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Frazer’s Blog & non halal pork

Published on 03/10/2007 in Blogs and press coverage. 0 Comments

My Shitty Week

Just thought I’d share my shitty week. It was pretty shitty.

Shit Monday: Ceftin length of treatment My driver got fired after 1 1/2 years. To be honest he probably deserved it. Bright Spot: Got given 1 kilo of wild pork in Panama (the town, not the country)
Shit Tuesday: Tractor driver working for us in Pottuvil got arrested for “illegally” transporting sand between 2 sites, I spend 1 hour trying to get him released then another 2 at the court.
Shit Wednesday: Meeting with Police in Pottuvil to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Bright Spot: The Pottuvil Divisional Secretary (Government Rep) ragging on the Chairman of the Pottuvil Pradeshiya Sabha (Local Council) for 10 minutes about how hard he finds it to work in Pottuvil, and how he has never had so many problems in any other division he has worked in over the past 20 years. We agree.
Shit Thursday: Not much on the shittiness front this day.
Shit Friday: Boundary wall collapses on a site and kills one labourer and injures another. ’nuff said. Visit wailing family, accident site, got offered to see the body but turned it down. Police arrest Technical Officer and Supervisor but release later. Bright Spot: Get another 4 kilos of Panama pork
Shit Saturday: Visit other man in hospital. Bright Spot: Seems like he will be OK with no lasting damage. Fiji beats Wales (sorry, South Pacific solidarity and our Security guy is a big Fijian).
Shit Sunday: Get some sort of weird allergic reaction to something and lips around left corner of my mouth swell up for a few hours. Bright Spot: BBQing some of Friday’s pork tonight. Have lunch in Arugam Bay with Dawn as she is leaving for a few months. Get word that Annette will be back soon. Don’t have to deal with anything to do with work. Guys are here installing generator so I might be able to sleep in AC at nights now (it’s really hot at the moment).

Conclusion: This week SUCKED.

Had to share that. Hope to have some pics from Ha Noi and Bangkok up soon.

Ramblings of Fraser at 5:05 PM A?A?

1 people talking back:

Order digoxin swisshits said…
Hahaha
“Get some sort of weird allergic reaction to something and lips around left corner of my mouth swell up for a few hours”

Monday: Got given 1 kilo of wild pork

Friday: Get another 4 kilos of Panama pork

Sunday: BBQing some of Friday’s pork tonight

Maybe to much “non halal” Pork?

Give my best regards to Rifai!!!

Cheers
Magnus

source:
http://intheeyeofthetiger.blogspot.com/2007/09/my-shitty-week.html

Frazer’s Blog and New Austrian Cook

Published on 03/10/2007 in Blogs and press coverage. 0 Comments

The End of My Madness

It’s all been happening since my last post. Well, not all, but a couple of things.

At the start of July we moved into the guesthouse, waayhay! I have been getting surprised looks from all the local staff as I appear in the office around 7.30 in the morning, as they were used to me showing up at least an hour later because of the travel time from Arugam Bay.

A panoramic view of the house (we’re building a bar too)

Outside

Inside the main dining area
Ranjith, our cook, after Patricia did his hair (don’t ask, we have no TV…)

Anyway we finally got to move in, there are some teething problems but we are getting over them. The cook is fantastic (I’ve been eating more pork than you can poke a curly tail at to get over my deprivation) and we are working to make it more liveable every day. Small steps. We even have hot water which is a luxury I was missing a lot, I just feel so much more cleaner now.

I also managed to finally get away on holiday, so I shaved off my beard after a couple of months I think, I’m not sure, anyway not shaving until I got to go on holiday was the deal. Was pretty hairy anyway and kind of glad to see it gone although it wasn’t too annoying in the end.

Order bonnispaz My beard at it’s peak

The aftermath…

I spent the first few days in Colombo and got Laser Eye Surgery at a hospital there. Was quite surprised at the “production line” that the doctor had going on, I had the initial consultation at about 4pm and then by 6 ish I had new eyes. Was all pretty painless although the bit where he poked my cornea to establish the thickness, even though he’d put in anaesthetic eye drops, was a bit strange. After a bit of an uncomfortable evening, where I could barely open my eyes (understandably) they were not too bad the next day and the follow up check revealed 20/20 vision! All for the bargain price of just over $1,000 USD for both eyes, which is probably about half what you’d pay for one eye at home.

They have settled down now and I can read, watch TV, look at the computer etc without having to wear glasses, it is just training the muscles to focus properly from now on. I am not too sure about the long distance at the moment, but I’m not sure if I am expecting too much – like being able to spot the flag on the moon.

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So I went down to Phuket again to catch up with Steve, got to see the bar which was still being constructed last year when I was there. Was a bit dangerous not having to pay for beer but I’m not complaining… I had an overnight in Singapore but got in late so didn’t really get to see much of it, had a wander down Orchard Road which is one of the main shopping streets there. I think I’d like to go back and have a better look around at a later stage. First night I was in Phuket Steve was having a full moon party to try and drum up some business in the off season (it was pretty dead, not many tourists but still the ex-pats that live there coming in). Funny thing was it wasn’t a full moon, he had planned the party after checking the internet but he looked at 2006 instead…Never mind, went off OK, there was a snake show and fire dancers and not a bad crowd. Went a bit silly and one of the waitresses had to take my bike home after closing cos I was not fit to ride (apparently), even though Steve only lives a couple of hundred metres down the road. Was probably for the best. That kind of set the tone for the trip and I think Steve was pretty glad when I left (especially after I changed my ticket to stay a few days longer) so he could catch up on his sleep. Anyway it wasn’t just me who was trashed, some girl fell off the couch things that night too and went through one of the glass coffee tables. The third time that has happened Steve tells me. He is now considering replacing them with sturdy wooden ones…

Snake show at the bar

Sunset from Steve’s parents balcony. This was followed by possibly the biggest thunder storm I have ever experienced, pretty cool though

Back to Sri Lanka and to work, we are going to start roads on our big project soon and my concrete block project should be wrapping up in a month or two. While I was away there were issues with labour now it is rice harvesting season, the local armed thugs annoying our gravel suppliers to pay them “tax” which stopped the gravel and even 3 or 4 days of rain. I guess I was lucky, Fergus had to deal with it. Cheers!. It slowed things up but we are pushing on, double teaming the roads etc to get it done. USAID have agreed to give some more money so that we can get a consultant in to turn the block making factory into some sort of business so it will be interesting to see how long that lasts in Pottuvil before all the equipment and/or money gets stolen and it gets shut down. I’m not jaded, honest. Only against Pottuvil. It’s a long story.

In the middle of September Fergus and I are off to Vietnam (Hanoi to be precise) for a couple of days for a conference and as it is Fergus’ birthday on the way back we decided to stop off in Bangkok for a couple of nights as he didn’t really want to celebrate it in Colombo. He did his masters at the AIT there a few years back so knows the city well and has friends there, so it will be good to have a tour guide who likes to drink beer. He says there are some great Jazz and Blues clubs there so hopefully we’ll get to check them out. It will break up the remainder of my contract nicely so I should be able to coast the next 3 months before getting the usual 1 month off around November to make the pilgramage back to NZ when it is a little warmer there. I think I’ve been in the tropics too long now to handle any sort of winter at home, the last summer was bad enough (especially stepping off the plane in Wellington wearing shorts and jandals).

While I was away the east of Sri Lanka was “liberated” from the clutches of the LTTE, so I am assuming that the shelling in the nearby jungle that has been going on for the past couple of days is just the Army trying to catch their dinner of wild deer and boar… Although things have quietened down here which is good but it sounds like both sides are gearing up to square off in the north where the LTTE still control a large area. Watch this space. Last week saw the anniversary of the killing of 17 ACF staff near to Trinco last year, there has still really been no progress in the investigation into who did it. Everyone blames the other side, de riguer round here. There was talk of missing evidence, now the person reported to have said it didn’t actually say it etc etc. Goes round in circles really.

source:
http://intheeyeofthetiger.blogspot.com/2007_08_01_archive.html

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

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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)
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Fly to Arugam Bay?

Published on 01/10/2007 in press coverage, services, taxis and the bay. 0 Comments

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Blue Skies 1 Comment/s
01 October 2007 14:48:47

Sri Lanka to revive ‘open skies’ aviation project

Oct 01, 2007 (LBO) A?a??a?? Sri Lanka is planning to revive an initiative to encourage civil aviation and aerial sports in the island after security restrictions resulting from an internal conflict all but killed the industry.

The ‘Ruhunu Open Skies’ programme designed to promote the use of Sri Lankan airspace for commercial, educational and recreational aviation activities will become law soon, said Chira Fernando, a member of the newly formed Sri Lanka Aeronautical Society (SLAeS).

“So there’ll be an area where people can fly without too many restrictions,” Fernando, an international airline pilot who had been flying for 39 years told a group of aviation professionals at the society’s first meeting on Sunday.

This will open up possibilities for a range of activities from ultra-light aircraft flying and hot air ballooning to para-gliding and model aircraft flying, he said.

The area demarcated for development of domestic civil aviation under the ‘Ruhunu Open Skies’ covers the coastal belt from Kalutara to Arugam Bay in Pottuvil and the adjacent 200 nautical mile maritime economic zone.

The region has three airfields namely Katukurunda, Koggala and Weerawila that can provide the basic support infrastructure required for aviation.

Civil Aviation Authority chairman Paddy Mendis told the meeting that the open skies programme would not be confined to the south only.

He said he was aware of the security problems that led to restrictions on private flying but said that most of these could be overcome to enable the revival of domestic aviation in the island.

Sri Lankan banned private flying in 1995 after fears that Tamil Tigers could use aircraft for attacks.

The Tigers did in fact reveal they had aircraft earlier this year when they used single-engine light aircraft fitted with small bombs for attacks near Colombo which however did not cause much damage.

Some of the restrictions imposed on domestic flying earlier have been eased especially to enable private domestic operators to fly passengers and cargo to the northern Jaffna peninsula which has been cut off from the mainland as the Tigers control the land route.

But prevailing restrictions forced some private companies and flying schools to close and an exodus of aviation professionals and cadet pilots abroad.

New restrictions have even banned the flying of radio-controlled model aircraft owing to fears that the Tigers could use them for attacks.

Mendis, a former air force commander, said it was necessary to distinguish between what was possible and probable.

“Blowing up houses using model aircraft is limited to Hollywood,” he said.

Likewise, he added, hang gliders can fly at a top speed of 30 miles an hour and not higher than 500-600 feet, and could be hit by soldiers armed with rifles.

source:
http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?newsID=230549999&no_view=1&SEARCH_TERM=7

Geheimtipp: Natur Pur

Published on 30/09/2007 in presse-deutsch, the bay and wild life. 0 Comments


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Der gute Ruf Sri Lankas als reizvolles Urlaubsziel basiert – neben kulturhistorischen HeiligtA?A?mern, dem kolonialen Architekturerbe und Ayurveda-Kuren – vor allem auf den endlosen, herrlichen SandstrA?A?nden, die das Land fast auf seiner gesamten KA?A?stenlA?A?nge umranden. Doch ein weiterer, eindrucksvoller Naturschatz findet sich im Inneren der tropischen Insel: eine A?A?ppige Fauna mit vielen Arten, die im A?A?brigen Asien schon lA?A?ngst aus dem Alltag verschwunden sind. Da die meisten Tiere aufgrund landestypischer Tradition nicht bejagt werden, ist die Begegnung mit ihnen auf fast jeder Reiseroute vorprogrammiert. Vor allem aber in den zahlreichen Naturschutzgebieten, die aus dichten DschungelwA?A?ldern, einsamen Seenlandschaften oder steppenartigen Regionen bestehen. Einzigartige Erlebnisse zum Beispiel garantiert eine Entdeckungstour in den Kumana-Nationalpark. Als GrA?A?nder des “Aliya Ecoprojects Sri Lanka” (www.ecoproject.info) fA?A?hrt der ambitionierte Deutsche Wolfgang Heilmann mit urigen GefA?A?hrten oder sogar zu FuA?A? durch das faszinierende, gern auch als Yala-East bezeichnete, entlegene Schutzgebiet. Ausgangspunkt seiner gehaltvollen, umweltbewussten Touren ist die sagenumwobene Arugam-Bay an der sA?A?dlichen OstkA?A?ste. Zu den besten Surfspots der Welt zA?A?hlend, herrscht dort – wie auch in den meisten anderen Touristengebieten des Landes – eine erfreulich stabile Sicherheitslage. Nicht zuletzt deshalb konnte sich unter den insgesamt rund 60 Urlauberanlagen mit dem naturnahen “Pottuvil Point” ( Finax shipping www.pottuvilpoint.com) mittlerweile sogar auch ein erstes, wunderschA?A?nes Boutique-Resort etablieren.

Supermarkets in the East?

Published on 27/09/2007 in Money Matters, press coverage and services. 0 Comments

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Co-op Cities to streamline food distribution in East

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COLOMBO: The Government has allocated Rs. 9 million to restructure and develop nine Co-operative Societies as Co-op Cities (Super Markets) in the Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts to streamline the essential food distribution at concessionary rates among civilians in areas liberated by the Security Forces under the East Reawakening Programme.

Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operative and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardana told the Daily News the Government is directly involved in the promotion of Co-operatives in the East for the first time in Sri Lanka. Nine Co-op cities are expected to be open next month after the restructure process.

He said these Co-operative Societies had collapsed due to conflict and tsunami. Forty five branches of Co-op Cities will be set up within 60 days in Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee to fulfil Eastern civilians basic requirements.

source: http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/09/27/news13.asp

Japanese Market

Published on 26/09/2007 in Blogs and press coverage. 0 Comments

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Deputy Tourism Minister Faizer Musthapha last week emphasised the need to explore the Japanese tourist market as there is a lot of potential in that market.
In an interview with “The Traveller” on his return from the World Travel Fair, organised by the Japanese Association of Travel Agents in Tokyo, he said that there are 17.5 million outbound tourists from Japan annually vising other countries and Sri Lanka has been able to tap only 17,500 of this market.
Musthapha, spearheaded a recent campaign in the Middle East which has already borne results viz. an increase of over 20% in tourist arrivals from that region, has focussed attention on the Japanese market as well.
“All stakeholders must make a concerted effort in increasing our market share in Japan and, in this connection, the Tourism Ministry, Sri Lanka Tourist Board, Sri Lankan Airlines are working on a common strategy to woo the Japanese market.
The Deputy Minster said: “I have held discussions with the tourism authorities in Japan and had a meeting with the President of JATA, Harumi Umeda.”
Sri LankaA?a??a??s ambassador in Japan Ranjith Uyangoda and Presidential Advisor Hubert Jayakody, a seasoned campaigner in business circles in Japan, also participated in the discussions, he said.
With the much awaited Tourism Act coming into effect from October 1 and the launching of a Promotions Bureau, an sustained campaign to woo the particular market will commence, he added.
One of the areas that we could explore in this market is Pilgrim tourism, since both countries are predominantly Buddhist, Musthapha pointed out.
There is a lot of scope in the Japanese market for adventure tourism and Arugam Bay in the east coast has earned a name as a popular surfing destination internationally. In fact, Arugam Bay has been a popular destination with the Japanese and we must explore the possibility of increasing our market share, he stressed.
JATA World Travel Fair is considered the biggest travel fair in Asia with 134 countries participating and an approximately 110,000 visitors from all over the world.
source:
http://donhermon.blogspot.com/2007/09/japanese-tourist-market-in-sri-lanka.html

Zehra’s Blog

Published on 24/09/2007 in Blogs and press coverage. 0 Comments

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And the good news is…..

Not only am I still alive and kicking (not that it was really ever touch and go, but still), I got my first postcard! From, of course, Sakina, my sister who is now stopped traveling and is in DC finishing up law school. It was a very sweet postcard addressed to both Mick and I and it is in Ampara and I am in Colombo which is why I have not written about it as yet since I wanted to do it justice but I suppose I can wait.

Bill in Liberia said that there is no functioning postal system in Liberia. I don’t believe him and think he is just being a lazy. A lazy lazy. Both adjective and noun.

So, ends up that I have an enlarged liver. Not so nice. Either some strain of typhus or tick bite fever. And I was on the mend too, which was annoying since I felt lovely a week ago for about half a day and then crashed all of a sudden again. Another round of tests, possibly…no, probably tomorrow and then back to good ole Ampara on Thursday. My time in Colombo has been lovely. I have been a grown up living with my boss and his family (I made a big fuss and was being a total baby about coming out to Colombo since I complained that no one would look after me and better to be miserable in Ampara where atleast Mick could see me pathetically passed out on my bed than being alone in some hotel room in Colombo….still had bad memories of my rib recovery from the last time). Anyhow, so my boss and his lovely family have been looking after me, cooking lovely meals, having birthday parties and just all around being great company which I am sure has speeded my recovery. And no, he doesn’t really read my blog (though he should every once in a while for content to make sure I am not crossing any lines and he claims that he has at least once come on here), so I don’t have to be nice about him just in case he might be on here. His son, however, does read my blog…well, one of them does at least so I should be more careful since….since I should.

He owes me a postcard.

No photos. No real stories either. I could come up with some if I tried. I should. But later. And no, I didn’t finish my thesis and the party I had planned went on without me in Arugam Bay. Sad, but true.

Posted by Dove comprare sale nero di cipro F. Zehra Rizvi at 11:58 AM A?A?

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source:
http://zehrarizvi.blogspot.com/2007/09/and-good-news-is.html

Killer Jumbo

Published on 24/09/2007 in press coverage and wild life. 0 Comments

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Wild jumbo kills baby, injures teen

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V.T. Sahadevarajah, Karathivu Group Correspondent

KARATHIVU: A wild elephant killed a three-year-old baby girl and injured a teenager in Thambinayakapuram, Malwatta last week, residents said.

Villagers in the Malwatta, Valathapitty, Nainakadu and suburbs in Ampara town are facing severe difficulties due to wild elephants, residents said. J. Tharshiny was killed by the jumbo and J. Kajenthiran, 11, sustained injuries following an attack by the elephant. Wild elephants have all devastated paddy and chena cultivation in Malwatta, they said.

source:
http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/09/24/news35.asp

Elephants ..

Published on 23/09/2007 in press coverage, Security & Safety and wild life. 0 Comments

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Marauding jumbo claims little girlA?a??a??s life

By Wasantha Chandrapala

The menacing wild elephant is today the oft talked about subject in almost every village which is close to forest areas. Hardly a day passes sans some incident involving this animal. It appears that the attempts made by the Wild Life authorities are hardly able to control this hazardous situation.

The weeping mother and villagers beside the coffin of the child.

Ampara district figures more prominently in such episodes where confrontation between man and beast is most common. The most recent incident happened last Tuesday when a two year-old girl became a victim of an elephant attack in Malwatte village in the Sammanturai area. A 12-year-old boy was also injured in the attack.

On that fateful day the two children – sister and brother – were reportedly playing in the garden oblivious to the impending danger. The animal had held the girl in its trunk and dashed the child on the ground. It had also attacked her brother before fleeing after being scared by the shouting of the people in the vicinity.

Though both victims were rushed to hospital, the little girl was dead on admission. The 12-year-old boy identified as Jesudasan Gajendran was transferred to the Ampara hospital for further treatment. The incident had scared the villagers who had watched helplessly as the animal disappeared into the jungle. They complain that the animals are now in the habit of scaring them often with their unwelcome visits at sundown. They destroy their cultivation when the harvest is near.

The villagers say if no action is taken by those responsible more lives could be lost. They earnestly request those responsible to take preventive measures before more damage is done.

source:
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/070923/News/news00022.html

The Shock Doctrine

Published on 21/09/2007 in Blogs and press coverage. 0 Comments

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78Mill. Euro EU fund

Published on 20/09/2007 in Money Matters and press coverage. 0 Comments

Sunil C. Perera in Colombo

Betapace online shoes Over the counter substitute for erythromycin Colombo, 20 September, (Asiantribine.com): There have been some misunderstandings concerning the Memorandum that the European Commission signed last week with the Ampara Government Agent concerning the A?a??A?EU-Ampara PartnershipA?a??A?. This Press Release clarifies these points as raised in the media.

The EU-Ampara Partnership is an ongoing programme of Euro 78 million for post-tsunami reconstruction and housing reconstruction for conflict affected communities. Through the Memorandum signed last week with Government Agent for Ampara, the European Commission promises to coordinate and report on implementation of our tsunami reconstruction support in Ampara.

These are not new funds. The funds in question were committed in 2005. In a country in conflict, EU funds are not channeled through the government but through international partners and NGOs. EC aid does not favor one group over another. Our aid is allocated according to need, regardless of ethnic group.

All EC aid is provided in accordance with the Guiding Principles recently agreed among all donors and supported by the government. These principles include equity between geographic and ethnic groups as well as conflict sensitivity. As such, our aid will seek to address all ethnic groups and geographic areas in Ampara, according to needs.

All parties have welcomed the continued implementation of EC tsunami support as well as new EC funds in support of returning IDPs. While conditions for full reconstruction may not exist, we remain committed to continue our support to IDPs to alleviate their suffering and to permit their sustainable return.

– Asian Tribune –
source:
http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/7430

Naomi Klein

Published on 19/09/2007 in Blogs and press coverage. 0 Comments

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Tsunami Waring 12th Sept. 2007

Published on 12/09/2007 in press coverage, Security & Safety and services. 0 Comments

On 12 September 6:10pm local time (11:10 UTC) a strong
earthquake shook the south coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The Magnitude of 8.4
(USGS)/ 8.0 (First measurement) and the depth of 30km below sea level
resulted in a high risk of a disastrous tsunami. Due to the strength and the
location of the quake the customers of the Tsunami Alarm System received an alert within a very short time period and at least 10 minutes before a potential wave could
reach the nearest costal area. After two hours, we have been able to give the \”all
clear signal\” due to latest news information.

Geological background: The source of the earthquake was in the same region,
which triggered the disastrous Christmas tsunami in 2004. It happened at the
border between the Australian and Indonesian plate. The difference to the
2004 event was that the earth moved \”only\” for a 400km long line, instead of
1200km as in 2004. Together with the horizontal direction of the movement,
only a 1m (3feet) tsunami reached the shoreline.

A series of further strong quakes followed this one. These were partially so
strong that there was again the hazard of tsunamis and we in due course
raised the alarm. The Tsunami Alarm System has alerted you about quakes that
happened at 6:49 local time (23:49 Uhr UTC, 1:49 MESZ) with a magnitude of
Mw 7,8 (USGS) /8,0 (first measurement) and at 10:35 local time (3:35 Uhr
UTC, 5:35 MESZ) with a magnitude of Mw A?A?7,1 (USGS) /7,3 (first measurement).
We could give the \”all clear signal\” a few hours later, when it became clear
that luckily only small local and non-destructive tsunamis had been evoked.

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Sincerely
Your Tsunami Institute Team

Sources:

Tsunami Institute Tuebingen, Germany
United States Geological Service (2007): Earthquake Summary.
GDACS, Italy (2007)

‘Expat’ with Elephants Blog

Published on 10/09/2007 in Blogs and press coverage. 0 Comments

Banking and musings

I opened a bank account yesterday. I know, I’ve been here two months and I’m just getting around to this. My excuse is really good, I couldn’t open an account until I finalized my work permit and visa. Isn’t that slightly crazy: to open a bank account I had to show my passport, visa, work permit, work contract and of course, have some money to deposit. Oh, and I had to have a letter from Sewalanka requesting the bank to cash my check — basically stating that the check was real and the money was in fact owed to me. In the U.S. I needed an I.D. and money. Plus, there was some initial confusion as they call a checking account a savings account. Beside that everything was very similar to the process in America. Oh, and I had to sign the big brown book entitled, “Register of Savings Pass Books — Running Stock.” I guess this means there will be an official long-term record that I opened a savings account in Sri Lanka.

Anyway, I’m very proud of this accomplishment and mentioned it to Amitha. She immediately asked why I opened a bank account and I explained that Sewalanka reimbursed my plane ticket cost via a check in rupees. Amitha made the very good point that I shouldn’t leave that money in rupees as the currency has been falling at an even faster rate than the U.S. dollar and thus I will loose money over the long run. I was thinking of keeping it in rupees as emergency (i.e. going over budget) money. Anyway, I’ve yet to go over budget so it probably is stupid to keep it in rupees. The alternative is changing it to dollars, but then if I want to take it out of the country I’ll have to put it in my shoes or something (you aren’t allowed to take out large sums of money that you didn’t declare on your way in).

Speaking of shoes, when the hoteliers in Arugam Bay mentioned that the security checks you must endure on your way to the east were frustrating to tourists, the Minister of Tourism’s reply was that he had to take his shoes off to board a plane in the U.S. I don’t really think this made the hoteliers happy (especially since they were all local or Australian). I thought it was funny. I really wanted to mention that I have to cross the street unnecessarily every time I leave Crescat in Colombo (you aren’t allowed to walk on the sidewalk out front of the president’s house) and that that is far more irritating to me than the few checkpoints on the way east, but I held my tongue. I was also yelled at three times this week for trying to lock my bike up in various places. Apparently, I’m not allowed to lock my bike in front of Crescat (but I can leave it with the guards at the side of the building) or on the street in high security areas even though there was a motorbike sitting there also. I’m totally not used to this because in America I could go anywhere on my bike — even when roads were closed the cops would let me go.

In case you are wondering if I’m in a state of eurphoria at the lack of proposal writing here, I should mention that I’m back at it. Luckily, as I’m not the grantwriter, I am not solely responsible for the proposals, so people actually help and give me information in a timely manner. Plus, since I’m an active participant in the projects, I actually have something to contribute to the proposal’s content. I still believe this is the best way to do grantwriting and reporting. The role of grantwriter is obsolete; people working at nonprofits should just suck it up and learn how to write a proposal. The proposals will be stronger and the reports will be more informative.

Speaking of poorly written reports, the USAID contractor came to visit us on Monday to discuss the close-out of the disaster preparedness project. Sewalanka managed evacuation training and drills for two villages, including installation of an emergency communication system and contributing to the country’s disaster management plan for $25,000 (one year). Sewalanka staff wrote monthly reports (in Sinhala) and organized five large binders full of handouts, meeting minutes and participant lists for this project. They submitted detailed quarterly reports and full financial accounting. Still, this woman who is probably being paid more than the amount of the grant was not happy. See we had a foreigner advising the project, but she left several months ago, before the last quarter began. So the local staff had to write the last quarter report and the final report on their own. If you have ever written a grant report you know how much fun you don’t have while doing it. Imagine having to do it in a language with which you are not totally comfortable. So she mentioned the reports were not very good in the last quarter. I saw the draft all marked up sitting on the table when I came down to try to help. I think this is obnoxious. It wasn’t part of the grant that Sewalanka pay a foreigner to write the reports for this grant. It seems like some leeway should be provided when your grantees do not speak your language. This grant was under the special tsunami program within USAID, so Sewalanka can’t be the only organization suffering from this prejudice. Although I’m sure Kate wrote the original proposal, so I can’t be completely upset at USAID. I have heard a lot of people complain that only the organizations that had foreigners and could report in English received the larger tsunami-related grants. Aren’t you glad your donations went to those who really needed instead of being based on something stupid like the level of reporting?

So I’m actually busy at work now. I’ve been completely absorbed into tourism — we head off to Hambanthota next week to do a site evaluation for a community based tourism project funded, hopefully, by Mercy Corps. We submitted a very last minute, but enormous, grant request to the Ministry of Tourism for Sinharaja homestays. Next weekend I’ll attend our first package tour of Sinharaja. Actually, Harshana and I just made that up, but it sounds good doesn’t it? Two Japanese students contacted him to help arrange a tour of Sinharja so I suggested we make a package and see how it is received. I think he is taking me because he is worried he won’t understand the students as no one in the office, but me, can understand Aya. I’m also working on a lagoon/tank irrigation project with our agriculture program. Still working on solid waste issues and trying to coordinate some training for sustainable aquarium fisheries (as I have no experience in this at all). Finally, I’m starting to receive requests for specific subjects in photographs, so I have to be more focused when I’m out in the field.

Speaking of photography, I’m taking a class with the Photographic Society of Sri Lanka. It is actually a beginners/amateur class, but it is focused on the technical side. My technical knowledge is very lacking and as the class is very reasonably priced and on Saturday mornings, I figured it would be a good idea. I can’t afford Sinhala classes at the British Council (it would be one month’s salary), so I also think I’ve decided photography is filling an education void. Manurie said she’d teach me Sinhala — we are going to set up a schedule and get a book and everything. I’m a little worried as she hasn’t taught a language before and I know it can be difficult without experience. She has taught before, though, so it may work out well.

O.k. I realize I’m babbling, so I’ll stop now.

at 9:09 PM A?A?

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1 comments:

Anonymous said…
I think for the wedding present you should give them something decidedly American: maybe a bottle of wine, a toaster or the coup de gras…a gift card to Wal-Mart.

Good luck.

September 6, 2007 11:15 PM A?A?

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source:
http://expatwithelephants.blogspot.com/2007/09/banking-and-musings.html

New Roads

Published on 10/09/2007 in Money Matters and press coverage. 0 Comments

How to buy aciclovir tablets How much risperdal to get high Ampaa’rai gets A?a?sA?78 million EU fund: priority for transportation links

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 September 2007, 12:39 GMT]
The Head of European Union’s Delegation to Sri Lanka, Julian Wilson, on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government Agent of Ampaa’rai, Sunil Kannangara, initiating EU-AMPARA PARTNERSHIP programme. More than half part of the funding is allocated to reconstruct the roads in the district. The funds are channelled through eight partners working with local authorities and Sri Lankan ministries. Following is the full text of the press release issued by the European Commission Delegation in Sri Lanka on the signing of EU-Ampara Partnership:

EU-Ampara partnership programme

Julian Wilson, the head of European Union delegation to Sri Lanka [R] shaking hands with Sunil Kannangara [L], the district secretary (Government Agent) of Ampaa’rai district

Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on EU-Ampara Partnership

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Mr. Julian Wilson, Head of Delegation, European Union Delegation to Sri Lanka and Mr. Sunil Kannangara, the Government Agent of Amapara at the GA’s office yesterday.

The EU-Ampara Partnership funded by the European Union amounts to EUR 78 million (Approx. LKR 11,388,000,000) will contribute towards the rehabilitation and sustainable development of Ampara district. The Partnership, which comprises of 7 programmes working with community organisations and National Ministries, is committed to deliver aid to all vulnerable communities in the district.

The European Union in its efforts to contribute towards the rehabilitation and sustainable development of the Ampara district, is channelling EUR 78 million (approx. LKR 11,388,000,000) through the EU-AMPARA PARTNERSHIP Programme.

The EU-AMPARA PARTNERSHIP funds are being delivered through eight partners working mainly with local authorities and also with the National Ministries (RDA and Nation Building & Reconstruction) to ensure an integrated approach for the development of the whole district.

The EU AMPARA PARTNERSHIP is comprised of the following programmes:

  • Reconstruction of Siyambalanduwa A?a??a?? Pottuvil – Akkaraipattu roads EUR 13.5 million, which is co-financed with the ADB and the Ministry of Highways
  • Community Access Roads Programme (CAP) for EUR 30 million implemented through UNOPS and local authorities
  • Community Livelihood Support Programme (CLSP) EUR 10 million implemented through IOM and local authorities
  • Livelihood Development Programme (LDP) EUR 0.7 million implemented through UNDP and local authorities
  • North East Housing Reconstruction Programme (NEHRP) EUR 13 million co-financed with the World Bank and the Ministry of Nation Building and Reconstruction
  • Environmental Remediation Programme EUR 10 million implemented through UNOPS and local authorities
  • Two environmental remediation actions under ASIA PRO ECO IIB A?a??a??Post Tsunami programme in Kalmunai for EUR 1 million co-financed with City of Munich and Province of Modena and local authorities.

The EU AMPARA PARTNERSHIP is committed to deliver aid to all vulnerable communities in the district and will ensure that the allocation of resources is strictly guided by the principle equity.

source:
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=23190