Archive for the 'press coverage' Category

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Tortle Vision aquired Arugam Bay?

Published on 13/11/2008 in Blogs, Ideas, people and press coverage. 0 Comments

Tortle Vision (New Camera, LX3)

Photo byA?A?Deshan

I got a new camera, the Panasonic Lumix LX3. OnA?A?SebastianA?a??a??sA?A?recommendation. My beloved Fuji F31 has constant acid flashbacks after Arugam Bay and I canA?a??a??t rely on it anymore. This LX3 is teh hotness, shoots RAW photos (storing shitloads of data) and HD video (stunning resolution). Right now IA?a??a??m more interested in the HD video. Was messing around with it at DeshanA?a??a??s and he got the brilliant idea to get a tortoise eye view of the world. By taping the camera to Plautus the tortoise. So that was the first use of this $500 camera. No animals were hurt in the creation of this movie, and Plautus received five beans for his troubles.

This is Plautus in front of the camera. I paid $50 for HD embedding at Vimeo and you can see the quality. Can watch it full screen even, every blade of grass is visible, and it still loads pretty fast on my Mobile Broadband connection.

This is Plautus behind the camera or, more accurately, below. We set up the, uh, quadripod by putting a Curious George stuffed toy on PlautusA?a??a??s back and affixing the camera thereupon with packing tape. Dude was freaking the fuck out for a while, and tortoiseA?a??a??s actually move pretty fast. Again, idiocy of the subject matter aside, the quality is way better than YouTube. When heA?a??a??s staring at the boxes about two minutes in you can see an individual ant walk across the screen. This file was 700 MB when I uploaded it, which took all night. IA?a??a??ve noticed that it looks a bit better on the site than embedded.

So, those are the beginnings of my experiments with the LX3 and HD video. IA?a??a??m quite pleased so far.

source:
A?A?http://www.indi.ca/2008/11/tortle-vision-new-camera-lx3/

Missing Buddhist monk in Panama

Published on 13/11/2008 in Blogs, From our own Correspondent, people, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

By Norman Palihawadena
A Buddhist monk had mysteriously gone missing in Panama, near Arugam Bay, Pottuvil Cheap arava israel since Tuesday evening.According to Pottuvil Police, Ven. Senurumulle Dhammasiri (48) who was the chief incumbent of the Kudumbigala and Hulanuge temples situated in Panama had left Kudumbigala temple in a vehicle escorted by armed home guards since it was a dangerous area often frequented by LTTE cadres.
After travelling about 300 meters the monk had told the home guards that he had forgotten some pirith nool (blessed thread) and that he would fetch it from the temple and return soon. Saying so the monk had walked back to the temple but had failed to return. The home guards who when back to the temple to look for him found him missing. A search in the vicinity drew a blank. Later the home guards had found a pair of slippers and a bag belonging to the monk in the nearby jungles.
Police were unable to say as to what could have happened to the monk but confirmed that a few days ago the LTTE and the STF were engaged in a battle around the same place from where the monk went missing. Pottuvil Cheap yougaramdewbaba Police have launched a massive search operation in the area.

source:
A?A?http://sinhale.wordpress.com/2008/11/13/police-commandos-search-for-missing-buddhist-monk-in-panama/

#67 Peanut Farm

Published on 13/11/2008 in accomodation, bars, Blogs, cabanas, From our own Correspondent, parties, people, press coverage, the bay and wild life. 3 Comments

#67 Peanut Farm is the name of a good surf break 6km South of Arugam Bay.

#67 Peanut Farm Houses

Years ago actual peanuts are said to have been grown there. But in 2009 only the name remains.

Off the beaten track and only accessible via a rough track #67 Peanut Farm is the Counterpart to the excellent PottuVille Point, up market development which is located the same distance in the opposite, Northern direction from the centre of Arugam Bay.

Now the Arugam Bay area has two great, additional locations to chill out, the party, to relax!

As from 2008 it is reported that the boys from #68 Mambo’s Chill out Cafe have taken over management of Peanut Farm. A few, maybe half a dozen ‘Tree’ Houses have been built, a generator is present and late summer 2008 seen the first proper and well organized Full Moon Party at #67 Peanut Farm.

And what a great, unspoiled, beautiful location it is!! Buy azulfidine Digoxin fab cost

#70 Surf Point Cafe

Published on 12/11/2008 in accomodation, cabanas, people, press coverage, restaurants and the bay. 7 Comments

Order emsam Indian price of himcolin gel

CH2M Hill Press Release

Published on 12/11/2008 in Blogs, Money Matters and press coverage. 0 Comments

Four Years Later, CH2M HILL “Builds Back Better” to Support Successful, Sustainable Future for Tsunami-Torn Sri Lanka and Maldives Epivir-hbv price Market Watch Promo

Last update: 5:19 p.m. EST Nov. 11, 2008
DENVER, CO, Nov 11, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) — Nearly four years ago, an earthquake off the Sumatra coastline measured 9.2 on the Richter scale. The massive tsunami that resulted and came to shore on December 26 completely devastated the lives, land, and infrastructure of the people of Sri Lanka and Maldives.
With funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the work of global engineering, construction, and operations firm CH2M HILL, a healthy and sustainable future is being created for these citizens.
“USAID’s Tsunami Reconstruction Program consists of projects specially targeted to spur economic growth in Sri Lanka and assist local communities to grow their economies and recover from the devastating 2004 tsunami,” says USAID Mission Director Rebecca Cohn. “These projects include construction of a new bridge over Arugam Bay, reconstruction or rehabilitation of nine vocational schools, installation of improved water supply systems, and reconstruction and upgrades of three damaged fishing harbors.”
Building bridges
The Arugam Bay Bridge — linking the nearly 45,000 residents of Pottuvil, Panama, Arugam Bay, and Ulla in eastern Sri Lanka — is not just a bridge. It is a pivotal lifeline to the reconstruction of tsunami-torn Sri Lanka.
“Some of the first projects completed involved rebuilding critical bridges and access roads in East Sri Lanka, which made a huge difference to the spirits and lives of those living in the remote eastern area. People can now cross the large Arugam Bay Lagoon safely to be with family, seek out resources, move their rice and agricultural products, and be part of the rebuilding of their country in this previously devastated tsunami- and conflict-prone area,” says Rick Robertson, CH2M HILL’s program manager for the Sri Lanka Tsunami Reconstruction Project.
Expanding education opportunities
In October 2008, CH2M HILL with USAID successfully launched the seventh of nine Vocational Education Training Centers to be opened in Sri Lanka, which will teach 40 different skill trades for 2,000 students a year, enabling the country to become both completely self-sufficient and successful. The training centers focus on trades that are in high demand in Sri Lanka — apparel, masonry, plumbing, welding, engine repair, carpentry, and IT.
“Of all the initiatives by the United States to help Sri Lanka recover from the tsunami, promoting vocational training is in many ways our most important project,” says U.S. Ambassador of Sri Lanka and Maldives Robert O. Blake. “Training young people in vocational trades will help to provide good paying jobs in the near future, and will help boost both family income and the economic health of the districts and of Sri Lanka as a whole.”
Ensuring future water supplies
In Arugam Bay, CH2M HILL managed the design and construction of a new water supply, treatment, and distribution system. It serves 40,000 people who have never had clean, potable water.
CH2M HILL’s reconstruction efforts in Maldives included designing, constructing, and providing operations training for two seawater reverse osmosis facilities. The plants provided the first-ever treated water supply for the 8,000 island residents, as well as a business plan and instructions so the facility will become a viable business for the citizens of Maldives well into the future.
“An extension of our work included creating a health network TV system; sustainability, water, sanitation, and health workshops; and school health awareness training programs for all community members to participate in,” says Robertson.
Restoring livelihoods
Three fishing harbors were renovated and expanded to meet the needs of more than 22,000 fishermen who lost their livelihoods after the tsunami. Fishermen committees were established, facilitating internal governance within the harbors and increasing the fishermen’s ability to manage and sustain their rehabilitated and newly built facilities. This will result in economic growth opportunities long after CH2M HILL and USAID complete their work.
Focusing on sustainability, safety
Under CH2M HILL’s direction, new construction in both areas was built with high standards of environmental compliance and an emphasis on “green” building practices. Two of the buildings, including the Ahangama Vocational Training Center, were the area’s first to achieve Silver LEED(R) certification of sustainability under the U.S. Green Building Council.
“All over the world, including in Sri Lanka, there is a growing demand for ‘green’ energy and building services,” says Ambassador Blake. “The Ahangama center will provide a venue for technology transfer and capacity building in ‘green building’ design and construction for Sri Lankan architects, engineers, contractors, and vendors. I expect that in the coming years, this center will set a precedent for environmentally sound design both in Sri Lanka and beyond.”
Also, after seeing CH2M HILL’s strict standards for making safety a No. 1 priority at all work sites, local people have embraced a strong safety culture for the first time. For example, workers achieved more than 380,000 hours without an accident on the bridge project thanks to extensive training, placing safety officers on each site, proactive safety planning, and providing hardhats, gloves, safety harnesses, and other safety gear to all workers. Over the past six months, with the construction at its peak, more than 1.5 million hours without a lost-time accident have been accumulated by the entire program.
Rebuilding structures, restoring hope
With less than two months of the Sri Lanka Tsunami Reconstruction Program remaining, the work in Maldives already complete, and a workforce prepared to make the most out of their new facilities, schools, and businesses, the promise of a secure and sustainable future in Sri Lanka and Maldives has become a reality. Under the program motto “build back better,” the communities are now ready to help people rebuild their personal lives after the tsunami tore them apart.
Headquartered near Denver, Colo., employee-owned CH2M HILL is a global leader in engineering, procurement, construction, management and operations for government, civil, industrial and energy clients. With $5.8 billion in revenue and more than 25,000 employees, CH2M HILL has long been recognized as a most-admired company and leading employer, including being named by FORTUNE as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For and one of America’s Most Admired Companies (2008). Visit www.ch2mhill.com.
Contact:
Lori Irvine
Phone: 1-720-286-3137
E-Mail:  Email Contact
SOURCE: CH2M HILL
http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=B66F07A3274E029D

Price of forzest

Return to Arugam Bay

Published on 10/11/2008 in Blogs, Money Matters, press coverage and the bay. 0 Comments


By Dr Kavan Ratnatunga

The consequences of Great Tsunami of 26th December still influence events in Lanka. I had visited the east coast of Lanka 5 days after the Tsunami and it was just over 5 months, when I got the opportunity to return to Arugambay to see how the population directly affected by the Tsunami have recovered. They have little time to ponder the larger issues of sovereignty which is currently dominating the media and tearing apart the government and it’s politicians bickering on how to safeguard Lanka and divide the billion$ of Foreign Aid promised for Tsunami relief.

As on the previous trip I joined Lt. Col. Anil Amerasekara. Wing Cmdr. Ranjit Ratnapala was also traveling with us to continue his quest to help the region in the name of his son Chinthaka, who had in June 1997 made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of Lanka. We were joined in Kandy by Nisanka and Ira Madiwaka who had collected funds in UK to rebuild Tsunami affected houses in the east coast.

On Friday we visited three small computer centers near Ampara organized by the Thawalama organization and housed in Buddhist Temples. A computer technician Manjula came with us to fix problems and maintain the 5 computers in each center. A local teacher is hired to educate 5 batches of about 10 students each in English and Computer literacy. After the 6 months course they sit for an exam. We held such an exam on Sunday in one of the centers before returning to Colombo. The exam is set and marked in collaboration with IDM who awards certificates to those that pass (about 30%) and scholarships to those that do very well (about 1%). This program had been active now for about 2 years in eight centers in the North-East provinces of Lanka.

The Potuvil to Arugambay bridge, part of which had washed away in the Tsunami had reopened with the aid of the Engineering regiments of the Indian Army Task Force. An Indian Flag was hung on the side in gratitude, I wonder how long this temporary repair which allowed a single vehicle to be on the bridge at one time, will need to serve the community.

Indian Bailey Bridge
The entrance to temporarily reconstructed Arugambay Bridge
It was about 10 O’clock when we drove into Arugambay on our way to stay overnight at the Guest House in Kudakalli 2 km further south. A ghost town after the Tsunami just five months previously, Arugambay was alive at this late hour. Many Tourists had returned to this surfing paradise and were on the streets walking from their hotels to patronize the Cybercafe and many Bars and restaurants which had reopened. A street performance was entertaining a large audience near a newly constructed Buddhist shrine in the town center.
Ophthacare cheap Tsunami Hotel
The infamous Tsunami Hotel sign, repainted with URL
The Tsunami Beach hotel sign had been revised and put back up proudly stating that they had open since 1999. The owners cashing in on on all the media publicity after the Tsunami had even registered in March 2005 an Internet domain tsunamihotel.com. It like the Hotel had still not activated.Arriving at Daya Fernando’s guest house we surprised the caretakers since they had not got the message of our arrival. However dinner was soon ready and the mosquito nets put up for us to retire to sleep from a long drive. Since I had not slept overnight near the east coast for almost 30 years, I got up an hour before sunrise and walked out with disturbing the others. Daya’s 3 dogs were ready to protect me and show me the way. The surf was up but fairly calm. Starlight and a crescent moon illuminated the many shells that had washed ashore on to the beach. A couple were beach combing a rich bounty. I too picked up some beautiful large shells and coral. I was amazed to see the many striations of black sand on the beach. Considering that region of the beach needs to have been rebuilt after the Tsunami, black sand probably settles only at particular tide characteristics. I was disappointed by the clouds which covered the horizon at sunrise. The others were up and ready for breakfast by the time I walked back to the guest house.Our next visit was to Panama. A small Sinhala community 10 km south of Arugambay. We went to the residence of Chandrasena who was the secretary to the local Pradesh Saba (community council). He is I was told a (s)pot-less politician. It was he who had compiled the list of 17 houses which had been badly damaged in Panama by the Tsunami and had sent out the appeal with photographs for funding. He told us that all off them had already been rebuilt by Thawalama using funding from Sri Lanka Tsunami Appeal Committee of Western Australia. I also witnessed the handing over of ten carts with pneumatic tires to cultivators affected by the Tsunami from this same committee.

The cultivators of Panama also lost over 350 acres of paddy land, when areas such as Halawa, close to the sea was flooded by Tsunami water. These Paddy fields will remain barren for many years till the salt washes away. Though they have been promised alternate land under the Meeyangoda tank, which is to be restored with funding from the Rotary Club of Kandy, the cultivators now fear that this too is another promise that will never materialize. Most NGO’s who have visited the village of Panama have requested the villagers to fill application forms, but have failed to provide the promised assistance.

In the reality that some promises of help for reasons beyond the control of the well-wishers get delayed or unfulfilled, construction starts when the first group comes with the hard cash. There have been some reported cases when more than one group have known to have paid for the same reconstruction.

That was clearly not going to happen here. The UK funding would need to be used for other housing project in Panama or elsewhere on the East coast. We visited some homes which although had only been slightly damaged by tsunami, the residents who had lost their livelihood to the Tsunami and their ability to complete a partial house construction. The decisions were hard to make with so many valid requests for help.

Nearly all of the help to reconstruct and revitalize the community has come from private organizations which have raised the required funds in Lanka and abroad. The government represented by the Task Force for Rebuilding the Nation (TAFREN) had still not made any positive impact on reconstruction the community. All that the residents have seen are the numerous reports and advertisements in the media of what is being planned, Those affected were wondering where all the claimed foreign aid had got tied up.

Just south of Arugambay, the village of Ulla, within the 200 meter buffer zone was totally destroyed by the tsunami. TAFREN has thus far failed to provide the affected families with alternate property outside the buffer zone, for them to commence rebuilding their houses. The NGO’s who want to help these unfortunate people to rebuild their houses are being discouraged as a result.

TAFREN unlike most NGOs allocates the task signs a MoU and waits. For example the Sinhapura Sinhala Vidyalaya in Ulla near Arugambay was totally destroyed by the tsunami, even though it is beyond the 200 meter buffer zone. The Italian Civil Protection Mission has signed a MoU to complete construction work in six months. It is now six months since the tsunami and they have yet to commence work on reconstruction. The Thawalama Development Foundation that wrote to the President in this connection, requesting her to reallocate this school to them, as they are in a position to find the necessary funds for the purpose, have been informed by TAFREN that this is not possible.

Unlike state aid, private aid has in many cases been made on racial and religious divisions. A Tamil resident from Jaffna I spoke to said that although many who didn’t have any fishing boats have received a one, but he who had lost seven boats in the Tsunami has still to get any replacement.

That evening we visited the “Mudu Maha Vihara”. We were surprised to find that the archaeological dept. sign that pointed the way for pilgrims and tourists had been removed and replaced with a large Mosque sign which at bottom mentioned an unnamed archaeological site. An interesting report that circulated soon after the Tsunami was that a reclining Buddha statue had been seen few hundred meters from the coast when the sea receded near the Vihara. The Monk who was in residence on the fateful day, said that no such statue had been seen. The story had been made up to say that the 34 acres of land allocated in the 1960’s to the Vihara as an archaeological reserve is from the sea, and not the 30 acres of archaeological land illegally encroached by the local Muslim community.

King KavanTissa
Buddhist Monk explains the history of MuduMahaVihara next to statue identified as that of King KavanTissa.
This great Buddhist temple near the sea dates back to the 2nd century B.C. and has ruins and many sculpture from that era. It is stated in the ancient chronicle the “Rajavaliya” that in the second century BC after Kelaniya was submerged by the sea (Tsunami), Devi daughter of King was cast to sea in a Golden Vessel to appease the gods, and washed ashore near a Vihara to became queen to king KavanTissa under the name Viharamahadevi. Kirinda which is a lot further south and this site each claim to be the “true” landing site. Local folklore relate place names Komari to “Ko Kumari” (where is Princess) and Arugambay to reply “Ara gamme” (In that village)Early next morning observing that the sky was still too cloudy to see sunrise, I went on a bicycle to photograph Arugambay and the reconstructed Bridge at dawn. The village was as empty as when we had walked that way five months previously. All of the rubble had been cleared. However various Political forces with wildly different agendas were preventing the start of the urgent Reconstruction.After breakfast, packed and on our way out of Arugambay, we distributed baby T-shirts sent by the Senahasa Trust of UK. Although we had sent a message the day before through a local contact that we would be distributing free T-shirts to Tsunami affected families, no one had come when we arrived a bit early. I guess they had probably been disappointed before. A reasonable crowed of mothers with babies gathered after we arrived when word spread in village. We were glad we realized before trying to distribute them that the sealed T-shirts marked 6-12 was months not years as we had first assumed. Although all of the T-shirts were for babies under 2 years, we found some small built 9-years olds who fitted into them comfortably. To ensure that the T-shirts went to kids and not the local store, we insisted that the babies be present despite some legitimate comments from some mothers who didn’t want to bring their babies in the hot sun just to get a T-shirt.

Hillton HotelHillton Hotel
Has the charm Arugambay Hillton to be demolished for the 5* Original
Talking with the villages at that time I was told that TAFREN with the Ceylon Tourist Board is trying to acquire a 17-mile long strip of the best sea coast on the pretext of a Tsunami 200 meter buffer zone, for development of a upscale resort of with five-star hotels, displacing the residents and small business who have occupied this land for generations. This amazing outrage is in detail by John Lancaster in a Washington post article of 6th June. The people of Arugambay must surely be feeling like they say in Sinhala “Like a man fallen from a tree, getting butted by a bull”

An edited version of this article Slow relief but surfers are back By Kavan Ratnatunga appeared in the SundayTimes of Sri Lanka on 2005 June 26th. The printed copy of Newspaper included Photographs shown above and not included in online edition. Access to the Online edition of the SundayTimes of Sri Lanka requires a paid annual subscription.source:
http://lakdiva.org/tsunami/arugambay/index.html

Magul Maha Viharaya – Lahugala

Published on 09/11/2008 in Blogs, people, press coverage and wild life. 0 Comments

The day was bright and the sea a glittering turquoise blue with a strong wind sweeping over it. Some people standing on a beach saw an object shining with the rays of the sun being tossed to and fro by the ocean waves. They waited till the object advanced towards the shore and was surprised to see that it was a gold-gilded canoe carrying a beautiful damsel in it. They ran towards the palace and informed the King that a golden-canoe was coming ashore with a beautiful princess in it. The King hastened towards the beach but found the boat gone. A?a??A?Ko KumariA?a??A? inquired the King? The boat had been swept away by strong winds towards the village Komarigama (coined with the words Ko kumari) in Arugam Bay. (The canoe had not been able to anchor at Kirinde due to its rocky environment). On inquiries made King Kavantissa was informed that the damsel in the canoe was Princess Devi, daughter of King Kelanitissa of Maya Rata, who was offered as a sacrifice to appease the wrath of the sea-gods as the sea waters threatened to drown villages. King Kavantissa then hastened to meet the Princess and married her in keeping with traditional customs, and she became Queen Vihara Maha Devi. A?a??A? The Magul PoruwaA?a??A? said to be of the Royal couple could be seen amongst ancient ruins in a temple called A?a??A?Magul Maha ViharayaA?a??A? in Lahugala. Princess DeviA?a??a??s canoe had been washed ashore at Arugam Bay ( coined from the words A?a??A?ara -gamaA?a??A?) and not Kirinde. This is folklore A?a??a?? as related to us by the Chief Priest of the ancient Lahugala Temple Ven. Hulanduwe Ratanasara Thera. We visited Magul Maha Viharaya which is in ruins today. Ven. Hulanduwe Ratanasara Thera the 5th generation descendent of the Uva-Wellassa lineage which administered the Magul Maha Vihare is the present Chief Priest. Lahugala belonged to the Ruhunu Kingdom of ancient Lanka. The entire Vihara complex had covered an extent of around 10,000 acres where ruins of a palace, moonstone, monastery, bo-maluwa, stupas, ponds etc. were found scattered all over. A headless white marble Buddha statue was seen lying horizontally in one part of the ruins, which sometimes people step on, Ven. Ratanasara said, taking us round the complex. The moonstone found in the complex was of special significance. The Chief Priest explained that among other unusual features, the row of elephants in the moonstone with their mahouts was exceptional. This moonstone is said to be the only one of its kind in the country. The Ven. Thera showing us round the ruins of the vihara complex observed that there were several villages round the temple and people had fled due to unrest. With the ongoing peace process many were returning to their original places. A perahera has been planned along with other religious ceremonies to be observed during Poson the Ven. Thera said. We then visited Muhudu Maha Viharaya at Arugam Bay. The wide white beach was endless, stretching for miles and miles. There were excavated ruins and stone pillars which provided evidence of an ancient kingdom which had flourished. The Chief Priest of Muhudu Maha Viharaya, Ven. Kataragama Siriratana Thera supporting Queen Vihara Maha DeviA?a??a??s story as related to us by the Lahugala Viharaya Chief Priest, showed us partly ruined stone statues two of which were believed to be of King Kavantissa and Viharamahadevi. The moonstone which had been in existence near a ruined A?a??A?BudugeA?a??A? had been removed by treasure hunters and the A?a??A?Mura-galA?a??A?had been replaced awkwardly. Ven. Siriratana Thera showed us ruins and stone pillars of an ancient structure excavated on the vast stretch of the beach, where, he said, a stupa had been erected to mark the spot where Princess Devi had landed. The monk living by himself protecting the ruined temple,is supported by about 12 families living in the vicinity who provide him with the A?a??A?danaA?a??A?. There were sand dunes forming part of the endless beach bordering a tranquil turquoise sea and at one end was the Arugam Bay and the A?a??A?UlaA?a??A? with a natural harbour. Several fishing huts were seen dotting the area. Both Chief Priests at Lahugala and Arugam Bay said that the ruins found in these places supported the existence of a royal kingdom of ancient Ruhunu Rata, and believed if chronicled had not sufficiently surfaced. The Ven. Theras said that these places were historically and culturally important and their conservation was of utmost importance to preserve the countryA?a??a??s rich heritage. (@CDN)

source:

http://mahawansa.wordpress.com/2004/09/09/magul-maha-viharaya-lahugala-by-florence-wickramage-www-virtual-library-sri-lanka/

Arugam Bay hits the top ..

Published on 09/11/2008 in Blogs, Money Matters, people, press coverage, surf, the bay and wild life. 0 Comments

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 andA?A?Arugam BayA?A?in Sri Lanka was awarded the `Highly Commended Best Destination` 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 Lanka`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.A?A?

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 Market`s World Responsible Tourism Day was sponsored by the Virgin Holidays and held in association with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).A?A?

Fiona Jeffrey, Chairperson of the World Travel Market at the opening ceremony said `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?

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.A?A?

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.A?A?

The three ethnic groups (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.A?A?

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.A?A?

lankapage.wordpress.com

ColomboDudeA?A?
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1307
Member Profile
 A?A?A?A?21 Nov 2007 14:35:56 GMTA?A?A?A?Report for Abuse
No idea where is this place??A?A?

CD
blackeyA?A?
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 205
Member Profile
 A?A?A?A?21 Nov 2007 14:38:41 GMTA?A?A?A?Report for Abuse
Its in the east – its a great place and always nice to see all the locals working with each other instead of sticking to one’s own community.
Dauntless
Senior MemberA?A?
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2148
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 A?A?A?A?21 Nov 2007 14:52:14 GMTA?A?A?A?Report for Abuse
CD…A?A?
aah man it’s a lovely place… you get to see the sunrise over the horizon and lovely beach front…A?A?
The place is fully relaxed…you get rasta types on the beach…lots of them smoke joints right in the open…A?A?
Food is great and accomodation is cheap but basic…A?A?
lotsa surfers etc… all in all great place…A?A?
Only hitch is that the roads are not all that great yet…A?A?
Hopefully with the new development programs this will be remedied
JanaA?A?
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1254
Member Profile
 A?A?A?A?21 Nov 2007 14:54:53 GMTA?A?A?A?Report for Abuse
No idea where is this place??

This is not going to be with Sri Lanka any more..:-)A?A?
groovygirl
Senior MemberA?A?
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6420
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 A?A?A?A?21 Nov 2007 14:55:50 GMTA?A?A?A?Report for Abuse
It’s one of the best beaches in Sl, off east coast,A?A?
Better than Hikkaduwa , less crowded.A?A?
gg
costaA?A?
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 592
Member Profile
 A?A?A?A?21 Nov 2007 14:59:47 GMTA?A?A?A?Report for Abuse
This is not going to be with Sri Lanka any more..:-)

Why is the Fat PIG praba going to go Surfing here. 🙂
Dauntless
Senior MemberA?A?
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2148
Member Profile
 A?A?A?A?21 Nov 2007 15:07:54 GMTA?A?A?A?Report for Abuse
This is not going to be with Sri Lanka any more..:-)A?A?

he he… 🙂
alwaysalion
Senior MemberA?A?
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1644
Gout treatment allopurinol Member Profile
 A?A?A?A?21 Nov 2007 15:28:18 GMTA?A?A?A?Report for Abuse
Jana, take a break man!You and your lousy posts!A?A?
Take a cyanide before going to bed!
AnuD
Senior MemberA?A?
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 19990
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 A?A?A?A?21 Nov 2007 15:37:24 GMTA?A?A?A?Report for Abuse
Even though it is our country we are not allowed to go.A?A?

that is the freedom that Sinhala people have in their own country.A?A?

All decided by the next door neighbour with a population of 60 million.

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ananda95
Senior MemberA?A?
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1858
Member Profile
 A?A?A?A?21 Nov 2007 15:39:49 GMTA?A?A?A?Report for Abuse
Jana, when, after November……..A?A?

Edited By – ananda95 – 21 Nov 2007 15:41:59 GMT

Arugam Bay is Safe

Published on 09/11/2008 in Blogs, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

Miran K. wrote:A?A?
> How safe is nord – east part of Sri Lanka?A?A? Purchase cyklokapron tablets
> Your recomendations for interest places?A?A?

Recent war zones are not usually the best place for tourism.A?A?
UXO, mines, and a lot of guns.A?A?
You should taka a look at this page:A?A?
http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/Sho…A?A?
You should be aware that there was an outbreak of fighting on 9 AprilA?A?
between rival factions of the Tamil Tigers in the area around theA?A?
Verugal River, about 40 miles north of Batticaloa. There has been noA?A?
fighting since 10 April. Much of the north and east of Sri Lanka remainsA?A?
heavily mined, particularly around the A9 road to Jaffna. You areA?A?
advised not to travel to the north or east (between Trincomalee andA?A?
Pottuvil, including Batticaloa, but not including Arugam Bay) unless onA?A?
business with an international agency or NGO.A?A?
…A?A?
Since the ceasefire the roads into both areas have been opened up toA?A?
traffic and scheduled flights to Jaffna have begun. However, you areA?A?
strongly advised not to travel to these areas unless you are working forA?A?
an international agency or NGO. Much of the north and east remainsA?A?
heavily mined (particularly around the A9 road to Jaffna), and travelA?A?
off the main roads should be avoided. Always take notice of signsA?A?
warning about the danger from mines and do not step off metalled roads.A?A?
The infrastructure in the north and east remains basic with no emergencyA?A?
services, and few hotels or guesthouses. Travel to Trincomalee, NilaveliA?A?
and Arugam Bay can be undertaken but visits should be confined to thoseA?A?
areas. There were civil disturbances in September and October 2003,A?A?
including in Trincomalee.A?A?
You should check the security situation with your hotel and listen toA?A?
news reports before you go. You should continue to avoid areas north ofA?A?
Puttalam, Anuradhapura and Nilaveli as well as the eastern side of theA?A?
island south of Trincomalee to Pottuvil including Batticaloa, but notA?A?
Arugam bay which is South of Pottuvil.

source:
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Muslim farmers in Pottuvil caught in the middle

Published on 09/11/2008 in Blogs, Money Matters, people, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

The Nation

By M.I.M. Anwar

At a time when the government is urging farmers to cultivate their neglected lands, the cultivators of Pottuvil are facing great difficulties due to security threats and lack of money for cultivation.A?A?

The farmers of Pottuvil have neglected a large acreage of paddy fields due to the LTTE not allowing them to cultivate their lands in areas controlled by it. Earlier, Tigers also had their camps in the nearby Kanchikudichchaaru jungles.A?A?

Despite the east being declared as being liberated, the farmers say the LTTE cadres are still seen in those areas close to paddy fields of Muslims. The LTTE had even advised farmers not to cultivate in those regions as they had planted mines.A?A?

Many of these paddy lands are now overgrown with trees and bushes and they need a large amount of money to clear them and prepare for cultivation, as they were not cultivated for more than twenty (20) years. Neither the government nor other organisations here are willing to help them.A?A?

The farmers also fear the LTTE, forcing them to purchase essentials required by the organisation from shops in the town and the possible consequences. Unless and until the government provides them with full security and financial assistance, it is unreasonable for the government to expect the Muslim farmers to do cultivation there.

source:
http://www.nation.lk/2008/11/09/news8.htm Detrol la generic available

Sand Dunes at Arugam Bay

Published on 09/11/2008 in Blogs, From our own Correspondent, front page, press coverage, the bay and wild life. 1 Comment

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Sand Dune Arch

Sand Dune Arch

By Risidra Mendis

A tsunami in

Sri Lanka, un-believable but true. Who would have thought that this little ‘Pearl in the Indian Ocean’ would witness so much damage, destruction and loss of human lives due to a horrendous tsunami.

The tsunami of 2004 changed the lives of many and has left indelible scars on those who lost their kith and kin. It is nearly four years after that dreadful day of December 26, 2004.

But while thousands suffer in silence due to the loss of their relatives and friends there still remains a segment of people who due to their love for nature managed to save thousands of lives.

Many hotels along the coast suffered immense damage and many guests were engulfed by the waves. But those who believed in protecting nature, were witnesses to what nature could offer them in return.

Merciless destruction

While constructing hotels many construction workers mercilessly destroyed the sand dunes along the coast. The sand dunes that had formed over a period of time and which would have served as a barrier against the gushing force of water when the tsunami struck are not there anymore. What remained was bare, flat land and hotels in their place. The end result – the massive destruction of human lives and property as witnessed during the tsunami.

The Yala Safari Hotel built within 100 metres from the sea and which was a popular tourist attraction was totally wiped out by the tsunami. But on the other hand the Yala Village Hotel survived the tsunami with minor damage. The hotel and its staff survived the tsunami because they were protected by the sand dunes in close proximity to the hotel.

When this hotel was built many years ago precautionary measures were taken to build the hotel without destroying the sand dunes. By protecting nature, the hotel and its staff were rewarded through the sand dunes that served as a buffer. Many understood the importance and value of sand dunes only after the deadly tsunami hit the country.

Short memories

It was ultimately the staff of the Yala Village Hotel that came to the help of the remaining guests and staff of the Yala Safari Hotel. However when it comes to Sri Lankans their memories are very short. What happened almost four years ago is now history to many who believe that the country will not be hit by another tsunami. However according to scientific predictions Sri Lanka is very likely be hit by another tsunami in the not too distant future.

It is interesting to note that the very hotel that was saved from the tsunami due to the sand dunes ultimately took measures to destroy part of the sand dunes.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader environmentalists in the area said during the rainy season early last year (2007) some officials from the hotel had cut part of the sand dunes to build a road to the hotel.

Pleas ignored

The pleas of environmentalists not to destroy the sand dunes only fell on deaf ears. “Hotel officials were only interested in preparing the road as soon as possible so that their guests could arrive as it would give them an additional income. The hotel staff who took this decision told us it is easy to take the sand from the sand dunes rather than transport it from elsewhere. These were the same hotel staff who witnessed the horrendous tsunami in 2004,” environmentalists said.

But thankfully due to the intervention of senior hotel officials the cutting of sand dunes was stopped.

The Coast Conservation Department (CCD) has also introduced a project to protect the remaining sand dunes in tsunami affected areas in the country.

Creating awareness

The sand dune rehabilitation project introduced by the CCD some time ago is aimed at creating an awareness among the communities living along the coastal areas.

During former CCD Director Dr. R Samaranayake’s tenure reconstruction of sand dunes in the Hambantota area had commenced. “Hambantota was one of the worst affected areas due to the tsunami. The Karagam Levaya was badly affected because the people of the area had destroyed the sand dunes. The tsunami waves entered through the Karagam Levaya and created a lot of damage. Kosgoda was also badly damaged due to the tsunami. However with the help of the community in the area we were able to reconstruct the destroyed sand dunes in the Kosgoda area,” Dr. Samaranayake said.

Reconstruction

Reconstruction of sand dunes in the Pottuvil and Arugam Bay areas and on the eastern coast were also carried out by the CCD.

A sum of Rs.150 million was allocated for the reconstruction of the sand dunes at the time. The project includes the collecting of sand from off shore areas that were used to fill up areas where the sand dunes were destroyed. After the filling of these areas is completed CCD grows vegetation on top of the dunes.

The accumulation of windblown sand marks the beginning of one of nature’s most interesting and beautiful phenomena. Sand dunes occur throughout the world, from coastal and lakeshore plains to arid desert regions. Sand dunes also provide habitats for a variety of life which marvellously adapts to this unique environment.

Formidable barrier

Picturesque dunes against a sky of blue or a full moon, with perfectly contoured shadows of ripples and undulating crests, have always been a favourite subject of photographers. Dunes have also been the subject of many desert movies, and have historically been a formidable barrier to vehicular and rail travel.

The origin of sand dunes is very complex. An abundant supply of loose sand in a region generally devoid of vegetation (such as an ancient lake bed or river delta), a wind energy source sufficient to move the sand grains and a topography, whereby the sand particles lose their momentum and settle out are the main prerequisites needed to form a sand dune.

Any number of objects, such as shrubs, rocks or fence posts can obstruct the wind force causing sand to pile up in drifts resulting in large dunes. The direction and velocity of the winds and the local supply of sand are the results of a variety of dune shapes and sizes.

If the wind direction is fairly uniform over the years, the dunes gradually shift in the direction of the prevailing wind. Vegetation may stabilise a dune, thus preventing its movement with the prevailing wind.

source:
http://www.thesundayleader.lk/20081109/REVIEW.HTM

Eastern Development Committee

Published on 04/11/2008 in Blogs, Ideas, Money Matters, people, press coverage and the bay. 0 Comments

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Sri Lanka Tourism in its attempt to develop the East now liberated after the 22 years of war in the region has set in place a process to fast track the development of Pasikudah, Arugambay, Trincomalee, Nilaveli, Waakarai, Verugal and Kalkudah.

The appointment of the Eastern Province Tourism Development Committee was officially announced recently.

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Stressing the importance of the committee, Deputy Minister said, the East was needed, since it has lots to offer for the tourism sector and we have focused on accelerating the development of the Eastern Province within a specific time frame. East, ravaged by the war for 22 years, is now freed and we have a vision to develop the East under the guidance of Tourism Minister, Milinda Moragoda. In a similar manner it is intended to work along with other provinces with the help of chief ministers in encouraging tourism development. Sri Lanka Tourism was glad to working towards achieving this goal with the Chief Minister.

Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Renton de Alwis, spoke of the need for a new approach in ensuring wider benefits to the people of the area. He said that already the concept of establishing rooms in homes in the East, a concept where homes can accommodate guests has got the nod from several donor agencies.

Director General, Tourism Authority and Managing Director, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau also spoke at the press briefing.

By Christine Hettiarachchi
Courtesy: Lankapuvath

source:
http://firstlanka.com/english/news/committee-set-up-to-develop-tourism-in-the-east/

Prayer Times for Arugam Bay

Published on 01/11/2008 in Blogs, people, press coverage and the bay. 0 Comments

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Arugam Bay

Published on 01/11/2008 in Blogs, Money Matters, parties, people, press coverage and services. 0 Comments

Posted on 01 November 2008
Tags:A?A?Cities,A?A?Hotels, Buy generic plaquenil A?A?Places

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Arugam Bay is located on Sri LankaA?a??a??s east coast and is a popular surfing destination. Devastated by the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, Arugam Bay has bounced back with many small guest houses now open for business. While getting to Arugam Bay from Colombo is quite a long journey (almost a 7 hour drive!), the sea and surf does not disappoint visitors who make the trek. Travellers are rewarded with possibly some of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka. So if you are a surfing enthusiast or are simply looking for peace and tranquillity without the luxury of large hotels, then Arugam Bay is definitely the place to head to.

source:
http://www.srilankantour.com/?p=24

Not even a pen or Half Sheet ….

Published on 30/10/2008 in Blogs, Money Matters and press coverage. 0 Comments

By Susitha R. FernandoImposing a suspended sentence on a public servant, the Colombo High Court yesterday stated that even Valtrex price in india a half sheet or a ball point pen should not be taken from a government office by public servants.

Judge W. T. M. P. B. Warawewa made this observation when he imposed a suspended sentence and a fine on former Project Officer of National Education Institute who was found guilty of preparing forged documents.

L. Padmasiri Jayasinghe was found guilty of forging documents to pass a person who came down in a Teacher Training examination.

The accused had inserted the name of P. B. Kulatunga who had failed the examination in the list of those who had passed the examination.

According to the indictment a list of those who got through the examination was prepared by project officer, Lionel Ranasinghe attached to Maharagama National Education Institute and the accused had fraudulently included the name in it. The offence was said to have been committed between November 9 1998 and August 1999.

Mohan Peiries PC appearing for the accused informed court that the trial had dragged on for a long time and if the accused had pleaded guilty by now he would have completed his sentence. The counsel also stated that the accused was interdicted in 1998 and he had to live without a job.

State counsel Shraminda Wickrema submitted that there should be a difference between the punishment imposed for minor offences and grave crimes similar to the one committed by the accused. The State Counsel said that the case had dragged because the accused did not appear before court on several occasions.

At this stage the judge observed that the accused would end his life in prison if a jail term was imposed. However the judge also noted that the accused had repeatedly lied and made a number of forged documents to cover up his original offence.

The court imposed three years imprisonment suspended for 5 years with a fine of Rs. 50,000 considering the accused age.

source:
A?A?http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=30684 Buy combivent respimat

Arugam Bay & CEGA

Published on 22/10/2008 in Blogs, From our own Correspondent, Money Matters, people, press coverage and the bay. 2 Comments

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Arugam Bay: ItA?a??a??s back to dancing on the waves
By Sanath Weerasuriya, Pix by Nilan Maligaspe

The tsunami that hit the coast of Sri Lanka in December 2004 left Arugam Bay completely flattened. Most of the hotels, which provide accomodation for the die-hard surfers were destroyed.

Almost four years later, apart from the physical scars, Arugam Bay, is almost back to normal. The tourists are returning, surfers are dancing on the waves, almost all the hotels, guest houses and restaurants appear to have re-opened but no development appears to have taken place in the rebuilding. The lifestyle is the same as it was before the tsunami.

Surf at Arugam Bay

After the liberation of the East from the grip of LTTE recently, Arugam Bay and Panama have taken centre stage in the East Coast tourism development drive and been identified as the areas with the most potential in the Ampara District to project sustainable community development tourism.

The Arugam Bay Tourism Association (ABTA) is working actively once again to woo tourists to the area.
According to tourism officials, infrastructure development is the need of the day as post-tsunami reconstruction has not matched the expectations of modern day tourism.

The new Arugam Bay Bridge constructed to replace the old, original landmark box girder linking Arugam Bay with Pottuvil town seems the only significant sign of development. Most of the popular guest houses and motels, RangaA?a??a??s Beach Hut, Paradise, Tri Star, Stardust, Tsunami Hotel, Rockview Beach Side Hotel, Hilton Beach Hotel operate on the same scale as before.

A?a??A?It is sad to see Arugam Bay still standing behind the line of poverty and yet to get a glimpse of the modern tourism facilities like in other areas in the country. Though the post tsunami aid and relief funds have reached the East, none of them benefited the community in Arugam Bay. We are still the same,A?a??A? said Mohomad Fizer, President of the Arugam Bay Community Eco-Guide Association (CEGA).

Reaching the east coast, especially Arugam Bay is not easy. It is a nearly 10 to 12 hour drive from Colombo with few stops. The main entry point of the Province via Siyambalanduwa usually closes at 7.00 p.m. and visitors have to be at the point before dark.

New so-called
The new Arugam Bay bridge.

The 45 km stretch of golden beach from Pottuvil to Okanda is the base for future development in Sri Lanka. It has great surfing, wildlife sanctuaries, heritage sites, places of religiously importance as well as opportunities for adventure and nature holidays with camping facilities.

It is indeed a destination on its own and should be developed as the top attraction in this region, reiterates S. Harshana, one of the locals who is a keen promoter of sustainable community based tourism. Being a villager in Panama, Harshana has many ideas and plans, such as A?a??E?home stayA?a??a?? tourism, which is a fast-developing trend in the rest of Asia.

A?a??A?To learn about the culture you should live with the culture. This is the basis of A?a??E?home stay tourismA?a??a??. This kind of travellers are educated and intellectual. They come here in search of culture and lifestyle. We have started this type of small projects in Panama Village but they really need a push from the top,A?a??A? he said.

Getting the community involved

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Group 'Batti
The team behind the project

Major players of sustainable community-based eco tourism projects met in Arugam Bay last month and formed a cooperative society to involve local community organizations to share economic benefits from the development of tourism and to promote respect and understanding between the host (local communities) and the guest.

The Community Eco-Guide Association (CEGA) based in Arugam Bay is promoting sustainable community based tourism. A collaboration between local community based organizations (CBOs), cooperatives and associations, the association made up of 13 Eco-Guide Members was formed during a community-based ecotourism project implemented by the Institute for International Economic Cooperation (ICEI) in partnership with Sewalanka Foundation and funded by Italian Cooperation and Regional Lombardia.

A professional guide training course has been conducted and 13 guides were officially licensed as Area Guides by Sri Lanka Tourism, specializing in ecotourism and community-based tourism.

source:

http://sundaytimes.lk/080629/Plus/timesplus002.html