The lagoon is fed by a number of small rivers, including Churiyan Aru. It is linked to the sea by a narrow channel that is very often blocked by the sand bar. The lagoon's water is brackish.
The lagoon was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1951. It has since been popular for its bird sanctuary and boat safari amongst tourists.[3]
References
S.W. Kotagama, Leonard Pinto and Jayampathi L. Samarakoon. "Sri Lanka"(PDF). Wetlands International. Archived from the original(PDF) on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2009.