Market on the Sands

The Rathgama Wella Fish Market

- By NEETA LAL

Soaking in the sights, sounds and smells of the food markets of Galle, a charming European style city in southern Sri Lanka, is immersive. The Rathgama Wella Fish Market sprawled along the beach, is a whirligig of activity at 6 am. Fishmongers are offloading the glistening maalu ("fish" in Sinhala) caught from the Indian Ocean. Locals crowd and haggle over the catches of the day.

"Fresh fish depends on what the boats have caught in the morning," explains guide Chef Wijendra, F&B Director of Le Grand Galle Hotel located on a beach overlooking the UNESCO heritage site of Galle Forte.

Rifling through piles of fish and mud crabs, the chef picks out the yellow-striped traveli fish, a barracuda and fresh crabs.