 
driven towards the net by men with torches. This net is 
used by the Sea street fishermen, and the Munnakarai people 
have not raised any objection to its use. 
Under the bye-laws published in the Government Gazette of 
December 5, 1913, this net in its present form is prohibited, 
as its mesh is less than 2 inches. This net is similar to the 
Siru valai of Batticaloa, except that the latter is worked from 
boats, and has different dimensions. 
