There are 103 rivers in the island that flow out from the hills making rapids. Pleasure and excitement from water adventure sports is on these rapids and fast water. The white water rafting with large Dingy Boats and safety items is a relatively new sport to Sri Lanka rated as an adventure sport.
Kitulgala is recognized as the birth place and center of whitewater rafting in Sri Lanka, situated in three hours from Kandy Mount Samanala (Adams Peak) road. Approximately it is three hours also from Colombo, on the A7. (Road to Nuwara Eliya via Avissawella) The Kalani River in Kitulgala gradually rolls over rock boulders making grade 1 to 4 rapids. The river is flowing through picturesque hilly region where David Lean's seven Academy Award winning film, 'Bridge on the River Kwai' film location, was shot in the mid-nineteen fifties. The evidence of the bridge of film is still seen. Kitulgala is also famous among tourists as the place for Toddy of the Kitul Palm Tree, a plain alcoholic drink. A rafting trip includes one or two hours.
The longest Mahawali River near Kandy makes another fantastic river rafting experience from by the Peradeniya University to Gatambe new bridge. But there is less of rapids and excitements but this rafting pass panoramic views of mountains, around the large Peradeniya botanic garden, historical Gatambe Buddhist Temple, Colonial English Governors Plantation although now Agriculture Department Farm Land, huge new bridges and a suspension bride. Rafting from Hotel Citadel to Mahawali Reach is also interesting with panoramic views, fauna and the flora. (We are the only rafting operator here yet)
Canoeing on Sorabora Lake is another interesting and relaxing activity. The canoes are made out from woods or fiberglass. Canoeing allows you to enjoy the scenery of banks of the lake with a large number of fauna and the flora, picturesque sunrise and sunset. Not only canoeing, canoe camping is also possible. The canoe camping is mounting tents on a boats platform and spend overnight stay in, a new experience in this lake with fishing.