Comments on: AbHa http://www.arugam.info/2007/10/13/abha/ Sri Lanka’s hidden pearl Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:48:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: AbHa secr. http://www.arugam.info/2007/10/13/abha/#comment-48456 Wed, 17 Oct 2007 14:59:03 +0000 http://www.arugam.info/2007/10/13/abha/#comment-48456 "Together we are strong" - indeed, that was <strong>AbHa's</strong> original motto! <strong> AbHa </strong>was set up to present a common <strong>AbaY</strong> voice in Colombo, with the Authorities, the CEB, etc. and to purchase hotel supplies in bulk to share the transport costs. And, you are right, Dear Roland: Instead of building on partnerships, solidarity and trust most hotels in <strong>Arugam Bay</strong> are not united at all. We should have learned from the great Muslim virtue and helped and support each other, specially in such very difficult times. To visitors and well meaning NGO's we appear to be at each other's throats and they often left the Bay in confusion. The fishing Community in contrast did unite well and they spoke with one, strong voice. And they got more than they could have hoped for.....boats, engines, minibuses, snack bars in the forest, free fuel, community centres, cash bonus and more. Everyone had a quick fix for a "poor" Fishermen. The whole issue has made our hotel/fishing conflict even worse than ever before. I personally also blame the behaviour of organizations, such as Mercy Cops. Instead of supporting old, long established groups, they decided to form new, untested Associations. This act alone divided the Community - some were in favour, others were ignored. Jealousy all round was the result. Frankly, the<strong> Arugam Bay </strong>Community would have done better without interference from such organizations. After all, we survived very well through very difficult 25 Years without outside 'help'. The only problem we are facing is that the NGO's have all the money - we have nothing. In a Country like Sri Lanka you can do what you want with cash - and the poor guys are stepped upon. Will we ever unite somewhat? Yes, if prosperity comes to the Bay, I feel. AbHa Secretary <strong> Arugam Bay</strong> “Together we are strong” - indeed, that was AbHa’s original motto!
AbHa was set up to present a common AbaY voice in Colombo, with the Authorities, the CEB, etc. and to purchase hotel supplies in bulk to share the transport costs.
And, you are right, Dear Roland:
Instead of building on partnerships, solidarity and trust most hotels in Arugam Bay are not united at all. We should have learned from the great Muslim virtue and helped and support each other, specially in such very difficult times.
To visitors and well meaning NGO’s we appear to be at each other’s throats and they often left the Bay in confusion.
The fishing Community in contrast did unite well and they spoke with one, strong voice.
And they got more than they could have hoped for…..boats, engines, minibuses, snack bars in the forest, free fuel, community centres, cash bonus and more.
Everyone had a quick fix for a “poor” Fishermen.
The whole issue has made our hotel/fishing conflict even worse than ever before.
I personally also blame the behaviour of organizations, such as Mercy Cops.
Instead of supporting old, long established groups, they decided to form new, untested Associations.
This act alone divided the Community - some were in favour, others were ignored. Jealousy all round was the result.
Frankly, the Arugam Bay Community would have done better without interference from such organizations.
After all, we survived very well through very difficult 25 Years without outside ‘help’.
The only problem we are facing is that the NGO’s have all the money - we have nothing.
In a Country like Sri Lanka you can do what you want with cash - and the poor guys are stepped upon.
Will we ever unite somewhat?
Yes, if prosperity comes to the Bay, I feel.
AbHa
Secretary
Arugam Bay

]]> by: Roland http://www.arugam.info/2007/10/13/abha/#comment-47707 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 08:14:26 +0000 http://www.arugam.info/2007/10/13/abha/#comment-47707 Let's talk frankly: You're right it's a scandal. A lot of people have the same opinion. And now? Who are you? The AbHa seems to be the collective of the Hotel owners of Abay. In fact I think that after the Boxing day each owner started to look for himself. Inspite of helping each other everybody tries to survive alone. That's not very clever and it's not good for the tourist center ArugamBay. It's always the same: Together we are strong! I hope very much that AbHa will be a community again. Otherwise ???? Good luck, Roland Let’s talk frankly:

You’re right it’s a scandal. A lot of people have the same opinion. And now?

Who are you? The AbHa seems to be the collective of the Hotel owners of Abay. In fact I think that after the Boxing day each owner started to look for himself.

Inspite of helping each other everybody tries to survive alone.
That’s not very clever and it’s not good for the tourist center ArugamBay.

It’s always the same: Together we are strong!

I hope very much that AbHa will be a community again. Otherwise ????

Good luck, Roland

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