These iconic
stilt fishermen are unique to Sri Lanka. They sit patiently on a cross bar
called petta tied to a vertical pole and driven into the sand a few
meters offshore. From this high position, the fisherman casts his line and
waits until a fish comes along to be caught. Although the technique looks ancient,
stilt fishing is only a recent tradition which has started during World War II
when food shortages and overcrowded fishing spots prompted the first shore
anglers between Unawatuna and Weligama to try fishing on the water. At first
they started fishing from the wrecks of capsised ships and downed aircrafts, later they
began erecting wooden stilts in the coastal reefs...
