Stage 01: Kayankerni Bridge → Archaeological Site

Stage One starts at the Kayankerni Bridge and leads upstream in a northwestern direction. This section is the narrowest channel among the stages, where visitors can experience calm water, gliding among high mangrove stands and encountering rich bird diversity.

The mangroves also serve as a fishing environment for artisanal fishermen engaging in brush pile fishing, cast net fishing, and crab ring net fishing. They often build temporary huts by the side of the water and use a unique fishing method by lighting lanterns outside the hut over the water column in order to attract insects, which in turn attract fish to feed as they fall into the water, allowing the fishermen to catch them.

Fishermen also use many sustainable netting strategies, which attracts birds, especially Brahminy kites and Kingfishers to hover over the nets. Visitors could observe this cultural and ecological relationship while moving toward the stone bridge under the mangrove canopy, where sun rays filtered through the trees create a perfect atmosphere.

At the end of Stage One, visitors will reach the remnants of the ancient Vannadi Stone Bridge. Historical sources suggest that this bridge was linked to the ancient Polonnaruwa Kingdom as suggested by moonstones found in the area.

Visitors may go further from this point; however, continuing may be difficult as the trail becomes quite narrow, due to the mangroves growing very close to the water column and also the shallowness of the water. Visitors are also encouraged to use insect repellent, as mangroves, though beautiful, provide perfect nurseries for mosquitoes to thrive.