Stilt Fishing in Weligama, Sri Lanka

Stilt Fishing in Weligama, Sri Lanka

Weligama, or "sandy village", is located on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Situated 144 kmsoutheast of Colombo, Weligama is a popular tourist destination that's most famous for its stiltfishermen who, as the name suggests, fish while standing on stilts. Stilt fishing was the mainsource of income for residents of Weligama, but locals say it's becoming harder and harder tomake ends meet solely through this traditional way of living.

Fisherman along the southern coast of Sri Lanka cast their lines in the traditional way atop poles so they can work in shallow water without disturbing the fish. 

This image of fishermen could be a still from a film. Sitting atop their poles, which are fixed to the ocean floor, many of these men stay up there for hours. However, with the development of new, more effective, fishing technologies, it is a tradition that is fast disappearing.

 Stilt Fishing in Weligama, Sri Lanka

Stilt Fishing in Weligama, Sri Lanka