Comments on: Security Update http://www.arugam.info/2006/10/23/security-update/ Sri Lanka’s hidden pearl Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:07:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Roland http://www.arugam.info/2006/10/23/security-update/#comment-225 Sun, 29 Oct 2006 11:55:33 +0000 http://www.arugam.info/2006/10/23/security-update/#comment-225 Hi Friends of Abay We just stayed 2 nights (only) at SVH. After Valaichenai and Batticaloa it looks really much safer in Abay BUT: It's not so nice when you move in the surroundings of Abay. Between bushes and trees you often will see some guns "shining" through. For first-time-visitors I would not recommend this experience. Peace for SriLanka! Hi Friends of Abay

We just stayed 2 nights (only) at SVH. After Valaichenai and Batticaloa it looks really much safer in Abay
BUT:
It’s not so nice when you move in the surroundings of Abay. Between bushes and trees you often will see some guns “shining” through. For first-time-visitors I would not recommend this experience.

Peace for SriLanka!

]]> by: Fred http://www.arugam.info/2006/10/23/security-update/#comment-189 Tue, 24 Oct 2006 07:30:39 +0000 http://www.arugam.info/2006/10/23/security-update/#comment-189 Do I think it is safe for any foreigner to visit and travel around Sri Lanka? <strong> YES!</strong> I do think <strong>SL is still a VERY safe place</strong>! Unless you happen to be Sri Lankan that is...... Danger? Military targets, the North, the NorthEast may better be avoided. I personally see the biggest danger to be forthcoming civil unrests, or Community riots. Any new outrage will ignite old grudges, and we will see mob rule a la 1983 again. This could happen very soon I fear. Anybody caught up in such an aggressive crowd should take special care! An added big danger is that authorities may choose to fail to contain violence. Such a lawless, emotionally highly charged and -free-for-all situation will give rise and a perfect excuse to carry out criminal activities, such as thefts and robberies, llotings and even murders. Jealouscy is a common problem, specially in Sri Lanka. The Sudu Visitor may be seen as being rich.....and mob rule is a good excuse for some criminal elements to rob or just trouble YOU. A situation where a mere visitor is caught up in a bomb or suicide mission still is a very small risk, in my mind. In sharp contrast to Egypt, Turkey, Bali and in many other popular resorts nobody wishes to harm a foreigner here. To be attacked by a rogue elephant, to be knocked over by a speeding NGO Jeep or have a coconut fall on your head is far more likely to happen these days. Indeed, the sheer presence of a white face on a planned strategic location might even prevent an attack opon it, at least for the time being, until the reverend vistor has moved out of sight and danger. I have personal experience of inpromptu cease-fires - warriers allowing my safe passage of elephant pass on my frequent travels to Jaffna. As soon as I was out of sight, the vicious shelling resumed... Your visit could therefore be seen as a contribution to peace - with no realistic danger to yourself. <strong> Also remember:</strong> The Island is mainly rural and perfectly calm in any event! Do I think it is safe for any foreigner to visit and travel around Sri Lanka?
YES! I do think SL is still a VERY safe place! Unless you happen to be Sri Lankan that is……
Danger?
Military targets, the North, the NorthEast may better be avoided.
I personally see the biggest danger to be forthcoming civil unrests, or Community riots.
Any new outrage will ignite old grudges, and we will see mob rule a la 1983 again.
This could happen very soon I fear.
Anybody caught up in such an aggressive crowd should take special care!
An added big danger is that authorities may choose to fail to contain violence. Such a lawless, emotionally highly charged and -free-for-all situation will give rise and a perfect excuse to carry out criminal activities, such as thefts and robberies, llotings and even murders.
Jealouscy is a common problem, specially in Sri Lanka. The Sudu Visitor may be seen as being rich…..and mob rule is a good excuse for some criminal elements to rob or just trouble YOU.

A situation where a mere visitor is caught up in a bomb or suicide mission still is a very small risk, in my mind.

In sharp contrast to Egypt, Turkey, Bali and in many other popular resorts nobody wishes to harm a foreigner here.
To be attacked by a rogue elephant, to be knocked over by a speeding NGO Jeep or have a coconut fall on your head is far more likely to happen these days.
Indeed, the sheer presence of a white face on a planned strategic location might even prevent an attack opon it, at least for the time being, until the reverend vistor has moved out of sight and danger.
I have personal experience of inpromptu cease-fires - warriers allowing my safe passage of elephant pass on my frequent travels to Jaffna. As soon as I was out of sight, the vicious shelling resumed…
Your visit could therefore be seen as a contribution to peace - with no realistic danger to yourself.
Also remember: The Island is mainly rural and perfectly calm in any event!

]]>