Monthly Archive for November, 2007

Arugam Bay is a surf spot

Arugam Bay the Surfers paradise

November 30, 2007 A?a??a?? 11:47 am Arugam Bay is located in the East cost of Sri Lanka, the unspoiled beautiful beach is a must visit place. Arugam Bay is with an easy reach of the town Pottuvil and you can visit many interesting and beautiful places like Yala, Kataragama, Lahugala National Park and superb kovils at Oganda as well.

Arugam Bay is among the worldA?a??a??s top ten surfing locations. The people in the area have developed tourism by their own there are no larger hotels, most of the hotels are stilt cabins and coconut palm leaf cabins. Near by village abundant bird life and the archeological sites have made Arugam Bay a destination like no other. No wonder Arugam Bay awarding the highly commended Best Destination by the World Travel Market Responsible Tourism Awards Ceremony which was held in London on the 14 th of November among other thousands of nominees.
Arugam Bay

Endep online bible Bookmark It

source:
http://goldensrilanka.com/blog/travel-news/arugam-bay-the-surfers-paradise/ Celexa hair loss treatment

A long lost article has resurfaced

Sunday Times – Sri Lanka 2005 January 9th – Plus – Page 5


Once Sri Lanka’s surf paradise,
Arugam Bay offers only rubble and mass graves after the tsunami

     

Lost to the sea

By Kavan Ratnatunga
Arugam Bay on the south-east coast of Lanka is surf paradise. Many travel there directly from the airport ignoring the country?smany other attractions. In the aftermath of the tsunami, on December 30, I joined Lt.Col. Anil Amerasekara, Daya Fernando who had a beach house in Arugam Bay and Lalith Karunaratna who is an engineer from Sony in Dubai to deliver relief aid from the Thawalama organisation to Pottuvil and Arugam Bay.

Finax tablet online buy

Driving south to Lahugala, we passed many aid trucks on the road each with a large white banner in front proclaiming the name of the organization. An idea probably started by aid sent by one TV station and copied by many. I was glad our vehicle had no banner, there was no need for self-publicity at this time. Lahugala near the STF camp was crammed with trucks. There were far more items than could be stored for distribution to the victims. All possible rooms which had any storage space were piled to the ceiling. One needed to “know someone” to get any aid stored under cover. Dry rations unloaded next to the road were soaking in the rain for lack of covered space.

We dropped off all of the relief supplies at the local administration office at Lahugala which agreed to distribute them to the tsunami victims when needed over the next few weeks.

Driving east to Pottuvil, we passed beautiful green paddy-fields and then saw the Pottuvil to Arugam Bay bridge in the distant horizon. Half of the bridge had been washed away and the other half stood ending in midair. The surroundings abruptly changed to a barren land washed away by the tsunami.The town was a huge mess, though in the process of being cleaned. Earth moving plows were hard at work. All of the shops near the coast had been washed away leaving empty shells. The dead had been buried in mass graves. We were told that some of the foreigners had been photographed before burial and sites recorded, but I suspect this was not done systematically.

It was amazing to see the Buddha statue next to the bridge absolutely undamaged. Even the plate glass in front of it and the Bodhi tree near it were unscathed, even though there was much destruction to the Pottuvil village behind it and the distant half of the large bridge was completely destroyed and washed away.
arugambay_dog.jpg


We went by boat under the bridge and across the causeway, to get to Arugam Bay. Walking onto devastated land was an eerie feeling. The residents had all left leaving a ghost town behind. A stray dog was looking for lunch. Items that had floated in had landed in unexpected places. There were beds from guest-houses next to smashed up cars and boats.

Buy propecia finasteride 1mg


Suddenly we came up to a large sign which read “Tsunami Beach Hotel Restaurant” below a painted tidal wave. We had clearly reached surf paradise, but sadly it had been an untimely death for many from surfing a tsunami.
 

The Bank of Ceylon next to the Pizzeria, Bier Garten and Internet Cafe were reminders of the rich international culture in Arugam Bay. A laptop could be seen open on the ground where the receding wave had left it. An album of photographs showed glimpses of a happier past.

arugambay_cafe.jpg
After about a two km walk in the light rain through the devastated land we reached Daya’s partly destroyed beach house. The front door and half the kitchen had been washed away. The first wave had struck about 9 a.m. and the second which was much stronger soon after. It had gone over the electricity posts which are probably around 25 feet high. The two caretakers had luckily lived through the ordeal with the tourists who had been in residence. They were able to swim as a small group and ride out the wave.

They told the story of the night before the tsunami when a wild elephant had come to the back of the hotel and refused to go away, even when chased. The caretakers are now convinced the elephant was trying to warn them of the tsunami.


Piles and Piles:Donations in abundance


See also Unawatuna – Fallen and Reclaimed by Nature


Author is Seretary of LAcNet a US Non-profit organization registered in 1991 which is collecting funds for Tsunami relief in Lanka as highlighted in LAcNet web page http://www.theacademic.org/tsunami/This text is a copy of Lost to the sea By Kavan Ratnatunga which appeared in the SundayTimes of Sri Lanka on 2005 Junuary 9th. The eEdition online doesn’t have the illustrations of the printed copy. I have also added above a few more illustrations to middle of article which seems to have been cut out to make room for a large advertisment.In my original more candid Blog I wrote for distribution among friends I did comment about the Buddha Statue as a Physicist: Many such selective observations from many parts of Lanka hit by the Tsunami are being explained not by Statistical Physics of Turbulent Motion, but the laws of Karma. I guess the editors of the SundayTimes wanted to save me from any bad Karma.

Sri Lanka a safe destination

Buy zovirax pills online

Sri Lanka is one of the safest destinations for tourists and the security situation in the country has been exaggerated overseas by false propaganda, Chairman of the Faith Task Force, UK, Anthony Bailey said in an interview with the Daily News.

Bailey, an advisor to the British Prime Minister, was spending his honeymoon in Sri Lanka and had traveled to the South, Dambulla, Sigiriya and Nuwara Eliya over a period of ten days.

He observed that there was a concerted effort to tarnish the image of the country overseas focusing on the conflict in the North and East.

Bailey who wedded Crown Princess of Austria, Franz Ferdinand, said that now that has seen the reality first hand he will carry the message to other countries that Sri Lanka is a safe destination with a unique scenic beauty. He also noted that the country has a unique spiritual harmony with people from all communities and subscribing to different religious co-existing without any conflict.

Crown Princess of Austria – Franz Ferdinand????

Royal Highness Marie Therese von Hohenberg!!!!

LakehouseA?A?

Purchase eulexin manufacturer

Swiss Red Cross

Buy cheap aceon Buy minocin online uk

1600 Ship Wrecks between Arugambay and Galle

Nexium priceline

Hidden Treasure
25 November:34:06
By Gayan Ratnayake

Sri Lanka a treasure trove of unexplored maritime history: archaeologists

Nov 25, 2007 (LBO) A?a??a?? Archaeologists working on a Dutch colonial era shipwreck in Sri Lanka’s southern Galle port say 12 more wrecks lie submerged, awaiting excavation and cataloging as historical treasure.

“There are 27 sites which contain 12 shipwrecks in the Galle port,” Rasika Muthucumarana, archeologist from the maritime archeology unit in Galle, told LBO.

The maritime archeological team who worked on the Dutch wreck, the Avondster, has already started work on excavating a wooden ship and a steel steam ship in the bay.

Muthucumarana says the archaeology unit excavates and conserves the artifacts but the wreck will be left underwater as breeding grounds for fish and corrals.

It is also expensive and time consuming to collect pieces of wrecks and assemble them on dry land, Muthucumarana said.

The ships lying underwater were used by merchants to transport goods and some of the wrecks date back to the 13th century.

The recently excavated Avondster, which belonged to the Dutch East India Trading company, was wrecked in 1659 when her anchor slipped and the ship ran aground.

The Avondster Actonel mail order

The Avondster was excavated for four years from 2001 where the team recovered 2,000 artefacts. But the 2004 tsunami swept away around 70 percent of the collection, Muthucumarana says.

The excavation was financed by the government of Netherlands which gave 700 million rupees to Sri Lanka to initiate development and conservation projects on heritage sites in the southern region from 2006 to 2009.

One of the main goals of the excavation was to build capacity of Sri Lankan archaeologists and conservators to continue a permanent archaeology program in the island, says Senerath Dissanayake, director general of the department of archaeology.

Furthermore, the projects focus on developing cultural tourism activities that would help the local economy of the region through more employment opportunities.

At present, the Dutch funded development projects are focused on restoring the colonial-era forts in Galle, Matara and Katuwana, and the Kataragama temple.

An ancient Dutch warehouse within the Galle fort is being restored to be used as a maritime museum and a visitor centre.

Unconfirmed reports say that over 1,600 shipwrecks lie along the coastline of Sri Lanka from Colombo to Pottuvil in the eastern coast, that have not been excavated due to financial and other difficulties.

In Galle, of the dozen sunken ships in the harbour, six ships belonged to the East India Trading company.

The Galle Port

The Galle bay was used from the pre Christian times as a natural harbor in the southern region but gained importance after the 12th century.

Several stone anchors of Indo-Arabian origin have also been discovered, one weighing almost a ton made of stone probably from Oman, and with a wooden anchor stock around five hundred years old.

Excavated stone anchor

Another anchor has been found of Mediterranean origin, similar to those used in Roman times.

A celadon bowl which was named after its tint of green (celadon) is one of the few relics found, relating to the early trade with China’s Southern Song dynasty (13th century). But the famous blue-and-white Chinese ware is found in abundance.

http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?newsID=717462877&no_view=1&SEARCH_TERM=12

Eastern Water

Where to buy amaryllis bulbs in toronto Buy nizagara 100

Green Lung of Asia

The responsible world begins to take global warming serious.
And Sri Lanka is planning to point out its unique ecological position.
The island Nation, it is said, has NO Co2 emission at all.
Indeed, our green Island produces more Oxygen than its own emission of harmful gasses.
Arugam.info is informed that if this claim is proven to be correct, it will form the back bone of the entire future strategy of the Tourist Board.

In Arugam Bay we are blessed with no sea pollution at all.
That’s obvious, as we clearly have no industry or sewage which could ever spoil the quality of our blue waters.

Due to foreseeable energy shortages a few fossil fuel power stations are under construction in places like Trincomalee. The government might be forgiven to seek quick fix solutions; Ministers are busy with more pressing tasks.

Arugam.info however feels that wise and western NGO’s should have played a better role in using their huge financial muscle to influence policy and educate our small developing Nation.
Starting by giving a good example, for example?
In the case of Arugam Bay the exact opposite has happened!
Still, there is not a single solar panel around, there still are no windmills on any of our windswept beaches or hills, no renewable energy sources qualified for funding, there hasn’t even been a single low energy bulb donated (or used in NGO’s offices!!).
Instead, guys like Mercy Corps donated:
1.) Two stroke Mopeds (instead of electric ones, available for the same price)
2.) Compressor fridges and freezers (instead of LPG or inverter or heat pump systems)
3.) Two stoke 3-wheelers (outlawed in most Nations, the 4 Stroke BajajA?A? was available)
4.) Electric water heaters are said to be donated and installed in small restaurants
5.) Noise & beach polluting boats and Suzuki Kerosine engines
6.) Obscure Las Vegas Style light chains for visiting TV stunts like O.W. “Lights of Hope”
…….and many more energy consuming gimmicks were dished out in true US style, just to obtain a good photo for the distant donors and for the flash M/C newsletter.
Buy tadacip from india Arugam.info at the time tried to help organizations such as Mercy Corps and The Angel Network to see the light of the future and use chances a remote enclave like the Bay offered to them and their long-term plans.
Our help was refused – and our own bed sheet poster, at the time: “No light – No hope” was of course totally ignored. Although much more appropriate, as NONE of the great Mercy Corpse funded ‘projects’ survived the first year of ‘operation.
Indeed, some dismissed and jobless staff had to be drafted in for the follow-on Oprah show to state “how much the US guys have changed our lives” and so on.
Five minutes after the TV guys left – the local girls of the tailor shopA?A? were without any job again, until this very day…A great deception some would call it.

It is with regret and great sadness that with all the huge sums collected, and the wisdom the rest of the world possesses regarding the future of our GREEN planet that we seem unable to begin to make realistic changes in a greenfield micro location such as Arugam Bay.
We (the NGO’s) had the cash, we had the knowledge and wisdom – and still the end effect has been totally negative.
We even damaged our own environment more than before 2004.
We had a great chance to build a better place, but it was totally missed.
At least ever since the arrival of ‘expert’ men and women from overseas.
Online prescription for cymbalta And thanks to Mercy Corps to change lives in Arugam Bay!
(Closing words of Ms. Whinfrey in her show on Arugam Bay)

Arugam Bay hits the top as a A?a??E?Best DestinationA?a??a??

Arugam Bay

At a packed hall of enthusiastic tourism crowds, the World Travel Market Responsible Tourism Awards Ceremony took place at Excel in Docklands London on the 14th November 2007 and Arugam Bay in Sri Lanka was awarded the A?a??E?Highly Commended Best DestinationA?a??a?? award. This recognition no doubt is a tremendous boost and an instrument for the revival and development of tourism in Arugam Bay and also adds a high profile for Sri LankaA?a??a??s tourism. There will no doubt be immeasurable publicity generated reaching the tourism industry and consumer media worldwide and this will certainly contribute towards image building of Sri Lanka as a responsible and sustainable tourism destination.

The World Travel Market (WTM) is the premier trade fair in the travel and tourism industry and draws a huge number of top executives, service providers, buyers and government tourism officials every year in November to London. Approximately 5,500 buyers and suppliers representing 202 countries and territories attend the WTM. The World Travel MarketA?a??a??s World Responsible Tourism Day was sponsored by the Virgin Holidays and held in association with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Fiona Jeffrey, Chairperson of the World Travel Market at the opening ceremony said A?a??A?WTM World Responsible Tourism Day on 14th November is the day that the aimless talking had to stop and the action began. For the first time ever we will bring the entire planet and the travel and tourism industry together in a way that has never been previously done.A?a??A?

Responsible Tourism Partnership, also a WTM World Responsible Tourism Day accredited logo user for the work its doing in the Responsible Tourism sector, says that it is delighted to have been able to assist Arugam Bay to receive this very important international tourism accolade and also recognize the work of several NGOs and organizations such as Sewalanka Foundation , Arugam Bay Tourism Association and ICEI in Arugam Bay who have been actively working rebuilding livelihoods promoting community tourism efforts. There is tremendous international interest currently in green and responsible tourism, this is strongly seen not only from the consumer side but also from the travel and tourism industry side and this international award for Arugam Bay will open the eyes of the tourism policy makers and the tourism industry to advance in sustainable tourism development.

Arugam Bay is classed among the top ten surf destinations in the world and there is so much more. The village itself is a delightful experience, there are no big hotel chains there and the community has developed tourism with their own hard work and imagination. Three star establishments rub shoulders with low-key stilt cabins and coconut palm leaf cabanas, and tourists share the beach with local fishermen. The wild and rugged scenery, elephants browsing at the edge of the village, abundant birdlife, and mysterious archaeological sites have made this a long time favourite destination for travellers.

The three ethnic groups ( Buy tadacip from india Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims) work and live in harmony. The population is 3,000 families and tourism establishments consist mostly of small family managed hotels/guesthouses and restaurants.

The community wants community-based tourism and feel that what makes Arugam Bay attractive is the community involvement and it should not be made a mass tourism destination. In Arugam Bay, tourism not only brings money, but it also creates a vehicle for peace for three ethnic groups to work and live in harmony. Community wants to link with government and protect the lifeline to the community and create a different model for Sri Lanka Tourism. The community is not against development but demands that it should benefit the community and not keep them away and only involve outsiders. The success will be when the experiences achieved by the community are used for future development.

http://lankapage.wordpress.com/2007/11/21/sri-lanka%E2%80%99s-arugam-bay-hits-the
-top-as-a-%E2%80%98best-destination%E2%80%99/

How much differin

Walker Construction

By Feizal Sameth

Colombo, Nov 20 (Bernama) — A top Malaysian conglomerate involved in construction and infrastructure development which has taken a majority stake in a Sri Lankan company is stepping up work on road development and housing projects here.

MTD Capital Bhd recently bought out Kapila Heavy Equipment Plc and last week renamed the Colombo firm as MTD Walkers Plc.

It is the company’s third subsidiary in Sri Lanka, after MTD CML Construction Ltd and MTD Construction Ceylon Pvt Ltd which handle housing and road development. MTD Walkers will tackle engineering tasks.

MTD group managing director Datuk Azmil Khalid told shareholders of MTD Walkers at an extraordinary general meeting here last week that it has submitted bids under the guidance of the Malaysian government to undertake construction of the Colombo-Kandy Alternate Highway and the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway.

Both are proposed major arteries running out of Colombo to key cities as well as the international airport complex.

He said construction of 25,000 housing units is being carried out by MTD CML at an investment cost of over 2.7 billion rupees (RM81.6 million).

In addition, MTD Walkers is marketing automated tea rollers locally and abroad in India, Africa and elsewhere. These are technically advanced machines optimising efficiency and enhancing greater profitability with minimum labour costs, he said.

MTD Capital acquired 90 percent of Kapila Heavy and also took over its management in June this year and is restructuring it.

Plans are underway to rebuild the group’s new head office in Colombo while improving the working environment of its workshops and branches at Ratnapura, Bandarawela and Galle, all outside Colombo, Azmil said.

The former Kapila Heavy has prime property in Colombo worth millions of rupees, the biggest asset of the company.

H. Channa Caldera, director of the renamed company, said it is actively pursuing infrastructure projects such as the petroleum oil storage tank for the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation as well as projects for the Sri Jayawardanepura-Kotte Municipal Council, Sri Lanka Telecom and the Dialog Telekom head office expansion.

He added that the group is also involved in local infrastructure and other development work for the Ministry of Irrigation and the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka as well as the construction of a steel bridge at Arugam Bay in the Eastern Province Femcare shipping .

Walkers was one of the well-known British companies in Sri Lanka. It was sold to an Indian company, Bolts, and Hapila Heavy bought it 15 years ago.

Azmil told the meeting that the company had incurred heavy losses and the new management is in the process of cleaning the balance sheet and generating business.

— BERNAMA

source:
http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_business.php?id=297317

Ayurveda

Sri Lanka In der Heimat der Heilslehre sind Anwendungen mehr als Wellness

BlA?A?tterzA?A?hlen im Ayurveda-Dickicht

Duftende KrA?A?uter, aromatische KA?A?che, A?A?lige Massagen: zu Besuch im Resort einer Familie, die sich seit 200 Jahren der Lehre vom Wissen des Lebens widmet. Purchase methotrexate

Von Stefan Nink

Die beiden links noch, dann bin ich mir ganz sicher, dass es 87 sind. Nicht 86 oder 88, und auch nicht 92, wie ich zwischenzeitlich mal meinte. Nein: 87. Man mag gar nicht glauben, wie kompliziert es sein kann, in einer Badewanne zu liegen und BlA?A?tter zu zA?A?hlen. Das soll ich aber, damit ich nicht einnicke. Als ob diese Gefahr jemals bestehen kA?A?nnte! Das Badewasser wirft gleich BlA?A?schen, so heiA?A? ist es, und stA?A?ndig lA?A?uft mir das A?a??l in die Augen, mit dem mein Kopf eben noch massiert wurde. AuA?A?erdem piekst das Spinatzeugs, in das sie mich gepackt haben. Ich versuche, mit dem groA?A?en Zeh ein Loch in das KrA?A?uterdickicht an der WasseroberflA?A?che zu stoA?A?en. KA?A?hler wird es dadurch nicht. Zur Ablenkung kontrolliere ich noch mal das Ergebnis der ayurvedischen Algebra.

Cheap levothroid dosage

Dass ich die BlA?A?tter des Bhodibaums zA?A?hlen soll, dessen dA?A?rres GeA?A?st A?A?ber der Wanne kront, hat der Doc empfohlen. Lord Buddha habe das auch getan. Ich dachte, der Erleuchtete habe unter einem Baum meditiert. Dass er wie ich auf kleiner Flamme gegart worden war, wusste ich nicht. Was ich aber weiA?A?, ist: Der erste Anwendungstag ist gleich vorbei, ich darf sein Ende nur nicht verschlafen.

Wenn Sie beim Stichwort “Ayurveda” von Massagen im FA?A?nf-Sterne-Resort trA?A?umen, von samtenen A?a??len und regenbogenfarbenen Gesundheits-Cocktails, die ihnen Kellner zusammen mit frischen FlauschhandtA?A?chern an den Pool bringen, wenn Sie an Duftkerzen denken und an “CafA?A? del Mar”-KlA?A?nge – eben all das, was Ihnen Frauenzeitschriften penetrant als Ayurveda verkaufen -, dann erwartet Sie hier eine unsanfte Landung in der RealitA?A?t. Das “Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health Resort” in Sri Lanka ist alles andere als ein WohlfA?A?hl-Tempel, eher der HotelgeschA?A?ftszweig des berA?A?hmtesten Ayurveda-Familienunternehmens im Land. Die Hettigodas beschA?A?ftigen sich seit mehr als 200 Jahren mit nichts anderem als mit der “Lehre vom Wissen des Lebens”. Man kann sich vorstellen, dass ihnen ayurvedische Kleidungs- und Einrichtungstipps in deutschen Lifestylemagazinen egal sind.

ZunA?A?chst bekommt jeder eine kurze EinfA?A?hrung in die Lehre vom Vid (Wissen) des Ayu (Leben). Der Doc sieht aus wie aus einem Sri-Lanka-Bildband: asketische Gestalt, markante GesichtszA?A?ge, eisgraues Haar. Und ganz traurige Augen hat er, da passt es gut, dass er erst einmal seufzt: Ayurveda erklA?A?ren? UnmA?A?glich! Nach 35 Jahren Berufserfahrung kA?A?nne er vielleicht die GrundzA?A?ge der Lehre beschreiben, mehr nicht: ,Jeder Mensch hat ein bestimmtes VerhA?A?ltnis der drei Lebensenergien Vata, Pitta und Kapha in sich. Ist dieses VerhA?A?ltnis gestA?A?rt, wird er krank. Ayurveda versucht, das ursprA?A?ngliche Gleichgewicht wiederherzustellen.” Er seufzt noch einmal, als wisse er nicht genau, was er mit mir anfangen soll. Weil ich aber nun schon mal da bin, stellt er mir Fragen zu meinem Befinden.

Dann misst er fA?A?r eine Minute den Puls und diagnostiziert: “Sie sind ein Kapha-Typ, davon ist am meisten in Ihnen. Vom Moment, als Sie aus dem Mutterleib kamen, bis zu jenem Tag, an dem man Sie sechs FuA?A? tief unter die Erde schaufelt.” Und das bedeutet? Der Arzt schaut traurig. “Sie sind ein wenig behA?A?big. Bleiben lieber sitzen, als zu laufen. Nehmen sehr schnell sehr viel zu. Sind maA?A?los beim Essen. Beim Trinken auch. Und auch beim . . .” Stopp! Es reicht! Was tun wir dagegen? Die Antwort wird von einem besonders traurigen Blick untermalt: “Man kann nichts dagegen tun. Sie sind und bleiben Kapha. Zurzeit sind Sie allerdings ziemlich aufgedreht, weil das Vata auA?A?er Kontrolle ist. Das dA?A?mpfen wir. Ansonsten lassen wir alles, wie es ist.”

In meinem Fall geht das Vata-DA?A?mpfen wie folgt: Zuerst wird mein Kopf massiert, bis ich es tief drinnen im Hirn knacksen hA?A?re. AnschlieA?A?end wird etwa ein Barrel A?a??l in meinen KA?A?rper geknetet. Und dann muss ich raus auf einen Steinweg, zum Umherwandeln. Ein bA?A?ser Architekt hat Zehntausende Kiesel in den Boden einfA?A?gen lassen, die alle mit ihrer spitzen Seite nach oben schauen. Das Umherwandeln tut hA?A?llisch weh, was mich aufregt und eigentlich kontraindiziert sein mA?A?sste. Aber die werden schon wissen, was sie tun – oder mich tun lassen.

Wie der FuA?A?weg ist die komplette Anlage nach ayurvedischen Gesichtspunkten gebaut. Die Pfade zwischen Blumen und Palmen beispielsweise folgen verwirrenden Kurven, damit sich die GA?A?ste auf den Weg konzentrieren mA?A?ssen und so den Stress vergessen, den sie zurA?A?cklieA?A?en, als sie hierherkamen. Am rundlich geschwungenen Pool, den ich mit Geborgenheit assoziiere, liegt ein deutsches PA?A?rchen. Er liest ihr aus dem “Herrn der Ringe” vor. Ich bin sicher, dass sie lA?A?ngst eingeschlafen ist.

Wie ein Fantasy-Roman hA?A?rt sich auch die Geschichte des Unternehmens an, in dessen Resort unser Feintuning A?A?berholt wird. Asoka Hettigoda erzA?A?hlt sie, Tochter des Chefs, eine zierliche, quirlige Frau, deren ayurvedischer Dreiklang ihr offenbar ein Charisma bis knapp unter die Haarwurzeln beschert . Asoka erzA?A?hlt, wie ihr UrurgroA?A?vater auf der Suche nach Weisheit in den Himalaja pilgerte. Wie er dort einen Yogi traf, der ihm die Rezeptur eines heilenden Balsams anvertraute. Wie der Yogi prophezeite, UrurgroA?A?vater werde ein VermA?A?gen mit dem Balsam verdienen. Zum Dank solle er die HA?A?lfte des Gewinns an die Armen geben. Asoka erzA?A?hlt, wie die Hettigodas seitdem 50 Prozent aus dem VerkaufserlA?A?s jenes Balsams spenden. Bis heute.

Sollte man ihre Geschichte fA?A?r eine zauberhaft gewebte Firmenlegende halten und diese A?A?berlegung versehentlich offen aussprechen, dann packt einen Anoka ins Auto und fA?A?hrt A?A?ber StraA?A?en voller Menschen, hupender Autos und auf dem Mittelstreifen meditierender KA?A?he hinaus nach Mount Lavinia. Dort haben die Hettigodas ein Ayurveda-Krankenhaus gebaut. Die Behandlung ist fA?A?r alle kostenlos. “Das hat der Yogi damals gemeint”, sagt sie und beginnt, mit jedem Patienten im Wartezimmer zu plaudern. Wie gut, dass ich behA?A?biger Kapha-Typ bin, der lieber gemA?A?tlich rumsitzt und zuhA?A?rt als aufgeregt auf spitzen Steinen zu wandeln.

Die Sprache der Einheimischen klingt A?A?brigens, als kA?A?men aus dem Mund Murmeln gerollt, ganz viele und ganz schnell, ein ganzer Sack voll bei jedem Satz. Lustigerweise sieht die Schrift auch so aus: Viele knubbelige, runde Kringel purzeln neben- und A?A?bereinander Richtung Satzende. Und erst die Namen! “Belimal, Ashwaganda Arishtaya, Dasamoola Ariwaya”. Was sich fA?A?r europA?A?ische Ohren wie eine BeschwA?A?rungsformel anhA?A?rt, sind die Zutaten fA?A?r den Cocktail des Abends, den “Herbal Dream”. Balan Pushpendran mixt ihn, der Chefkoch des Resorts. Mittags und abends taucht er am BA?A?fett auf und kontrolliert, wer was isst, denn Kapha-Menschen wie ich brauchen natA?A?rlich andere Speisen als Pitta-Wesen. Wenn Balan merkt, dass es einem schmeckt, lA?A?dt er fA?A?r den nA?A?chsten Morgen zum Ayurveda-Kochkurs in seine KA?A?che ein. Da lernt man dann, dass CurryblA?A?tter gut gegen einen hohen Cholesterinspiegel sind, scharfe Chilis dagegen keinen positiven Effekt haben. Die ayurvedische KA?A?che macht kein groA?A?es Geheimnis um ihre Kunst: vegetarisch, ein Curry als Basis, variiert mit GemA?A?sen und immer wechselnden GewA?A?rzen. “Zimt!”, ruft Balan, sei ganz wichtig fA?A?r seine Kreationen und auf Deutsch so ein schA?A?nes Wort. Er mischt den Zimt in ein Okra-Curry und reicht einen ProbierlA?A?ffel weiter. Himmlisch!

Das ist das Besondere an einem Aufenthalt im “Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health Resort”: Man darf, ach was, man soll hinter die Kulissen schauen. In Balans KA?A?che, in den KrA?A?utergarten und in die Fabrik der Hettigodas, in der 1500 Angestellte aus 800 verschiedenen KrA?A?utern ayurvedische Produkte herstellen, die ihnen landesweit fast 3000 Zulieferer lastwagenweise herankarren. Dr. Weerasingha ist 87 und so etwas wie der Spiritual Rector des Unternehmens. In der Hand hA?A?lt er ein Curryblatt und sagt mit leiser Stimme: “Sehen Sie sich dieses Blatt genau an! Haben Sie es betrachtet?” Habe ich, es ist ein Curryblatt, eindeutig. Das stimme, sagt Dr. Weerasingha, aber natA?A?rlich sei Blatt nicht gleich Blatt. “Zu welcher Jahreszeit wurde es gepflA?A?ckt? FrA?A?h morgens oder in der Mittagshitze? In welcher Klimazone stand der Strauch? Wie alt war er? Nein, sagt er, man kA?A?nne nicht einfach ein beliebiges Curryblatt nehmen und es zusammen mit 54 anderen Substanzen zu einem MassageA?A?l verarbeiten. “Es gibt sehr detaillierte, bis zu 3000 Jahre alte Vorschriften zu diesem Blatt. Und Ihr im Westen bietet Kurse an, in denen man Ayurveda A?A?bers Wochenende lernen kann.” Dr. Weerasingha keckert leise. Dann verabschiedet er sich und schlurft zurA?A?ck ins BA?A?ro. Sein Lachen bleibt noch ein paar Sekunden in der Luft hA?A?ngen. Es vermischt sich mit dem Geruch von Tamarinde und Nelken.

Im Resort wartet der traurig dreinblickende Ayurveda-Arzt auf mich. Er misst den Blutdruck und scheint sehr zufrieden zu sein. Offensichtlich haben wir dieses aufmA?A?pfige Vata in seine Schranken gewiesen. Wie lange ich denn noch bleiben sollte?, mA?A?chte ich wissen. Er nickt und verschreibt weitere Massagen, WandelgA?A?nge und BA?A?der. Und er ermahnt mich: “Zwischen den Behandlungen machen Sie bitte nichts. Keine Interviews. Keine Recherchen. A?A?berhaupt nichts.” Er ahnt, was ich antworten mA?A?chte, und bevor ich ein Wort rausgebracht habe, wird er kategorisch: “Nein! Das Notebook bleibt aus. Achten Sie lieber auf die Stille. HA?A?ren Sie auf das Rascheln der Palmen, lauschen Sie dem Meer, lernen Sie, die Vogelarten auseinanderzuhalten! Und zA?A?hlen Sie die BlA?A?tter des Bodhibaumes A?A?ber der Badewanne!” Und wenn ich schon weiA?A?, dass es 87 sind? Er lA?A?chelt milde. “Ich bin sicher, dass Sie sich verzA?A?hlt haben.”

erschienen am 17. November 2007
Quelle:
Hamburger Abendblatt

Lahugala nr. Arugambay

On the northern edge of the Lahugala National Park are the ruins of a substantial ancient temple now called Magul Mahavihara. This temple is worth a visit not only because of its particularly attractive forest setting but also because the image shrine, the Bodhi Tree and the stupa are all in a good state of preservation. Magul Mahavihara is approached by a causeway across a beautiful lotus filled reservoir which surrounds the whole complex. As you enter the main gate through the solidly built wall that surrounds all the buildings you will see on the left the remains of a small shrine with an unusual moonstone at its entrance. The elephants on this moonstone all have riders on their backs, something unseen in all other Sri Lankan moonstones. The stupa is built on a high terrace with three staircases leading up to it. There are impressive lion guardians at the top of the stairs. These and all the other ruins at Lahugala are all surrounded by peaceful forest which makes a visit to the place a most enjoyable experience.

Order mircette kariva Cheap ralista side How To Get There

Lahugala is 2 km off the main Monoragala A?a??a?? Pottuvil road some 5 km from Potuvil.

CopyrightA?A? Ven. S Dhammika

source:
http://www.buddhistravel.com/index.php?id=60,512,0,0,1,0

Award nominee Arugam Bay

High profile international recognition for Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay short listed for the Best Destination Responsible Tourism Award at the World Travel Market in UK
How much prazosin will kill you

Arugam Bay has been selected as one of three finalists for the Best Destination award at the World Travel Market World Responsible Tourism Award. WTM Responsible Tourism Awards is now in the fourth year and this is the first time that a Sri Lankan tourism establishment has been recognized. Arugam Bay and whole of Sri Lanka will benefit tremendously from this rare and most prestigious recognitionA?a??A?.

The aim of the awards is to recognise individuals, companies and organisations in the travel industry that are making a significant commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and are providing a positive contribution to biodiversity conservation. All together there are 13 award categories. The Best Destination Award is given for a resort, village or an entire country that manages tourism well for the long-term benefit of tourists, conservation and local people.

The Responsible Tourism Partnership (RTP) submitted the application for Arugam Bay on behalf of the tourism community and the people of Arugam Bay and the NGOs who have been actively working rebuilding livelihoods promoting community tourism efforts. The application was submitted in association with the Sewalanka Foundation , Arugam Bay Tourism Association and ICEI in Arugam Bay.

For 2007 awards, over 1700 nominations from members of the public and from over 400 tourism organisations and individuals were received. Arugam Bay was initially long listed as one of 15-20 organisations for each of the 13 award categories and thereafter short listed for the final round.

More Information
Charmarie Maelge
Director/CEO RTP 0773251088.

source:
http://www.responsibletourismsrilanka.org/whats_new.html

Buy phexin 750 PS>:
The New Forest in the UK won this award.
Good try for Arugam Bay – but as a desirable tourist product Arugam Bay needs a few improvements

Verugal, the new tourism site in the East

The thirty year old war waged by the LTTE had been a major obstacle to the development of the Eastern province. This is the reality that confronts anyone visiting the region.

Agriculture and fisheries are the two main livelihood activities of the people. However, the region is also rich in other resources as well, waiting to be made use of to launch industrialization to generate employment and alternative sources of income to the people.

Trincomalee with an area of 2727 square kilometers, has one of the best beaches in the world, extending over a distance of 80 kilometers. The natural harbour, hot water springs, Koneswarar Rock, Kodiyar Gulf, Arugam Bay which is world famous for wind surfing, Pasikuda, Nilaweli beach, the Kumana Bird Sanctuary – one could go on and on enumerating the attractions of this region. This region had been a tourism venue which suffered due to the war.

Seroquel for sale online

Despite the many tourist attractions the Trincomalee region offered, it could be seen that sustained efforts under a master plan for investment had not been launched. After the East was cleared of LTTE terrorists under the governmentA?a??a??s on-going humanitarian operations to restore normal life to the people of the East, it is heartening to note that the authorities are now drawing up plans to exploit the inherent potential of the East.

Cost of suprax suspension

A SCOPP team which visited Trincomalee and its environs recently to assess the humanitarian needs of the people was able to find many areas that could be turned into veritable local and foreign tourist destinations.

Of particular interest is the coastal village of Verugal. Divisional Secretary Uma Maheswaran told us that around 3,000 people had been displaced by the war from Verugal. The government has now resettled most of them and the process is due to be completed by the end of this month. He said that around 1,000 houses in the village were damaged and temporary shelters have been provided to the resettled families complete with basic amenities. Buried mines are a major problem and Mr.Maheswaran said that they hoped to complete the de-mining operations by October this year.

The Verugal beach defies description due to its breathtaking beauty. It could somewhat be compared with the famous Marina Beach in Chennia, India.

The LTTE had their Voice of Tigers clandestine radio station located at Verugal straddling a Stupa. The Security Forces eliminated the Tiger presence during their humanitarian operation. However, stone inscriptions found at the temple remain intact. There are also several caves around the stupa.

It has been said that the famous Indian Emperor Raja Raja Chola was hidden in Sri Lanka until he could claim his kingdom. According to some historical sources, Buddhist monks trained him and prepared him to ascend the throne. Tamil Buddhists are said to have lived in the Eastern province in large numbers and it could be assumed that they helped in conserving the Buddhist places of worship found in this region.

Fishing is the main livelihood activity of these people and coupled with tourism, it could be transformed into a potent force with beneficial effects on the people who had suffered the ravages of war and terrorism.

Improved transport facilities would be available to the region when the government completes the Pulmodai – Verugal highway project linked to the main Trincomalee-Batticaloa highway.

The 700-million rupee China Bay – Kinniya Bridge, the Thambalgamam main road, the 50-million rupee Yan Oya – Pudawaikattu – Pulmodai highway as well as the Polonnaruwa – Trincomalee highway would underpin major tourism development initiatives in the East.

In Batticaloa, there is a boat building yard at Ondachchi within the Kaluwanchikudy Divisional Secretarial area, operated by the Sri Lanka Solidarity Organization. 90 per cent of the employees at this facility are women, including widows – all of them found living below the poverty line. A similar facility could be set up in Verugal where once the fishing industry thrived. Educated youths, both male and female, could be found in significant numbers in Verugal. The SCOPP team found about 100 widows in this village. All of them were eager to earn a living through hard work. This desire could be tapped to advantage by setting up a boat yard and also an institution to teach them deep sea fishing. Empowering women in this area would serve as a bulwark against terrorism and any future subversive activity.

A different kind of displacement had also taken place due to the war – a large number of unclaimed cattle and buffaloes have made Verugal their home. The government is currently engaged in efforts to bring these animals together and a committee has been appointed for this task. These livestock could form the nucleus of a cottage dairy industry of women, providing nutrition and also an avenue of income.

The beaches in the East are rich in mineral sands and shells. They could be used as inputs for industries producing bulbs, insulators, glass, ceramics and also cement. Regional small industries based on the resources could be set up under the Eastern Revival programme of the Government.

The Ministry of Investment Promotion has said that the sea areas in the East would be transformed into tourist zone under the accelerated 180 day plans for Eastern Revival. There are also moves to attract large scale investment, for local and foreign, to help sustain development of the East. The Director General of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka has announced new incentives and tax concessions to encourage investments in the Eastern province.

The people of the East have now been freed from the clutches of the LTTE, enabling them live their lives as they please without obeying the dictates of unscrupulous elements. Already, a transformation could be seen taking place in the East with several development projects being launched in the region. Some activity is short term with immediate benefits while others are long terms plans conceived and implemented with the future generations in mind. It is the Tamil speaking people of the East who will be the immediate beneficiaries of these activities.

source:
http://lrrp.wordpress.com/2007/11/10/verugal-the-new-tourism-site-in-the-east/

AbaY Eco – Guides at WTM

A three member delegation from the ‘Community Based Eco-Guide Association’ (CEGA) of Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka will be in London to participate at this year’s World Travel Market to be held at ExCel from November 12 to 17. They will be joining the Sri Lanka delegation under the theme of ‘sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka’, which is a part of the current theme of WTM. ‘Green Globe’ is the main theme of WTM this year.

The launch of ‘Community Based Eco-Guide Association’ (CEGA) ,CEGA website and their marketing programmes was held in Colombo recently under the giudence of Sri Lanka Tourism Authority and Chairman Renton de Alwis. The launching ceremony was held at the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, Hotel School.

Purchase betapace manufacturer

The launching of CEGA, its web site and marketing programmes are a turning point of Arugam Bay Tourism history, as CEGA is the pioneer model Community Based Tourism Project to be developed and launch in Arugam Bay in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. The CEGA has been formed in to 13 Eco-Guide Members and 15 other community based organizations and cooperatives based in Pottuvil, during a Community-Based Ecotourism Project implemented by the Institute for International Economic Cooperation (ICEI) in partnership with Sewa Lanka Foundation and funded by Italian Cooperation and Regione Lombardia. Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation is responsible in training of CEGA guides and promoting marketing in CEGA tourism projects based in Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka.

Welcoming the Special Guests to the occasion, Giuseppe Busalacchi, Project Leader, ICEI, stated that the Vision of ICEI is to promote income-generating activities related to community-based tourism for the sustainable development of local communities through environmental conservation and the enhancement of cultural heritage. He further said, the specific Objectives of ICEI of the Arugam Bay Community Based Ecotourism Project is to promote a community based eco-tourism, in a participatory approach, able to value community local culture, to ensure environmental sustainability and to generate and distribute benefit fairly among the community members, in Arugam Bay-Pottuvil Division-of Ampara District.

Addressing the event, the Chief Guest, Renton de Alwis, Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourist Board, remarked, ‘I must thank SLEF, Sewalanka Foundation and ICEI for developing a model Community Based Ecotourism Project in Arugam Bay, the eastern province of Sri Lanka, which some of us failed to do that on our own. It is important to note that not the community can benefit from tourism but how tourism could benefit from community. It’s really a philosophy. In any sense, good tourism must be sustainable, what ever we do in tourism, it should be sustainable. He noted the promoters of the CEGA Project have given the nets for the community but not the fish. He noted the programme for the tourism promotion in the east is two fold. Apart from the hotel property promotions in the east the Sri Lanka Tourist Board is very much interested in promoting ‘home stays’ that perfectly fit with the community based tourism concepts.’

Presenting the CEGA Marketing Programme, Palitha Gurusinghe, President, Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF) and the Coordinator, Advisory Panel of the Community Based Tourism appointed by the Ministry of Tourism said ‘ Today, Community Based Tourism is one of the well debated topics. The Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation which pioneered this concept in its real perspective, promoted the same as the main component of ecotourism since 1998. We are happy to note that SLEF has gone so far to date, in promoting and developing not only the concept but ‘real’ community based ecotourism enterprises’ (CBEs) in Sri Lanka. He further observed ‘I am very happy to note the Minister of Tourism has appointed an ‘Advisory Panel to look in to the CBO projects in Sri Lanka, which are on going and future potential projects as well’.

He noted that ‘ICEI-Sewalanka-SLEF Project in Purchase tenormin online Arugam Bay is very productive for Sri Lanka Tourism and thanked ICEI and Sewalanka Foundation headed by Harsha Kumara Nawaratne, the Chairman, Sewalanka Foundation, for their great contribution in moving the project ahead. Jagath Harshana, Coordinator, Tourism Division, Sewalanka Foundation proposed the Vote of Thanks.

source:
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/071111/TV/tv-times000017.html

Jessica Leas Vision

Filming Mangroves

Used static caravans for sale yorkshire dales Gayani, Dr. Lionel and I went east with Peter from Diokonie and Monfrie and Elke, filmmakers that Diokonie commissioned to do a short (very short, 5-10 minutes) documentary on the mangrove project in Panama. Click here to see an example of their previous work.

Donors crack me up. Originally they were going to go with us in a Sewalanka vehicle. It is actually good for me that they chose to take their own vehicle, otherwise there would not have been room for me (or that is the story I would have been told, but you will see that this would not have actually been true). The reason for taking a separate vehicle is that Sewalanka’s vehicles were determined too uncomfortable. Sewalanka does actually have some very nice vehicles in their fleet, but only certain people have the pleasure of using those vehicles. Now the vehicle we used would have actually been slightly uncomfortable if everyone was in it as there are only air conditioning vents in the front and the only windows that open are at the front two rows of seats (it has four rows). Thus, those of us relegated to the back would be quite hot.

So it was actually reasonable that Diokonie wanted to use their own, fancy, white SUV. Unfortunately, these SUV’s not only suck up quite a bit of fuel, but are also very particular about their fuel. About half way to Arugambay they needed more petrol and apparently did not receive 100%. Thus, their vehicle could only go for 20 minutes and then it needed to rest for 30 minutes while the particles in the petrol settled. Well, Argumabay is very far away and it was decided this just wasn’t going to work, so everyone loaded up into the Sewalanka vehicle to finish out the trip. Magically I did not get left on the roadside for space considerations. I was (as implied above) relegated to the very back seat, by myself, with a pile of luggage. I don’t want to sound like a whiny foreigner, but I will anyway. I do have this torn disk in my neck so it is really starting to irritate me that I always end up in the back seat. This means I get the brunt of the bouncing and these roads are not smooth by any stretch of the imagination. So my neck really, really hurt all week long (it is better today, so maybe I didn’t do any permanent damage).

Anyway, we made it to Arugambay and Ranga had some string hoppers waiting for us (Ranga runs the Beach Hut, which is basically where all NGO and INGO staff stay when in Arugambay as he is the best cook around). This made me happy even though it had taken us 14 hours to get to Arugambay. I’m regularly told it takes seven, but I have never made it in seven. I knew it would take a little longer due to the increased security and we added some time with the SUV issues, but still, twice as long!

The film crew had very specific ideas of what they wanted to capture, which is good because otherwise we would have wasted a lot of time seeing little pet projects of Dr. Lionel. Anyway, first order of business was to get to Panama, where the project takes place. This is the village next to Arugambay, so not a major feat, except the lagoon had flooded due to the recent rains and the road was washed out. Flooded to the exact height of the wheel of our Sewalanka vehicle, which unlike the fancy INGO white SUVs does not have the plastic tubbing on the tailpipe so that you can drive through water. Thus, we put the car in neutral and pushed it about half a kilometer to the other side of the lagoon. When I say we, I mean our driver (Pyas — in picture testing depth of water) Peter, the film crew and myself. Yep, Dr. Lionel did not help. I wasn’t so surprised that Gayani didn’t as women in Sri Lanka [warning: enormous generalization about to be written] tend to go the frail route, but Dr. Lionel is not so old that he couldn’t try to be some assistance. Afterwards, and yes I am terribly offended by this statement, Dr. Lionel said he now knows what help I can provide on trips to the east — I can push the car. I have to say I’ve just about had it with this man!

Anyway, we got to Panama and looked in on the nursery. There were two boats to take us to see the mangroves being replanted on the lagoon. We loaded up film equipment and people and headed out. The film crew were rather funny because they were clearly getting exasperated with people not following directions. I find this funny because it isn’t that people are trying to be irritating, but understanding English with thick German accents when English is your second or in some cases third language, is difficult. Anyway, they got what they wanted on the boats and we went to see the ladies planting.

In Panama the planting is done mostly by women. In the other village we went to (without film crew), the men do the planting. The difference — Panama is Sinhala and the other village is Tamil. Anyway, they filmed the ladies planting and interviewed them.

I am a little worried I somehow irritated the filmmakers. Once we hit land we were standing around and they were setting up so I was taking photos. When they were done setting up I walked away from the group and just stood there, trying to stay out of the way. Anyway, Elke was telling everyone to be quiet for the filming and then she singled me out and said, “Jessica, no photos.” Not in a mean way (although Germans do have a hard time sounding nice), but I still felt like I missed something. Every time on the boat when they began filming I stayed quiet and I sat on their boat just so their film wouldn’t have me in it. I mean I was working very hard at staying behind the scenes and not getting in the way. There is the possibility that she mentioned me by name because she could remember my name and it was clear she was having problems with the Sinhala names (I totally understand as I’m awful with names too).

Anyway, they got their interviews and film and we went down to another planting location and filmed another group of women.

Then they wanted to climb this rock to get a nice overview of the scene. This took an extraordinary amount of time, but I assume it was successful. We went back into the village for lunch (it was around 4 p.m. by this point so we were starving) and they set up a little community meeting to be filmed. I sat inside the house to stay out of the shot, so I can’t provide specifics of the meeting, but it sounded from inside like they were really discussing things (although it was technically a fake meeting, just organized for the filming).

The village kindly offered a tractor to pull us back across the lagoon. The following day the village broke through the lagoon wall that separates the lagoon from the ocean and let the extra water flow out to sea. Elke and Monfrie told us that night that once the water was released they counted eight crocodiles sitting in the lagoon. The lagoon we walked through the day before pushing a car!

On Wednesday the filmmakers wanted to go back to Panama and film in the village, but Dr. Lionel really wanted Peter to see the other village. So we broke up — I went with Peter and Dr. Lionel. Gayani did not drink enough the day before (hydrate or die people!) and thus was in bed all day with a headache. This was a problem as she was sort of the star of the film the day before, explaining things, translating, etc. and without her this meant a hole in the film. Anyway, apparently the dealt with it o.k. and it all worked out on their end.

In the Tamil village the mangrove plants in the nursery were much healthier and way taller. No one could explain why this was (Peter asked a couple of times and people acted as if they did not understand him). The fishermen prepared two small boats for us and we rowed down the lagoon in the rain. I don’t think Pieter really felt this was necessary, and as these were boats fashioned after traditional boats — read extremely small, it was not the most comfortable ride. I enjoyed it because without a motor we were able to see many birds. Of course, it was raining, so no photos were taken.

When we got back to shore there was a traditional wooden boat sitting on the ground and all the fishermen told us how much better that type of boat was compared with the fiberglass boats they all use now that were given to them by various INGOs (names stamped on the side just so we know who gave what). So I asked, how they used to acquire their boats and they answered that they made them. I don’t understand this. It has been almost three years since the tsunami — if they don’t like the boats they were given, why haven’t they replaced them with the type they used to make for themselves anyway. Not to mention that the shoreline is littered with these old wooden boats and some of them are still seaworthy. The real problem is that the tsunami relief process has created a serious problem in Sri Lanka — now everyone just expects whatever they want to be handed to them. It really is a huge problem. I don’t even work for an INGO, yet every time I go to Arugambay someone asks me for something. Generally it is not a necessity and usually the person asking is absolutely not in need (I imagine some of the hoteliers most likely make more money than me).

O.k. end of tirade (for now). Gayani and I were supposed to return to Colombo on Wed., but because filming was not completed on Tuesday, we stayed an extra day. We got back to Arugambay early Wednesday afternoon and Peter thought he’d get to write a few e-mails, but Dr. Lionel would not stop talking to him. Luckily, cell phones were turned back on at some point and this kept Dr. Lionel busy for a bit, so hopefully Peter got some work done.

Yep, in response to the attack in Yala the government turned off all cell phone coverage in the east. Because I’m sure cell phones are the Tigers only means of communication. Phone service was disabled for two weeks, but if you ask anyone in the east they will say they had no phones for one to two months, depending on the person. I found the lack of coverage blissful, but I guess if I had to deal with it for the full two weeks I would not have been as happy.

Thursday we drove back to Colombo. For some reason, Dr. Lionel felt we should all travel together until the turn off to Andurandapuran. Dr. Lionel decided he would accompany the Germans to see another project they are funding. We were all invited, but there wasn’t space in their vehicle for another person and Gayani wasn’t interested in going, so I didn’t go either. I’m not sure why, but Dr. Lionel rode with us until the turn-off. I think it was just to not allow me the front seat in the car as long as possible. Clearly I have issues.

Purchase xalatan generic name Around 2 p.m., long after deserting the Germans, we started to look for food. My thoughts on food while you travel here are that you eat what you can find. Gayani wanted rice and curry and you would think this wouldn’t be a problem, yet it was. Many places only had fried rice and this, apparently, was unacceptable. So we didn’t eat until 3 when we found some rice and curry for Gayani. I have to say that Gayani isn’t the easiest person to travel with what with the preventable sickness and the picky eating habits.

And now I’m back in Boralesgamuwa. Today was basically uneventful. Harshana finally got his visa to England (he was supposed to leave Sunday, but has now rescheduled to Tuesday). I am really happy for him, but a little sad because if he hadn’t received the visa we would be using the grant money to go to Bali to study community based tourism there. Since England is so expensive the grant that was for two will only be used for one and I’m left in the cold. At least in this case I agree as Harshana did have far more to do on the Arugambay project than I and thus should reap the rewards. He promised to bring me a jar of lemon curd so I’ll be happy with that.

source:
http://expatwithelephants.blogspot.com/2007/11/filming-mangroves.html

Building Hotels in the East ..

By Paul Tighe
Order zyvox patient

Nov. 8 (Bloomberg) — Sri Lanka’s army and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam fought near the northern city of Jaffna as President Mahinda Rajapaksa vowed in his annual budget speech to “eradicate” terrorism in the South Asian island nation.

At least 52 LTTE fighters were killed when the army stopped an advance at Muhamalai, the Defense Ministry said on its Web site late yesterday. The LTTE said 16 soldiers were killed when army units attacked its positions, TamilNet reported.

The Tamil Tigers have “demonstrated that they will never be ready to surrender arms and agree to a democratic political settlement,” Rajapaksa told Parliament. “In this background, we have no alternative but to completely eradicate terrorism.”

The LTTE, which is fighting for a separate homeland, controls areas in the north after being driven from the eastern region by the army in July. Sri Lanka’s military stepped up attacks on LTTE bases in the north and targeted its naval unit, including destroying its last weapons-smuggling vessel since capturing the Eastern Province.

The 24-year-long conflict has resulted in the deaths of more than 70,000 people. Fighting intensified as two attempts at peace talks in Geneva failed last year.

Soldiers are in control of LTTE bunkers at Muhamalai, the Defense Ministry said, adding that 11 servicemen were killed in the fighting yesterday.

LTTE forces repulsed the army’s attack, TamilNet cited Irasiah Ilanthirayan, the LTTE’s military spokesman, as saying. As many as 100 soldiers were wounded, he added.

During the past year, the government has stopped the rebels’ arms smuggling operations, targeted their illegal fundraising activities and curbed their overseas operations, Rajapaksa said in his speech.

Air Base

The Tamil Tigers showed they are unwilling to seek peace by attacking an airbase in the northeast last month, Rajapaksa said. The LTTE said members of its “Black Tiger” unit used for suicide missions raided the base on Oct. 22. Eight aircraft and helicopters were destroyed, the military said.

“Despite the armed strengths and the brutal actions of terror, we were able to rescue the entire Eastern Province,” the president said.

The government has said it is seeking $1.8 billion in aid for the region. Redeveloping the three eastern districts, after 24 years of fighting, will add 2 percentage points to economic growth, the government estimates.

Building hotels in Batticaloa, Ampara and Trincomalee will open up the 462-kilometer (287-mile) coastline of white sands, surf and palm trees to tourists. The government also plans to hold elections in the province next year.

Defense Spending

Sri Lanka needs to keep defense spending at 3.5 percent of gross domestic product and find a “lasting solution” to the conflict with Tamil rebels, Rajapaksa said.

“The fight against terrorism is not a fight against the Tamil people,” Rajapaksa said. “It is our duty to and responsibility to protect and preserve the democratic rights of Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese in all parts of the island.”

The rebels say any peace agreement must be based on a separate homeland. Tamils made up 11.9 percent of the population, according to the 2001 census, the government’s Census and Statistics Department said. Sinhalese make up almost 74 percent of Sri Lanka’s 20 million people.

The government has rejected a settlement that divides the country and is offering to devolve power to some provinces.

To contact the reporter on this story: Paul Tighe in Sydney at Order isoniazid pronunciation ptighe@bloomberg.net

source:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601091&sid=aNv8jI_zOWus&refer=india