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Sri Lanka TeleCON

Published on 04/01/2008 in From our own Correspondent, front page, Money Matters and services. 7 Comments
Don’t Surf too much when you visit Silly Lanka!
!!! Be Warned !!!
!!! Be Warned !!!
Sri Lanka TeleCoN’s “Prepaid” Services hide Huge Hidden Charges!
The above adverts, also printed on the prepaid cards themselves, create the impression of good, manageable, consumer controllable Internet connections. Island wide.
The actual TELEPHONE (modem access to the server) charges, however are NOT included!! Only when bills arrive, the customer might realize that the whole thing actually will cost you 10x more than mentioned.
This is because calls to access numbers such as 1289 and 1250 are charged at 3Rs./ Minute.
Correctly stated, it should read:

12hrs.: = 2,360Rs./ (not Rs.200Rs./-)
30hrs.: = 5,900Rs./ (not Rs.500Rs./-)
60hrs.: = 11,800Rs./ (not Rs.1,000./-)


In other, civilized Countries this would be seen to be a Consumer FRAUD and nasty deception of the poor, uneducated public.
Worse still, Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) service is terribly slow, unreliable and the lines drop frequently:
Resulting in extra costs.
And more HUGE profits to SLT.

None of arugam.info‘s letters to SLT on this subject have ever been answered by super ‘efficient’ Sri Lanka Tele-CON.
Since June, 2007 we dispute about 70,000Rs./!

(This is because we had to give up our broadband connection and Community Internet Centre in April, 2007. Since then we are reduced to ancient, slow and as we only found out now: Ultra expensive modem operations. A step back into last Century’s technology: Back to AbaY in 1999 to be precise)

Buy diakof sirop

“tri anni horribili”

Published on 26/12/2007 in front page. 1 Comment
Around this time, 3 years ago, we were still pretty wet.
But we were united, full of hope and full of confidence.
We even managed a swift and highly efficient self-recovery.

  • We had our very own reliable Early Warning System.
  • The Bay was covered with a high speed WiFi system, free to access by all.
  • We had a good medical clinic thanks to DEMIRA.
  • There was no talk of ‘Tamil’, Muslim or Sinhalese “Area”.
  • Above all, there was no war.
  • All was Then – Not Now.

In our personal experience, the natural flood event 3 years ago was nothing compared with the man made disaster which has unfolded since.

Still, the ‘great’ organizations are content with their ‘impressive’ achievements.
Take a look at two examples, published this week.

  • The Red Crusaders and Half Moonies dwell in glowing reports “From the Field”.
  • https://www.arugam.info/2007/12/25/from-the-field/
  • http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/220224/
  • 31b45032a6112e837bf489cb2a4d2cc1.htm
  • We, the actual victims, had no idea that the guys in plush offices in Colombo 7, such as their grand mansion in Gregory Road, are involved in agriculture Lopid online . But we do know that they tend to send their local staff near -but never actually into – the odd trouble zone. Whilst all ex pats remain near the Happy Hour and the up market ‘Bay Leaf Restaurant opposite on Gregory’s Rd. A excellent location to pretend that IRCS so-called management also do a highly ‘dangerous’ job “In the killing Fields”. This of course is a great tool to justify their high wages and danger allowances.

You can even get it for FREE. They stress. Who the hell would want this silly map, which shows no details at all and doesn’t even mention the hardest hit area Arugam Bay remains their own little secret.
A far better map was produced by the British, 60 years ago and this one is actually useful – but it does cost 75Rs./ at the Ordinance Dept. in Colombo. For this huge amount you actually receive an updated, modern version showing every telegraph pole.

  • Mercy Corps and Oprah Whinfrey are still boasting with the fact that they “changed our lives”.
  • Indeed, they did.
  • But just about everything is much worse than it ever was before in the Bay.
  • No matter. The popular, very clever Show is well in the clear. Financially.
  • Harpo Inc. collected huge sums in the name of Arugam Bay with their 3 shows.
  • A substantial surplus of many Millions was made, even after ‘reaching out’ by signing a cheque for 1 Mill. and walking away from our long term, Mercy Corpse created problems.

How blissful must it be, to be ignorant!

On one side the gullible donors are impressed with glowing and highly inflated claims of achievements.
On the victims side, where nobody has Internet access (Why?? We often wonder??), no one has an idea what is claimed abroad to have been done. In the remote little Bay.
Arugam.info, and also myself are (un-)lucky enough to be able to see and compare both sides.
And as they never seem to match we have seen it as our duty to report – directly from the Field. For three, terrible, long years we did just that.. If we don’t draw attention to this huge fraud, who else is to do so? It got us nowhere. On the contrary, we harmed ourselves and we would have done better to grovel and give in to their financial super power. Earning a few of the morsels they tend to drop to the greedy and their sympathizer’s.

So, who made all the difference?
Answer:
The small, simple, private people.
Exactly the kind of group, the BIG organizations wanted to keep out. Their advice was NOT to take matters into one’s own hand and leave the Tsunami help in their ‘experienced’ and ‘trusted’ hands.
Lucky for the Bay some did not listen and purchased a ticket and came to see, help and do what they could.
If it were not for great guys such as:

  • Nathalie, the party girl, who played with kids. Showed they that someone cared for them.
  • Tom the carpenter, who came with nothing but his tools and belief to assist
  • David le Sueur of Friends of Europe
  • Dutch girls Maria & Hanneke
  • Doc. Martin and DEMIRA,
  • Supem de Silva and the Rotary Club
  • Rasta Neelu and French Frederick
  • Per & Camilla from Danish Villa,
  • Steve of RoccoA?a??a??s fame
  • Members of SLB and Reisespinne
  • Wolfgang, the (then) webmaster
  • N.s.s. Simon, the Bay’s big donor
  • And many more

None of them ever had a vehicle fit for a Minister. Indeed, most relied on Public transport. Surprise, surprise: They all still managed to do a great deal more locally and all over the so-called ‘troubled’ East Coast than any Land Cruiser crew ever did or will do.
Without references to or demands for (non-existing-)danger money.
And all without a weird blue light on top. Or flag behind.

If these highly motivated, educated, critical and informed individuals would have been supported just a little more with some official funds (wasted daily) they are the ones who would really have changed lives to the better.

Instead, the large organizations regarded them as a threat, obstructed and even boycotted many. Most left, sad and demoralized, because they simply could not compete with (empty) promises, flash cars and elaborate lifestyles of the Great ones, which did impress and corrupt the local natives.

Most in the big organizations seem to regard their tasks as just another job. And although they may have started with great intentions they were soon grounded by their own bureaucracy. Only few had the back bone to resign in disgust. Such as Matthias from Koeln and Max Seelhofer, the Swiss Red Cross S.L country chief.
WE salute them all.

And we wish to thank our loyal, critical supporters herewith.
Without all of you great guys I am sure that some of the neck ties dropped of by the Red Cross 3 years ago would have found more than one non-intended use by now.
The US donated toilet rolls, which filled the entire “Hang Loose” Hotel at the time when we had no toilets, however, became useful after all, proving us totally wrong. A good motion.

Let us hope and pray that the next 3 years will not see are repeat performance of this mismanagement and waste of resources!

Below is just one Example.
This what we often see, locally.
Nothing at all has been done, apart from an erected sign!
Or even two…..
Example of Claim:

However, at least one organization had the neck to claim that they ‘completed’ a “Sanitary Project” in Arugam Bay. At huge expense. The trusting donors were content.
But, would they still be happy with their good deed? If they had been given the facts?
If they could have compared this grand “Project” with the REALITY, as below?
Example!

Maybe some of you can understand, why We are NOT happy with what we were forced to observe during the past Three, Terrible Years!

Happy New Year 2008!

Christmas Greetings 2007

Published on 25/12/2007 in From our own Correspondent, front page, Security & Safety and the bay. 0 Comments

Reporting directly from the bright, sunny Bay at Arugam:
Photo taken 25th December, 15:00hrs.:

Arugam Bay looking towards bridge cranes & construction Delivery voltaren

A very Merry Christmas to all of you, our strong supporters of the Bay.
Sadly, we have NO visitors to speak of in the Bay this Christmas.
After all. It is our so-called “Rainy Season”.
It has NEVER been this quiet before.
(Even all the ENJOY’s are absent)

Take a look at this afternoon’s pictures!

A bright, sunny, clear day with mild, European mid-summer temperatures!
And very peaceful, thankfully, too!
Arugam Bay Surf Point, Christmas Day, 2007, 15:00hrs. Generic for cialis

Solid Houses

Published on 19/12/2007 in front page, Ideas, Money Matters and the bay. 11 Comments

Order yougaramdewababa On the event of re-advertised vacancy of project manager (see Comment below), this post is hereby re-published:
Still, there is not one real good development at Arugambay to report.
But, at nearby PottuVille, the Dutch Solid House Foundation is getting on very well with their Tropical Iglu project.
dutch-iglu.JPG

Build to a high standard, mainly for Tamils in a Tamil area, and above all also popular with the locals:
Here we have, at last! a project to be proud of.
Arugam.info regrets that no such brilliant progress has ever been made in the Bay itself – after all How much does prograf cost Arugam is “The hardest hit Community in the whole of Sri Lanka”

2007 Capture Competition

Published on 16/12/2007 in Blogs, From our own Correspondent, front page, Ideas, Money Matters and the bay. 10 Comments

The grand Arugam Bay Order zenegra photo Competition price of 2007 remains unclaimed!
Even a regular visitor to the Bay, having won 2 weeks Free B&B for two in an a/c suite, did not visit the Bay this year. It has never been as quiet as this before!
Order lisinopril hydrochlorothiazide AbHa has decided to extent the offer to redeem for one further year, hoping to welcome brilliant photographer Mr. Philip sometime in 2008.

How about a capture contest?
Below are a few amateur shots, all taken around the same location.
During the past 3 years.

AbHa, trying hard to attract tourists thinks the few photos sum up the “progress” of the past three years rather well, without many words. And show the conflict of interests in the Bay these days.
The winner of the most apt, funny or fitting capture will win a chance to run up and down Arugam Bay beach (just 2km) and try to match the amount of vessels with the slogans painted upon them.
At our expense.
Simply click “Comments” and let us hear your suggestion.

2004 View to Beach

December 2004; a Natural Event

Clean Arugam Bay April 2005

April, 2005. A fine balance is still in place

Outlook 2005

2005: Is this what tourists come to the Bay for?

Outlook Dec. 2007: After NGO

YOUR Suggestions Please!

Boats?

Published on 15/12/2007 in From our own Correspondent, front page, Money Matters and the bay. 0 Comments

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Sinking Ship

Published on 12/12/2007 in From our own Correspondent, front page and the bay. 4 Comments

Don’t worry! This is nothing political, military or New!
The first part of this story relates to the greatest attraction the East Coast has to offer, to any diver.
HMS Hermes Airphoto by japanese pilot

Just North of Generic diovan hct availability Arugam Bay Is there a generic for lamictal the British aircraft carrier HMS Hermes lies in fairly shallow waters. Sunk by Japanese Aircraft at the end of WW2. The carrier was on its way from Trincomalle harbour to Male, Maldives.
A full dive report has already been published on this site; use the search function if you are interested in details.

HMS Hermes sinking off Sri Lanka Coast

The Hermes was once a fine ship.

Hermes Aircraft Carrier in Action

Very much like some good Hotels and Restaurants on the East Coast once were.

Whatever sealed the fate of HMS Hermes 65 years ago has a certain resemblance to the slow death of the entire Hotel industry. Their boats started to sink when a big wave hit them, in 2004. Plenty of help was promised, from all sides – but nothing substantial ever came along to rescue them.
A combination of civil unrest in other parts of the Nation, incompetence by visiting NGO’s and a total lack of finances have resulted in closure of most establishments which managed to stay afloat.

One leading hotelier describes the situation as such:

Ever since 2004 we feel like sitting in a boat, full of holes.
We kept ourselves busy plugging them by whatever means we have – but scooping out the water to stay afloat has been a hard job, left on our own devices.

….to be continued

Private resort in Marawila attacked

Published on 06/12/2007 in front page, Money Matters, press coverage and Security & Safety. 4 Comments

A private sports resort in Marawila was set on fire by an unknown gang early last morning, the management told the Daily Mirror yesterday claiming that it was the second such attack within the past one week forcing it to shut down operations.

Aquarius Sports Resort chairman Dr. Dietmar Doering said that around 15 -20 men stormed the premises on Tuesday at the time a few German and American guests were inside, damaged property and set fire to the place.

A?a??A?On Poya day, just one week ago four rooms of our hotel, which has been leased to a local party, were smashed by the same or a related gang. A driver of a Government Minister from the area had refused to pay a bill and a subsequent fight resulted in the destruction of four of our hotel rooms and two shops in Marawila. Vehicles too were smashed. The total damage was around 15 million rupees. A settlement subsequently resolved the dispute while none of the parties claimed damages from the other party,A?a??A? Mr Doering said.

He said he had now decided to wind up his operations in the country as his life and that of his guests were under threat owing to frequent attacks on his resort.

A?a??A?Law and order is no longer in the hands or in the control of the authorities here. We are in the process of issuing warning notices to European travel trade organisations based on the incidents which happened here last night,A?a??A? he said.

When contacted by the Daily Mirror the Marawila police confirmed that an incident had taken place but refused to divulge further details.

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Sri Lanka a safe destination

Published on 27/11/2007 in front page, people, Security & Safety and weddings. 1 Comment

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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?

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Swiss Red Cross

Published on 26/11/2007 in front page and press coverage. 0 Comments

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Green Lung of Asia

Published on 22/11/2007 in From our own Correspondent, front page, Ideas, Money Matters, people, press coverage, the bay and tuk tuk. 0 Comments

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)

Feathers

Published on 06/11/2007 in From our own Correspondent, front page and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

Arugam.info‘s broken hand phone message seems to have ruffled a few feathers.
As often in Government, one Department does not know what the other does.
Sri Lanka and Colombo appears to be no exception….
Arugam.info is informed that the Himalaya clarina cost Tourist Ministry did not know about the decision of the Military to disconnect communication Purchase indinavir nursing to a peaceful, quiet resort.
The very same one they try so hard to promote: Arugam Bay.
We are informed that the wisdom and strategic necessity of cutting the Bay’s phones off is under review at high level and might lead to a review.

Hopefully, there are no security objections and we shall be online again very soon.
If not:
Anyone out there interested in a pigeon race? Starting at famous AbaY of course.

No Phones

Published on 02/11/2007 in From our own Correspondent, front page, people and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

Arugam.info has received a growing number of enquiries from overseas; people are concerned that they cannot contact their friends and relatives in recent weeks.
There is no case for alarm!
Everything is well. In the Bay.
It is true, however, that all mobile phone networks have been disconnected.
disconnected_cell_phone.jpg Purchase dapoxetine reviews
Also there is no proper, good or reliable Internet in the Bay any more.
Land lines, in general, are working.
Arugam.info understands that the present communication restrictions are not of a technical nature, but aimed at supporting ongoing military operations in the wider (NOT local!!) area.

Should you wish to trace or contact any person in the Arugam Bay or PottuVille area AbHa is again offering our trusted, confidential contact service:

Simply send an email for your desired contact person to us at the mail address below.
WE will always find a way to communicate!
AbHa will deliver your message locally and ask for a feed back / reply /report from the traced person, if so required.
Norvasc price usa letter-delivery.jpg
VisitArugamBay@Gmail.com

AbHa

Published on 13/10/2007 in From our own Correspondent, front page, Ideas, Money Matters, press coverage and the bay. 3 Comments

The neglected Bay is still stuck since 2004!
abha-logo.jpg

AbHa (the original Arugam Bay Hotel Association) is considering:
Where did we go wrong?

Because we have little doubt that:

  1. We represent the interests of the Arugam Bay Hotels, since 1999
  2. Arugam Bay has been, without any doubt, the hardest hit area by the 2004 waves
  3. The sea quake centre was, after all, directly opposite the famous surf Bay
  4. Cheap seroflo Arugam Bay Hotels have, so far, not received any real help or funds to rebuild
  5. Although Millions were collected for cases such as our predicament

    6. Norvasc prices

  6. The hotels suffered most. First 25 years war, than water, than war again
  7. Fishing folk received great help, but they were back in business the next day…
  8. And: Fish prices – a FREE raw product- have increased 4-5 fold since…!??
  9. A great ‘Master Plan’ exists – but little has happened in Arugambay.
  10. Apart from more obstacles and outside interferences. Nothing! Since 2004.

AbHa considers that, overall, this is nothing short of a scandal.
Or part of a very devious mater plan?
Whatever, before we look for faults elsewhere:

Where do you, our supporters and critics, think WE have done wrong?

Perhaps we voiced our objections to the observed waste of donated Millions to openly?
Perhaps we were too undiplomatic in our approach?
(But after all we have gone through we doubt that anyone else would have been more moderate)
Your feed-back and any observation is always most welcome.
Posted right here, as a plain comment or per email to:
VisitArugamBay@gmail.com
And we will publish your full article!

VisitArugamBay@Gmail.com

Published on 01/10/2007 in Blogs, From our own Correspondent, front page, people, press coverage, presse-deutsch, services and the bay. 3 Comments

www.Arugam.info is an open source forum and web site designed for the entire How much doxazosin can i take Arugambay Community. It is our own, local platform to communicate with outside world.
Kevin @ SVH Internet centre
Anyone can comment on this site. Order femcare
Anyone is also invited write a full, front page post or article for all to see.
There is NO censorship or control!
If you have any views with certain relevance to our famous Bay, you are again reminded to contribute!
For guys unfamiliar with wp: You are welcome to send your contribution, be it text or photo, to the email address above and we will publish it for YOU!!
(Please note that www.arugam.info is a non-political, non religious and also totally pacifist site)
Arugam.info webmaster?

High Season?

Published on 03/09/2007 in From our own Correspondent and front page. 1 Comment

It is no secret. Arugam Bay has never, ever been as quiet as this before.
The usual High Season is as good as over – andA?A? nobody to speak of came.
Even so-called die-hard surfers stayed away this year.
No wonder, given (incorrect!) travel warnings by many foreign Governments!
The mini-tourist industry, consisting of a few guest houses and a handful of slightly larger ‘hotels’ has been hit hard – and they received NO HELP Purchase cephalexin 500mg capsule antibiotic or assistance from any official source whatsoever.
First, we had the 30 year ‘war, then we were wiped off by the waves, then we have fresh and more violent hostilities.
It will be a miracle if the small establishments can survive this winter – financially that it.
The hardest hit community in the whole of Sri Lanka has received NOTHING at all, but adverse publicity and tough Government action, such as constant Excise Department Cheapest unlimited calling plan raids.
All this makes it impossible for most to continue the little business they manage to attract in such difficult times.