Sri Lanka, Nov. 3 -- The Cabinet has approved a Rs. 700 million project to develop the Hamilton Canal and surrounding aquatic environment as a tourist attraction.

The project aims to promote nature-based and historical heritage tourism by developing coastal and marine environments in the Western Province, including the Negombo Lagoon and Hamilton Canal.

Under the proposed development programme, the Hamilton Canal will be developed from the Queen's Island Jetty in the Negombo Lagoon up to the mouth of the Ma Oya estuary, with the aim of utilising the waterway for tourism.

The Western Provincial Council has already prepared a project report outlining the proposed development activities.

The joint Cabinet proposal submitted by the Minis...