Archive for the 'press coverage' Category

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Over 100,000 targeted:

Published on 28/06/2009 in Blogs, From our own Correspondent, front page, Money Matters, people, press coverage, services and the bay. 0 Comments
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2009/06/28/new03.asp

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2009/06/28/new03.asp

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Tourism Ministry will launch hotel construction projects at selected locations in the Northern and Eastern Provinces to attract Trileptal generic vs brand Cheap tenormin dosage over 100,000 foreign tourists during 2010.

Deputy Tourism Minister Faizer Mustapha told the Sunday Observer that the ending of the 30-year war and the emergence of peace in the North and the East has encouraged the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Board and private sector hoteliers to recommence their business activities in the region.

a??In addition, several tour group operators will reactivate operations between the South and the North,a?? he said. Referring to the official launch of the new brand for Sri Lanka Tourism at a ceremony, held in Colombo on Tuesday, Deputy Minister Mustapha said the aim of the launch was to position our country as the premier tourist destination in the region.

He said a team of officials was sent to the Northern and Eastern regions to identify suitable locations to construct hotels and to study ways and means to develop tourist attractions.

a??Nilaweli, Arugam Bay and Kuchchaveli in the Trincomalee District are the main places, we have already identified to construct large hotel complexes,a?? he said.

The Minister said the number of tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka from UK, USA, France, the Maldives, Germany, Japan, Russia and Australia will be doubled during the forthcoming season, especially due to the end of the war. Asked about sending local tour groups to the North and East, especially those who have never visited these regions, Minister Mustapha said that priority will be given to promote local tourism in these regions in collaboration with Sri Lanka Tourism.

Surfers off to Aragum, Aragon, Aragoon & also Arugam Bay

Published on 26/06/2009 in Blogs, people, press coverage, surf and the bay. 0 Comments

Around 40 surfers from Cornwall are heading to Sri Lanka for a special UK Pro Surf Tour Champion of Champions contest that starts on 1 July.

Surfers will travel to Aragum Bay, renowned as one of the best point breaks in the world.

The event coincides with a visit from Cornish-based charity ‘Surf Relief’ who are going to revisit projects they have set up in the local community.

Surf Relief was formed in 2005 to help people affected by the Asian tsunami.

UK Pro Surf Tour director Dave Reed said helping rebuild communities affected by the 2004 tsunami and recent civil war is an important part of the trip.

There are a lot more surfers in Sri Lanka now and it has become a very big culture
Dave Reed

“It was questioned as to whether or not we should go back after the tsunami,” Reed told BBC Radio Cornwall.

“But we did because they really wanted to use us a tool to develop the area and show they were still open for business.”

“There was a lot of devastation because of the tsunami, a third of the population of Aragon Bay was actually lost.” Continue reading ‘Surfers off to Aragum, Aragon, Aragoon & also Arugam Bay’

Surfer’s Night @ Arugam

Published on 26/06/2009 in Blogs, Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, From our own Correspondent, front page, Kitesurf, parties, people, press coverage, surf and the bay. 1 Comment
Surf Comp Pre Party
An informal get-together Local surfers meeting the UK professionals Surf Movies on a BIG screen Local Arugam Bay Information evening Draft beers by AbaY Natural Beer Co. Fine …
Details:

http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=101854870893&mid=ae5e88G4c5ed3a7G976a45G7

(1)

Arugam Bay as major tourist resort…..

Published on 25/06/2009 in Blogs, people, press coverage and the bay. 0 Comments

We have ended need for travel advisories that crippled Tourism – President

New target of 2.5 million tourists annually by 2016 2011 declared Visit Sri Lanka Year Buy himcocid suspension

This is a momentous phase for the Tourism Industry. With terrorism defeated after three decades, our people can now travel freely in our motherland. Tourists should have no fear to visit our attractions. And, I believe, we have ended the need for Travel Advisories that crippled Tourism, said President Cheap zenegra canadian Mahinda Rajapaksa in an address to the launch of the new image of Sri Lanka Tourism.

“As we have assisted the Tourism Industry through its most difficult period, I now assure the industry of every effort and all resources to meet a target of 2.5 million tourists by 2016,” he said in a In his digitized address to the event at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Hall, Colombo, yesterday (23).

Referring to the new opportunities for Tourism after the defeat of terrorism, the President said “we can now add Passikudah and Trincomalee, up to Kokilai Lagoon in the East, as major tourist attractions, and many locations in the North too, as part of the “Uthuru Vasanthaya” – the development agenda for the North.”

Here is the text of the President’s address:

No sooner our Motherland was united under our national flag; I invited all who had left the country because of terrorism to return home. Today, I invite visitors from abroad to come to our wonderful country to enjoy its charm and the hospitality of our people.

This is a momentous phase for the Tourism Industry. With terrorism defeated after three decades, our people can now travel freely in our motherland. Tourists should have no fear to visit our attractions. And, I believe, we have ended the need for Travel Advisories that crippled Tourism.

We can now fully use the assets of nature, history and culture for Tourism, to restore its contribution to development.

As we have assisted the Tourism Industry through its most difficult period, I now assure the industry of every effort and all resources to meet a target of 2.5 million tourists by 2016.

While developing Hambantota, Kalpitiya and Arugam Bay as major tourist resorts, we can now add Passikudah and Trincomalee, up to Kokilai Lagoon in the East, and many locations in the North too, as part of the Uthuru Vasanthaya – the development agenda for the North. Continue reading ‘Arugam Bay as major tourist resort…..’

Top UK surfers head to … Arugam Bay

Published on 25/06/2009 in Blogs, people, press coverage, surf and the bay. 0 Comments

24 June 2009
The UK Pro Surf Tour has announced it will be returning to Sri Lanka in July this year for the a??Sri Lanka Champion of Champions Surf Contesta?? at Arugam Bay. Renowned as one of the best a??point breaksa?? in the world, Arugam Bay is situated on the East coast of Sri Lanka, which is now accessible as a result of the recent end to the civil unrest in the country.

The 2009 Championships, which take place on July 1-6, will see 48 surfers fighting it out to become the ultimate champion including some of UKa??s top professional surfers, international stars and local Sri Lankan surfers.

Dave Reed Buy avodart 2.5mg , UK Pro Surf Tour director stated: a??Ita??s good to be going back to Sir Lanka again and we are looking forward to some great waves and seeing world class surfers competing in Arugam Bay Cheap alternative to benzaclin . The competition is a fantastic opportunity for competitors from around the world to discover what I believe to be one of Sri Lankaa??s greatest assets – the excellent surf and spectacular beaches.a??

Commenting on the return of the event, Sanjika Perera, UK & Ireland Director of Tourism – Sri Lanka Tourist Promotion Bureau said: a??The last time the championships were held here was just after the Tsunami in 2005 and they played a crucial role in reviving the area.

a??We are very happy that the UK Pro Surf Tour is returning as this will help to raise awareness of the available tourism opportunities waiting to be discovered on the East coast of the island.a??
http://www.easier.com/view/Travel/Attractions_and_Events/article-256672.html

G. Watt is off to Arugam Bay

Published on 24/06/2009 in Blogs, front page, press coverage and surf. Closed
George Mega Watts Blog

George Mega Watts Blog

Wednesday, 24 June 2009

Arugam Bay Sri Lanka

Off to Sri Lanka on Friday for the Buy antabuse cheap UK Pro Surf Tour Champions of Champions event. Looking forward to surfing in boardies again, got 3/4 days to get used to the wave again and the temperatures before the comp starts, the sea waters like a bath tub over there, cant wait.

Contact, Welcome:

Age: 21 years-old
D.o.b.: September 22nd 1987
Born: Fraserburgh, Scotland
Resides: Inverallochy, Scotland
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 68-70 kg
Career: Student HND Multimedia
Sponsors: Luke Young Surfboards
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George.Watt@hotmail.com

source:

http://georgewatt.blogspot.com/2009/06/arugam-bay-sri-lanka.html

Published on 22/06/2009 in Blogs, front page, people, press coverage, surf and the bay. Closed

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I’ll have the lobster…

The other day we had a birthday on the team, so we surprised Steven with a lobster dinner at a local restaurant. It was 650 rupies…which is about $6 in the US. We also had a local bakery bake a cake (which had the worst frosting I have ever tasted) but it was a great night to all be together, celebrate someone’s life and all that God is doing in and through us!!!

Yesterday we held the first annual Aloha Surf Classic here in Arugam Bay for only local surfers. We worked in conjunction with the Arugam Bay Surf Association (a group of local guys here in town) and the contest was awesome!!! Continue reading ”

New Tourism Coordinator appointed

Published on 21/06/2009 in Blogs, From our own Correspondent, front page, people and press coverage. 4 Comments

Mr. M.I.M Ibrahim Hon. Member of local authority pottuvil-Arugambay has been appointed by Hon Milinda Moragoda, Minister of tourism as coordinator for tourism development project and an activity being carried out in Ampara district by the Sri Lanka tourism development authority from 4th June 2009 the task before him is to develop tourism and tourism activity in this area. As his first assignment he is coordinating the inter national surfing champion ship 2009 (Surfing Aurugambay 2009) schedule to take place from 01st 07th July 2009 will be sponsored by Sri Lanka tourism and co-sponsored by Sri Lankan airlines with the participation of local, authority pottuvill-Arugambay

Mr. Ibrahim

Mr. Ibrahim

Q: Mr. Ibrahim, can you tell arugam.info more about the Surf Contest?

A: I hope this surfing event and beach festival will create awareness among European travelers that the East coast has bounced back for their leisure once again and further it will be a good opportunity to regain and revive our much affected truisms industry. In particular we hope to be able to boost our islanda??s image through the publicity we will receive through top media from UK Cheap seroflo including the BBC who will travel along with British surfers.

Q: What is your history and track record?

A;I have 25 years long experience in the field of tourism and hotel hospitality industry after complains hotel managementA? course I joined holiday inn chain of hotels work in IranA? UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. I also participated in gems and Jewelers promotion to Europe Germany Belgium and Netherlands.

Q: Please tell us more about your plans, views and hopes for the area

A: I prepared a short statement and I’d be happy if you can add it to the interview. Thank you.

Tourism Development at Arugambay

Developing tourism at Arugambay and Eastern province, I wish to mention that Eastern province is having wider region for tourism development area spanning Nillaveli beach to Arugambay beach with rich natural attractions and potentials.

My opinion is with destroying naturea??s Purchase avalide cost gift develop tourism with some improvements without changing ecology of area. I am suggesting the ministry of tourism to declare eastern province as a natural tourism resorts, because we have areas that have an asset form cultural , natural, heritage, conservations, mountains, sand dues , lakes, forest, wild life, parks costal and maries our area concern multi religious, multi cultural, multi ethnic and multi lingual.

Tourism industry makes important contribution to the economy of developing countries particularly to foreign exchange earnings and employments. We have also traditional tourism area Nilaveli beach, Passikkuda and Arugambay beach. But Arugambay is well known destination of green paddy field, forest, wild lifea??s, bird watching, variety of wild life animals and crocodiles.

Pottuvill-Agugambay offers a combination of unique pleasure, perfect niche tourist destination for surfing one of the ten best surfing destination in the world and diving within 15 minutes driving from Arugambgay. Tourist can view elephants at Lahugala, birds and various wild life animals in Kumana Natural Park within 60 minutes driving from Arugambay. I strongly suggest ArugambayA? need sustainable tourism development , because there are enough resources potential, natural environment and best romantic locations, as refers before/earlier we need tourism development that avoid damages to the environment, economy, culture of the locations and eco-system where it take place.

The aim of the sustainable tourism is to ensure that development is a positive experience for local people. Traditional beaches and sight seeing tourism is vital to Sri Lanka communities surrounds the hotels and the other tourism area. Therefore design to empower, engage and financially sustain village communities without compromising their traditional values the tourism to discover local habitats and respect traditional cultures.

Tourism is one of many activates in a community or region that required planning coordination . Planning is the process of identifying objectives and defining and evaluation of methods of resources in the eastern province.

Developing a sustainable tourism industry to Arugambay, gain maximum economic and the other benefits and to meet the challenges faced by the region.

Tourism authority must establish the foundation and direction for a focused, co-ordination and united approach to the future development of tourism and develop strengthen industry, take local organization linkage before planning any tourism development activities such as coordination from provincial council, local council (Pradeshya Sabha), community leaders from all communities and divisional secretarial and politician.


Serenidade em Serendib

Published on 21/06/2009 in Blogs, people and press coverage. Closed

Um expatriado inglA?s refaz a vida numa antiga jA?iado Sri Lanka.

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A temporada estA? no auge mas os hotA?is continuam vazios. “Este ano A? para esquecer”, diz Manfred com um encolher de ombros. Mesmo com o fim da guerra e a morte confirmada de Prabhakaran, o lA?der mA?ximo dos Tigres do Tamil, os turistas jA? nA?o vA?o incluir o Sri Lanka nos seus destinos de fA?rias. Continue reading ‘Serenidade em Serendib’

Cruise ship to Arugam Bay?

Published on 21/06/2009 in Blogs, front page, Ideas, press coverage and stop over Ideas. Closed

The Island Newspaper

The Island Newspaper

The long anticipated Tourism boom is yet to arrive after the end of the Civil War in Sri Lanka. While we wholeheartedly want tourism to succeed and contribute to the National Economy, I would like to draw the attention of the general public and the authorities to a much neglected aspect of the tourism industry.

The locals are denied Cruise ship voyages and Theme Park entertainment right here in Sri Lanka unless they can afford to visit places like Singapore or Malaysia. Continue reading ‘Cruise ship to Arugam Bay?’

Paddle4Relief Arugam Bay News

Published on 13/06/2009 in Blogs, From our own Correspondent, front page, Money Matters, people, press coverage and the bay. Closed

Paddle4relief held in perfectA?conditions

13 06 2009

Paddle4relief01

The sun shone, the surf pumped and this intrepid crew took up the challenge to paddle to Croyde bay from Saunton Sands in aid of the charity project Paddle4relief.

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Paddle4Relief was formed shortly after the 2004 Asian Tsunami.A? Every year since the disaster, the local North Devon based charity hold a sponsored paddle and form a circle of remembrance, at Saunton Beach, for the forgotten victims. The monies raised go towards empowering the local community of Arugam Bay, a village on the south east coast of Sri Lanka, regularly visited by P4R Founder, Tim Tanton.

Paddle4relief08

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Wells surfs off to Arugambay

Published on 11/06/2009 in Blogs, front page, press coverage, surf and the bay. Closed
Thursday, June 11, 2009, 09:25

TORBAY surfer Gary Wells is preparing to compete in his first ever UK Pro Surf Tour Champion of Champions contest in Sri Lanka later this month.

Wells, 25, qualified for the Arugam Bay finals after claiming a top 30 place in the 2008 tour, and will head out to compete alongside the country’s top surfers. Continue reading ‘Wells surfs off to Arugambay’

Kataragama Kumana up to Pottuvil roadway link

Published on 04/06/2009 in front page, Ideas, Money Matters, press coverage, services and the bay. 1 Comment Tags: , , , .
Hatton National Bank

Hatton National Bank

A?

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

The development of the North and East should be fast tracked along with the rest of the country to ensure that the benefits of the victory against the LTTE filter down to the people. The process should be reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction, Chairman Hatton National Bank (HNB) Rienzie Wijetilleke told Daily News Business.

He outlined certain proposals which can be implemented utilizing the internal resources which will yield quick results. a??We dona??t have to depend on foreign aid for everything as there are many ventures that the banks can support,a?? he said.

Extending a new roadway link along the southern coast beyond Kataragama along the coastline through the Yala sanctuary, Kumana up to Pottuvil Purchase ethionamide pronunciation (through/around Arugam Bay) and setting up small hamlets along that roadway with a planned program is very important. Continue reading ‘Kataragama Kumana up to Pottuvil roadway link’

Return to……Arugam Bay

Published on 23/05/2009 in press coverage. 1 Comment

In The Times (of London, sic Zofran tablets price ) yesterday, correspondent Jeremy Page argued that Britons should not visit Sri Lanka.

Mr. Perera (white gown) and Celebreties

Mr. Perera (white gown) and Celebreties

Quotes by:
Sanjika Perera, Director – UK & Ireland, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau

In his article Defeat of the Tigers is welcome: the conduct of the war is not, Page said: “Britain has helped to rebuild Sri Lanka’s tourist industry: Britons accounted for 18.5 per cent of the foreigners who visited the former colony’s famous beaches, wildlife parks, tea plantations and Buddhist temples last year. Only India sends more tourists. Many Britons also own property there, especially around the southern city of Galle, not far from where Arthur C.Clarke, the British science fiction writer who settled in Sri Lanka, used to love to scuba dive. The question facing British shoppers and holidaymakers is this: should they continue to support Sri Lanka’s garment and tourist industries? Sadly, the answer must be no.”

Generic names for fosamax Today, the head of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry in Britain presents his own view. Let us know what you think below:

“It is always challenging when politics and tourism become intertwined. For the past 10 years tourists have been coming to Sri Lanka despite the breakdown of the ceasefire, terrorist activity and the continued civil war.

Following the devastation of the Tsunami to Sri Lanka’s Tourism Industry, British aid and support helped to rebuild the industry.

Tourism is the lifeline of Sri Lanka’s economy, it has and will even more in the future affect every member of the Sri Lankan community and their ability to rebuild their lives. The government has plans to develop the Northern areas as a priority to attract new tourism products and visitors into this part of the country and with it income for the local population.

By recommending that the largest producer of tourists to the country boycotts future holidays in Sri Lanka will only make the lives of the displaced community, the local tourism industry and the population in general harder to rebuild.

After the Tsunami the Sri Lanka Tourism, Industry strove to rebuild its infrastructure and business successfully with the assistance of the British Travel Trade despite the civil unrest in the North of the country.

Now at last Sri Lanka can offer a completely peaceful, terrorist free option and tourists will know that their money is contributing to the rebuilding of the community as a whole.

On behalf of Sri Lanka’s Tourism industry I would like to thank our British tourists for their support over the past years. With peace comes hope for a revitalised tourism product and they will be able to return to explore even more of our beautiful country.

Some of the island’s most beautiful beaches will once more be accessible in the east such as Passikudah and Trincomalee, while Arugam Bay is famous as one of the most prominent surfing destinations in the world. Yala National Park, home to leopard and elephant, will also be reopened to tourists.

As part of Sri Lanka Tourism’s new strategy there will be several annual events organised over the next year including the Hikkaduwa Beach Fest in July, the Jazz Festival in October, Negombo Beach Fest in December and the Tea Festival scheduled for next year.

With the 2 for 1 holiday deals still in the market for all bookings during June for travel up to the end of October, now is the time to come to Sri Lanka, enjoy our warm welcome and be part of a peaceful future.”

source:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/news/article6343263.ece

The Best Beaches are on the East Coast

Published on 18/05/2009 in front page, press coverage, Security & Safety and the bay. Closed

With an end to hostilities in Sri Lanka tourism could be set to spread to the country’s troubled north & east.

By Adrian Bridge

Sri Lanka: end of conflict could boost tourism

A beach near the city of Trincomalee, an area that could attract future tourists Photo: GETTY

While it is still too early to predict the future course of events in Sri Lanka, the possibility of a lasting peace opens up the prospect of the great swathes of pristine sandy beaches in the north and east of the country becoming new tourist hotspots.

With the fighting still fresh, outrage over the number of civilians killed and fears that pockets of Tamil Tiger fighters may continue with terrorist attacks, the Foreign Office continues to advise against all travel to the north and east of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka travel experts, however, hope that in the long term, the ending of the 26-year-long civil war will signal a fresh start for tourism in what is potentially one of the most attractive holiday destinations in Asia.

a??This is a good step forward but we have to be cautiously optimistic; there is still a lot of work to be done to bring about a true peace,a?? said Jean-Marc Flambert, who promotes a number of hotels in Sri Lanka.

a??But in fact the best beaches on the island are on the east coast. Also, with the rainy season there coming at a different time to the rain in the south and west it could turn Sri Lanka into a year round destination.a??

Resorts that are likely to become holiday favourites include Nilaveli, just north of Trincomalee, and, further south, Kalkudah and Passekudah. Arugam Bay is set to attract the surfing crowd while Trincomalee itself, described by Admiral Nelson as the finest harbour in the world, could become a major new tourist hub. Continue reading ‘The Best Beaches are on the East Coast’

PVC Oceans

Published on 05/05/2009 in Blogs, Environmental, front page, press coverage, Security & Safety and the bay. 2 Comments Tags: , , , .
Today's catch ....
Today’s catch ….

Drowning in plastic: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is twice the size of France

There are now 46,000 pieces of plastic per square kilometre of the world’s oceans, killing a million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals each year. Worse still, there seems to be nothing we can do to clean it up. So how do we turn the tide?

Richard Grant reports on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and a new expedition that aims to make us reassess our relationship with plastic. Illustrations by Brett Ryder

Way out in the Pacific Ocean, in an area once known as the doldrums, an enormous, accidental monument to modern society has formed. Invisible to satellites, poorly understood by scientists and perhaps twice the size of France, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is not a solid mass, as is sometimes imagined, but a kind of marine soup whose main ingredient is floating plastic debris.

Continue reading ‘PVC Oceans’