It's easy to order a reliable Taxi:
-
Write an e-mail: ArugamTaxi@Gmail.com
-
Call Shana on +94 776 792 969
Rates are as follows:
* Rs./ 12,000 (100$) per transfer, all incl. fuel, wages, insurance
* Rs./ 8,000 ( 70$) per return trip, if vehicle is returning to base
Arugam Taxi Initiative has two terminals:
* One at the International Airport
* One at the #50 SVH, ‘City Centre’, Arugam Bay
How it works:
- You order a taxi as above, best by email, confirmed by phone
- You give us your flight number & date
- Mr. Shana will greet you in the arrivals hall, after Customs
- We will select the best vehicle according to number of passengers, surf boards, bags etc.
- And you will be in Arugam Bay within 8 hours or so
- You pay the driver the set rate, see above
- Upon return, if there is a vehicle empty at the new Arugam Bay terminal, we will take you back for just 8,000Rs./
To save costs, we encourage passengers to share a ride.
This will save the environment, fuel, make fresh contacts and friends and free some holiday cash for all of you.
This web site, below, allows for such comments and contacts.
please make use of it!
Have a great and trouble free transfer and fantastic holiday in Arugam Bay! Don’t expect perfection: We are located in the underdeveloped, neglected South East of Sri Lanka. Our slow recovery process has only just begun.
School Bus Service in the wild East
Updated: Thursday, 13th August, 2009
24 July Mail Comment received:
My name is Roger …. I arrive 6th of August in Colombo airport around 10pm on Sri Lankan airlines flight no UL 124 from Chenni/India. Is it possible to share a taxi going to Arugam Bay at this time. I will await your reply. Roger. PS. I don’t have surfboard. Left it at Aloha Cabana in May 09. So can you give me a price or is it too early to know the possibility of people wanting to share?
Leave your response below please!
Arugam Forum
Arugam Photo Galleries on Picasa
Old Website
Press Coverage
Surf Forecast for Arugam Bay
ALIYA Wildlife Project
hey guys..
me again a few of us are planning to head over to beautiful Arugambay again (yey!!) on the 11th 12th 13th & 14th hows that time in terms of weather & security ?? let me know we’r planning on taking the bus & then a 3 wheeler from siyambala anduwa…. let me know
cheers
Good to see you here again, Salla!
It’s nice to see your comments, too.
There are frequent buses from Monaragala all the way thru to PottuVille – so you should not need to invest into a Tuk-Tuk ride – unless you want to do so.
Weather and security are as good as guaranteed to be fine, don’t worry:
It will not rain, the swell will be good, there are plenty of cheap beds around and most of all you will be very safe here in the remote little Arugam Bay
Have a great trip!
Cheers
Fred, SVH Team
is it safe? thinking of heading there this weekend…would you know anyone coming up? is salla – aka – arrrrvinda?
thanks for the info fred
fred, i will come after august 10th
after my exams!!!!! 
Fred,
I have managed to get lift on the 14th with friend from aus brother in law .
thankyou for the info and hope to see you soon.. Take care Beardie
@Andrew
Yes that’s possible!
One doesn’t need a Gmail account for access.
See here:
http://www.google.com/support/calendar/bin/answer.py?answer=41208&topic=13409
I’m very lucky with this Google-tools like Picasa and Calendar because nobody needs to register in advance!
Roland
Guy,
yep it’s still on. I don’t have an exact price but reading around I figure the total cost will be roughly $100US. Split three ways so about £17! If anyone else wants to be the fourth – let us know….
The plane arrives in Colombo at 08:30, what time will you be arriving?
Matt
Hi Matt,
I sent you an email the other day, just in case you didn’t get is, here is my email:
whos_thatguy@hotmail.com
See you on the 24th.
Guy
Hi guys,
I need a seat to go to A-bay from Colombo Airport on 29th July.
Please let me know if there is a seat for me.
And I have a long board with me.
Jesse
mauijesse@hotmail.com
Arriving am on 1st Aug & looking for a cab share to Arugam. I have with me soft board racks that fit any car.
Eehhh Folks!
It’s got to be said:
What I like about this site is that it is right up-to-date!
Unlike old stagnant web pages
And the idea of saving fuel and empty runs also makes sense to me.
Keep it going, man!
Dudley
Hey guys,
its more than 6 years that I’ve been to Abay the last time so I thought I gotta come back. I’m arrivin August 14. at 04.20 am together with 2 friends – is there anybody that can pick us up please?
cheers ‘n greetz
Ronnie
Hello Ronnie,
actually I think I could wait for u guys and share the 4 of us a minibus straight to Arugam bay.
What do you think?
Cheers
severin
Hi Severin,
sounds good to me and makes it cheaper for all of us
we are arriving with flight RJ0194 at 04:20am and want to go to A-bay as fast as possible too. Any idea where you are going to wait for us? Colombo Airport is not too big as far as i can remember so i think it will be hard to miss three guys with surfboards… anyway if you have an idea where you are going to wait just let me know
see you at the airport
greetz Ronnie
Perfect , see you soon
severin
Hi,
Anyone heading up to Abay 2nd week of September? Fred, is it still season in September? Is there good wind for Kitesurfing? Hmmm.
Dilsiri
We are a couple and wish to travel to Kandy this weekend; Friday oir Saturday.
Any offers of a cheaper lift?
Contact Steve at Rocco or Fred at the SVH
hi mag,
i am trying to see if my company would let me take ‘leave’ from work. so you plan to leave on tuesday….when do you plan on returning to colombo?
would anyone like to leave Fri Night and come back to Col maybe on Tuesday?
Dil
I need to stay in Colombo the 2nd of sept in the morning to make my indian visa extension, then I’ll be able to go to Abay. That’s why I can only leave Colombo at the end of the morning! I plan to go back in Colombo the 14th of September, to go back to Delhi. Anyone interested?
Mag
Hi Pat,
If you wish to order a taxi we are certainly happy to have a good vehicle waiting for you upon arrival.
Simply let us have your flight number and arrival time.
The driver will welcome you in the airport greetings hall.
Look out for an “Arugam Bay” sign.
The costs will be 16,000Rs/ (100Euro).
If you are on a budget and don’t mind to wait until next morning the costs can be reduced, as we are dropping 5 guys off at the airport on Thursday early morning.
Please advise us by calling: 0094 773 200 201 or send mail to:
ArugamTaxi@gmail.com
Hi Mag,
Do you mind to wait for the above connections?
Maybe join forces with Pat?
Cheers
Fred, for
Arugam Bay Taxi Initiative
hey..
Me & a friend are thinking of organising a party over at Arugambay… think it’s a good idea.. if you are interested give me a buzz 7 lets worl somethng out…
0777004390
Cheers
Arrvinda
High! Arrvinda,
At present the waves are good, so everyone is busy in the surf at Arugam Bay.
Also, there is a bit of Live Music and sing-a-song most nights at the SVH.
Weekends, like Saturdays, Mambo hosts a party or two.
Same on Full Moon Days/nights of course.
Up to the end of October we expect this (mini-) season to last:
So you and your mates are most welcome, at any time.
If you need transport, we have a van or two in Colombo every week.
Cheers
Fr4ed,
Siam View Team
Arugam Bay
Hello is anyone travelling from Colombo to Arugam on Sunday, 21st of September. Would be nice to share the trip! Best wishes, Stef
#Stef
Simply call 0773 200 201 when you are ready to leave Colombo.
We will be in the city that weekend for sure.
I always drive myself (No local driver = quicker thru check points etc.!)
We are happy if you wish to join us.
Fred & Somlak,
SVH, Arugam Bay
hi fred, might actually be interested. stay for a week there….hmmm
hi, i would also be interested in getting picke up from colombo. What sort of price am i looking at? It would sometime on the 23rd of spetember.
any info will be good. ta
i just noticed theres a ride from columbo on th 21st, i land about 2 on the 22nd….would it be possible to wait a day? I’d like to do it as cheap as possible. When i was last in abay i heard of a local bus that does this run, does anyone know anything about this? Is it safe with recent events? thanks very much.
What’s your budget, Nat?
Quicker & safer than with us you will not reach AbaY; the CTB bus is cheaper of course, but takes ages, not at night and not so safe I’d say.
We are happy to wait for you if you chip in a little to cover the diesel costs.
Simply call me on 0773 200 201 when you are ready to leave for the Bay.
The girls are with me – so they are happy to extend their shopping trip; No worries for Monday or even Tuesday.
Tks for you #60 Lahiru Comment!
This is the kind of interaction we are looking for.
Cheers
Fred & Co.
hi, thanks for your reply and info, i won’t land in columbo till noon on the 23rd now, are any other pick ups arranged for this date? if you get a few what are the likely costs? i am an extreme shoestring traveller, but bomb stuff is puttin me off getting on the beautiful and cheap train to badulla and then a bus!
thanks again!
give me a price!!
Airport to Arugam bay drop assistance.contact 94722159719.
Arugam Bay Hotel Association (AbHa) can recommend the services of Mr. Shana.
He is an accredited tourist and taxi guide based within the airport arrivals hall.
He has assisted our passengers for many years with no complaints to date.
We certainly are happy to expand our mutual cooperation to safe costs, offer an even better service and to minimize fuel consumption by avoiding empty runs across the island.
Call AbHa on 94 773 200 201 or Shana direct on 94 722 159 719 as indicated in the previous comment.
hi! hoping to go there for the comin long weekend… want to really experience things, so decided to bus it!
anyone know from where to get it? and maybe wat time it leaves from colombo?? hoping to leave 10th oct. Thanks!!
planin on goin 2 aru on 10th o 11th.
lookin 4 a ride 4 three.
by the way…i spoke to a driver i met in a previous trip,he’s askin’ for 160usd.is anyone knows if that’s the price?
The rate is OK and normal.
If we can find returning passengers it will be cheaper for all of you.
To double check,you can also call another driver, Mr. Rana on 0777 904 380.
He has a very good mini bus, drives safe and speaks good English. He is in Colombo today.
thanks for the info,i’ll call him.
if anyone wants to join us,we’re two,contact me here or via email or we can just meet at the airport sunday morning around 5am.
Fred
I would like to book a pick up and transfer from Colombo to A-Bay on Wednesday 15th October. My flight arrives at 8.15am.
Cheers
I agree to other people joining the trip. If there is any interest shown I would be happy to wait around for at least a couple of hours depending on the movements of other interested parties. What is the cost of the trip?
Thanks very much. See you soon. Very much looking forward to it.
Cheers
Hi ABay fans. Contact the foll. for rates to Arugam bay.
ape@sltnet.lk tel. 0094112554343 fax. 00941125543433.
Its called Airport Express and I was very happy with the service
Me again the fax is. 009411 2554344
Message from an existing, pending booking and transfer:
BTW if you know someone who would like to go on the 8th April, 2009 to Arugam Bay and needs a ride we still have 2 seats available as far as I know now. We’re trying to ‘recruit’ more but as it looks right now, there will be 2 seats unused. Splitting costs would help a lot as you know.
Thanks so much for everything again.
(Leave message for Teresa below)
hi there,
fred, i am finally coming there. planning on 8th to the 15th or so. if we leave colombo around 2 AM we should not have a problem getting there – in terms of road closure etc?
good to hear the swell is good. my friend wants to learn, there should be long boards for hire for a week or so right?
hows the wind? thinking of bringing the kitesurf gear as well……
see you soon.
dil
hi teresa,
we are heading up as well. just wondering if your vehicle and ours would like to travel together…..safer in numbers perhaps.
or, lets just meet in abay! i ll be the one with a kite!
dil
Hi Dil,
Good to learn, you are on your way East!
To coordinate with Teresa you can call Rana as above.
As far as I know he is got this particular contract.
(1.) Mr. Rana, from Tangalle: 0777 904 380)
The Road is open day & Night; No problem there.
Even yesterday, when there was a clash somewhere in jungles of Lahugala (nr. 10 mile post) No interruption was noticed and traffic was safe as ever.
You should reach ASbaY around lunch time: Great!
There are a few long boards to hire, yes.
Better bring your own. If you have.
Let’s hope the weather is OK – it has been raining a lot today; very untypical for our Bay.
Give me a quick call when you are here & we can meet up for a chat or beer.
Cheers
Fred, SVH
Hi Dil,
We’re planning to leave wednesday evening around 10pm or 11pm from Colombo 8. I guess that’s too early for you but we can def meet up in arugam bay, I’m sure we’ll find you
Still 2 seats available also for going back monday 13th, if anyone is interested please leave a message below.
Teresa
hi teresa, we intend to leave 3 AM on the 8th – guess we’ll be there a bit earlier! haha. Thanks Fred for the info
ah lucky you, we still gotta work Wednesday, hope to meet you guys there then, have a safe trip. teresa
i just took leave
ya, see you at abay….wonder how i’d figure out who you are!
No worries, Dil!
Teresa and Rana will pick up up. They have a couple of free seats.
If you break down somewhere in the jungles that is…..
Just waive your white handkerchief and they will stop….;-)
Failing this:
Call me and I collect you all in my old VW camper bus. From anywhere.
Day or Night.
See you in da Bay!
Cheers
Fred
hahahahha! thanks fred. we leave in 3 hours! yikes i need pack my bag!
hi fred, sorry we had to push off to colombo a bit earlier (around 11 AM) hence we couldnt meet up to sort out your network issue. my apologies. it was a nice trip but i guess its going to be much more prettier during the next few months when the season is in full swing. will definietly be there soon. thanks, dil
No problem for me, Dil.
Thanks for letting me know.
From Yohan’s #40 feed-back I see reasons for your early departure.
I regret that you came to the Bay at a time when in my words: “We advertise a resort, but we still don’t really have a decent product”. Even the rain was untypical!
Things will change, we all learn. Also from valuable comments!
And from constructive suggestions.
But it was good you made the trip – hopefully you agree that Arugam Bay does have a potential to be a great resort.
One day.
hi fred, trust me, i will be back sooner than you think. already blocking off a weekends. i too have hope about the place and yes, developed wisely it has a lot of potential for all members of the family – not neccesarily surfers.
Hi Fred,
A couple of friends hoping to head to abay during the long weekend. probably leave col on 7th april night and stay till 10th sunday morning (to be back in col by nighttime).
How much do you think a van would be for a col – abay – col ride. In addition if we’d like to venture to okanda and panama is that possible?
Also, we have a couple of surfboard to load – hope the driver wont have a problem strapping them to the roof – we have all the gadgets for that.
Let me know,
Dilsiri
Hi Dil,
As you may know, 10,000Rs./ or so is the current transfer rate.
CMB-AbaY. All drivers we know and all vehicles have roof racks of course.
Panama never has been any problem – unless you chose drivers which refuse to pass a normal village cemetery.
Okanda also OK, for guys like me.
For you, the STF might advise to take a nice boat ride along the coast.
From Panama to Okanda it only takes 30 Minutes and is well worth it.
Cheers
Fred
Nice. As I mentioned might need a col – abay – col trip. Have to explore Okanda and would be super cool to go in the boat to Panama….is there spear fishing? is it permitted? Also does Abay have coral reefs for snorkling. let me know. pretty excited again.
Hey Dilla
I will be in Abay from the 07th (morning)thru to the 10th. lets try meeting up…. if your taking the boat to Okanda tell me I will most certainly join. Am trying to organise one thru a friend of mine in Pottuvil.
BTW Fred do you think Lahugala is a worthwhile junket.. bit of a wildlife fan but haven’t been to lahugala in about ten years. But would like to visit the ancient shrine over there.
Lahugala is fine. And it’s open & free, too.
No organized tours. But all ancient places are accessable and open to the public.
Okanda?
My advice is to consult fisher folk from Panama.
PottuVille people might not be aware of latest developments.
Such as the recent ‘incident’ near Panama when a group of Tamil fishermen were found murdered.
This was not reported widely.
And, as usual, there are opposing stories and explanations.
I, as a Sudu, totally neutral in this island’s conflict, feel perfectly safe, anywhere, and go where I want.
You will have to monitor the situation locally with the correctly informed people before you venture out further afield.
hey – is this eraj as in my number 10s brother? if so call me – 0773 686 235. yes, must do lahugala and the boat trip. fred, will buzz you – certaily would like to surf or at least visit all three points (okanda/panama). the east coast is sooooo pretty. i hope it stays the same and not get destroyed through unregulated developement.
fred, for the moment could you tentatively have a van kept for us (8 persons) with surfboards and gear.
met saman from sun n surf today in colombo. nice guy. anyway, eraj do call me.
We leave THURSDAY 7th MAY 2 AM to Arugam Bay
Return SUNDAY 10th MAY 6 PM in Colombo
Have room for 4 people. We split the cost equally – roughly Rs. 3,000.
Call 0773 686 235
Weird taxi’s. I think i am not comfortable to ride that kind of transportation..
Hi All!
Arugam Bay – Trip 3 for the season has been scheduled.
- Departure from Colombo – 3rd July (Friday) 1 AM to reach Arugam Bay by 8 AM (Just early enough for a surf session – sleep in the van if you need to on the way)
- Departure from Arugam Bay – 6th July 3 PM to reach Colombo around 11 PM (ish)
Dilsiri
hi fred,
im very proud about the servise you do to promote tourrism in arugam bay.i have met so many surffers at the air port who are departing.all of them are really glad about the servise you give them in your siam view hotel.
KEEP IT UP.CHEERS………..
regards
SHANA
I am still looking for a seat to Arugam bay.
I will be arriving at Colombo Airport on June 27, 7pm.
Does any Taxi go to Arugam bay around that time ?
Of course I will pay for my share.
Please write me ! Yoshi
yoshiyuki1@hotmail.co.jp
Hi Yoshi,
Thanks for your mail to us at Arugam Taxi.
We advertised your seat request on
http://www.arugam.info
You can see your comment under the “Arugam Bay Taxi” heading.
Hopefully some else will contact you or us to share the ride and costs.
Please let us know if you wish us to provide a suitable taxi for you.
The total cost will be 12,000 Rs./ (approx. 100$) for the round trip.
Shared if others are found of course.
Thanks
Andrew
Arugam Taxi Initiative
Arugam Bay
I’ll arrive as follows; anyone to share the taxi transfer?
EMIRATES – EK 650
SUN 05JUL DUBAI AE COLOMBO LK 0245 0845
BANDARANAYIKE INTL
NON STOP TERMINAL 3 DURATION 4:30
NON SMOKING
RESERVATION CONFIRMED – U ECONOMY
ON BOARD: MEAL
EQUIPMENT:BOEING 777-300
G’Day, thanks for getting back to me.
My flight details are :
Arriving at Bandaranaike International Airport
Saturday 29th August 0715am
Air Asia flight AK255
Departing Bandaranaike International Airport
Friday 4th September 0815am
Air Asia flight AK 256
Regards
Simon
Is there anyone looking to share a cab from Colombo (airport) to Arugam Bay on (or around) 29th July p.m?
Hi,
We’re a couple coming out on the 6th August pm arriving at Colombo and looking to head straight up to A bay with the Jeep taxi or the mini bus if anyone wants to share. We’ve only got one surf board between us.
Forgot to ask for a quote on the price!
Hi.
We two people, arrive colombo on the 16th july on 16.00 (4 pm.) we want to go over to the ara. bay… does somebody goes this way also on the 17th or 18th? so we can share a taxi!
cheers
mangoldsteve@yahoo.com
hi eli, thinking of heading up but not confirmed as yet. will let you know. the last time i went up – i paid LKR 25,000 for the entire trip. Col – Abay – Col. Included having the driver for 5 days staying with us. Did however pay for his food and accomodation. Had 5 people so when we split it it became quite reasonable.
this guy jerry is helpful 0716838338 or shanaka 0776792969.
you can bargain.
hi stefen
there is a taxi to share on 18th of july.
cheers
shana 0094 776 792 969 or 0094 722 159 719
Hi, arriving to Colombo on the 4th late night or the 5th in the morning, anyone interested in shearing a van to get to Arugam Bey?
dear santi,
for now we dont have anybody to share a taxi to arugam bay.
i will let you know as soon as possible if i will be able to find somebody to share.
cheers,
chamila
Salla??? as in Salwatura???
Correct Minz. AKA Arrrrrrrrvinda
Hello all,
the `Arugam Taxi Initiative` didn´t answer my question – maby didn`t get!?
So here again.
I´m looking for taxi sharing CMB -> Abay.
Start from CMB/Negombo
6. to 9.
or
10. to 13.Sept.
hello friedel,
we just recieved your comment. still i dont have anyone to share for those days. but i will definitely inform you as soon as i find someone to share.have a good day.
cheers
chamila
hello Mr.rana,
do you have any drop hires from air port to arugam bay on 6th to 9th or 10th to 13th of september?
if so please put a comment to FRIEDEL
have a good day.
cheers
chamila
dear friedel,
i have checked on your missing mail submissions.please be informed that mail sent from “freenet.de” often have some sort of advertisement attached,like a freenet lottery ect.
perhaps it is unknown to you? the result,however,is that most mail automatically ends up in various spam filters.
this is because the system thinks it is nothing but an advertisement, sent out daily to millions of people.
we suggest telling freenet about it,or change to a better provider.
we recommend gmail,because that seems to be the best we know of at present.
kind regards,
SVH team & AbHa
arugam bay
hello there,
shared taxi available on 15th of august.
are there anyone looking for a shared taxi from the air port to arugam bay on same day?
cheers
chamila
hi all
my girlfriend and i are looking to travel to a-bay on wednesday the 12th and was wondering if there is any cars or mini buses going on this day,we are flexible so any time on wed would be good and we need to know price thanks
hi chris,
of cause we will arrange you a good taxi from air port to arugam bay.
cost – Rs 12000
cheers
chamila
E-Mail received:
2009/8/12 XXXXXXX
I will have transport to Arugam Bay, but I am looking for 2 seats on a trip from Arugam Bay to Colombo on Tuesday the 25th of August. Could you please tell me whether this is available, and if so, what time it would depart and how much would it cost?
Thanks a lot,
J.E.
ABTI Answered:
Dear Miss J XXXX,
Rest assured!
Taxis leave Arugam Bay for Colombo and the airport, every day!
The new established, green terminal is in the very centre of Arugam Bay, located at the #50 SVH, directly opposite #52 Subash Beer Bar (Meena’s).
Return in a good, fully air conditioned van, taxi or minibus with a very polite, safe, approved driver from the airport pool will cost only around 8,000Rs./ or about (70$) (48Euro) (37 Pounds) or less!
But that is for all of you!
Share it to safe costs.
…and protect the environment by saving fossil fuels, for empty trips, too!
Hi Chamila, i’m Marcello. We can share taxi from Colombo to Abay. Arrive in Colombo 15th (at 04.30 )from Frankfurt. And you ?
hello marcello,
yes we are available to share the taxi from air port to arugam bay. but my other client will arrive colombo at 7.15 a.m (morning)
you arrive at 4.30. morning know?
so is that ok for you to wait?
if you would like to go ahead with us please confirm with your flight details.
cheers
chamila
hello ms j.e,
there is another client who is coming colombo from arugam bay on 25th of august.
i will re-confirm with them and will let you know soon.
the cost will be just Rs 12000
cheers
chamila
hi chris,
we have forward your reqest to rana.
i think now you are on the way to arugam bay with rana.
iam sure that you will have a wonderful time in the bay.
have fun….. good day….. take care
cheers
shana & chamila
Hello Chamila, how much cost the passage ? I can wait the other customer. My fly : n. 554 Srilankan airlines (from Frankfurt), arrive in Colombo at 04.30 a.m. august 15th. bye Marcello.
hello marcello,
the cost will be just Rs6000
so then your transport from air port to arugam bay is confirmed.please let me know how many of you are coming.
see you soon. have a safe journey.
take care.
cheers
chamila
Hi Chamila, i travel alone and i have 1 surfboard. How can i understand who pick up me to the exit of the baggage claim ? Thanks Marcello.
hi marcello,
dont worry.shana will be at the air port by the sharp time with your name board. see you soon. take care.
cheers
chamila
hello friends,
now its the best time to spend an unforgettable time at arugam bay.
are you a surf lover…..? then go ahead…….
make a trip to arugam bay now.
you will feel it by your self.
babys can enjoy well in the wonderful natural baby wave pool.
if you visit arugam bay once, you will definitely go for the second time. that is for sure.
so friends, i warmly invite you to visit the famous arugam bay.
arugam bay is looking forward to welcome you all.
cheers
chamila
Hi There,
Am trying to get down to Abay tomorrow morning the 21st of August
Any one interested in joining let me to share the journey let me know on 07755615721
Forgot to say thats from Colombo to Abay – Tomorrow Morn
hi,
iam trying to contact you to arrange a shared taxi. but i cant get connected with you. if you can please just contact me soon.
regards,
shana
Hello Chamila,
thanks for your answer of 8.Aug. and the generell invitation of 17.
Also clever to show the taxi rates up here – all this I think is the right way to get (more) guests to down there.
So me!
My arrival at CMB will be
Sat. 12.Sept. 4.30 a.m. by UL 554.
Please pick me and my bodyboard that I can meet all of you and ride some gently waves.
Maby this (early) booking will help some more travellers to decide to come same day and share
Best regards from Germany
Friedel
hello friedel,
thank you & your welcome.
of cause we will arrange you a good taxi to arugam bay.
yes,i wish we will find some others to share. i think we will be able to find soon. i will try my best to find.
no worries, shana will meet you at the air port by the sharp time with your name board.
looking forward to see you in the bay. definitely you will have a wonderful time.
have a good day. take care.
cheers
chamila
Hello all i arrive on the thursday 10th sept, at 0730, Flight AK 255 Air Asia, travelling with one surfboard, would love to split a ride to A bay.. can wait in Colombo for a couple of days, maybe frediel?
Cheers matt
This is the complete text of the ping back mentioned:
There is a lot of talk about opening up the treasures of Sri Lanka’s neglected east coast (such as Arugam bay/Pottuvil) to the wider world. However one of the biggest obstacles to such a process it getting there. Currently Arugam bay/Pottuvil is a 8 hour drive from Colombo – which doesn’t compare well with the 10-11 hour flying time from Colombo to London. The combination of regular domestic air services to Ampara airport and local entrepreneurs can remove this major logistical hurdle to developing this area.
Ampara airport is not exactly new door to Arugam bay. Yet it is the closest runway accessible via the existing road network. Current transport services such as the AbaY Taxi – which currently specialises in travel from Colombo airport to Arugam Bay – are well placed to make the air bridge viable.
The end of the war has highlighted the pent up demand for domestic aviation services in Sri Lanka. Even the Sri Lanka Air Force has got into the domestic aviation market to fill the demand for flights to Jaffna. Currently it seems that the supply constricted by war time restrictions, and is slow to meet the demand. Jaffna understandably remains the political and economically viable priority. Currently the only arial access to Arugam bay seems to be charters via Deccan Aviation (Lanka) which is not for every pocket.
Hopefully, the entry of further actors into Sri Lanka’s domestic aviation market will make flight affordable, and additional destinations more viable. Arugam bay’s tourism potential, and Ampara airport seems to offers a ready made market for those willing to take the first steps. As with most things in the process will not be so straight forward. Easier access to the wider world will have consequences to the way of life in Arugam bay. Start typing “arugam bay” into google and you’ll notice that among the most popular search term prompts are “arugam bay real estate” and “arugam bay land”. Yet the consequences of peace and the inevitable changes must be faced. Ideally with a calm mind and healthy optimism. On the positive side, the basic ingredients of making getting to Arugam Bay and Pottuvil easier and financially viable already exist.
“Opening up” and easing access may certainly create economical benefits to the area but the inevitable result is a eventual deterioration of the very attractions that make a site a destination. And sadly, sooner than later that economic benefit consolidates in the hands of a few, usually unscrupulous characters. Consider such once beautiful places like N’Eliya and Hikkaduwa during the ’season’ – the chaos, the garbage, the sanitation nightmares, the boorish conduct… of the tourist, we have such a long way to go.
submitted by ‘Sigma”
Good article, good comment, welcome ping back.
In addition it may be added, that there is consideration for some time to open a new airfield close to Arugam Bay itself.
Arugam.info may publish the entire content, as it is relevant to the Bay itself.
A perfect landing strip actually exists already locally, with aircraft approach across the lagoon.
Environmental considerations, however might delay or stall this idea, which would most certainly give a tremendous boost to the neglected region.
Hans
PS.: The Google search reveals results as mentioned, but depending on which Country you’re in. Try to change your location and observe different suggestions.
Pages from Sri Lanka, for example, would be top ranked in S.L. itself – but appear almost nowhere abroad.
the large numbers of tourist certainly has had its impact on places like batti and trico. i ve heard stories of pigeon island been full off people who are damaging the coral and polluting the surroundings with litter. in batticoloa its no better, my diving colleagues were saying that people are selling corals on the road. i go back to what my friend asha – a marine biologist mentioned, that there are some places that are just not for everyone – and we should just keep those places a secret or at least strictly monitored. there are some treasures in our island that needs to be ‘treasured’. if tourism is to be encouraged and development started in places like abay, then lets make sure its done properly with proper planning. anyway, see you on thursday fred.
Hello Matt,
thanks for remembering my mail. From my side you`re very welcome to share the trip. Maby we could pic you at your stay in Negombo/Colombo or you could come back to the airport on 12.September.
But I think the coordination should be and is best practicable by `Abay Taxi´ (shana).
Let`s wait her comment.
Regards
Friedel
P.S.: Thanks for the nice `frediel` – somehow a good nick
hello matt,
you are lucky. friedel likes to share.thats no problem for us. its better if you can come to the air port,otherwise you will have to pay for the taxi from air port to negambo.so then see you on 12th.
how about your transport on 10th from air port to negambo?
if you need i can arrange you a taxi for 10th.
have a safe journey.
shana
anybody looking for a shared taxi on 6th of september…?
I’m looking for transport to Arugam Bay om Sept 10th from Colombo/Negombo and to Colombo on Sept 13th (as I am going tot Trinco the 14th.
of cause its possible to arrange you a good taxi from negambo to arugam bay on 10th.
and also its possible to arrange from arugam bay to colombo.
also we can arrange you transport to trinco on 14th too (if you need)
Hey Shana,
can you mail me your number so I can call you? Or call or sms me, as Fred has my number and he knows that and why I want to visit Arugam Bay. Don’t know if it is wise to put my number here. It will be cheaper or easier to go to Trinco directly instead of returning to Negombo and leaving from there to Trinco again.
Jack
hello jack
0094 776792969 is my number
just let me know when you need transport to arugambay and what time
thanks shana .
That’s great Shana, I’ll be in touch today a.s.a.p. Qatar Airlines managed to forget to take my suitcase with them, so I’m anxiously waiting for it and I can’t set a foot out of my guesthouse in Colombo.
Jack
Hey Jack I fly in early on 10th at 7:30am. Let me know if you want to split a cab I’ve contacted Shana via SMS. Can be picked up from Colombo negombo or airport. Cheers
Hello Chamila and Shana,
count down is running. All OK for Saturday morning (as you promised 21.Aug.)?
Please confirm.
Thanks
Friedel
hi friedel,of cause yes. everything is ready.hey……..???
12th september at 4.30 a.m.
see you soon. have a safe journey. take care
22 Sep, 2009 06:40:04
By W A Wijewardene
Sri Lanka airport taxis: A paradise of rent-seekers
Sept 22, 2009 (LBO) – Rent-seeking, the use of one’s time, knowledge and efforts to earn an income which is not directly contributory to the national wealth, has been frowned upon by economists for many decadesJagdish Bhagwati, Columbia University economist, branded India’s economy as a paradise for rent-seekers when India had everything under control, nicknamed ‘licence raj’, since independence in 1947 to mid 1990s.
He in fact coined the phrase ‘directly non-productive economic activities’ to describe India’s vast-spread rent- seeking economy.
Rent-Seeking is as Harmful as Money Laundering
Like money laundering, rent-seeking too is harmful, injurious and inimical to the good health of an economy.
However, the irony has been that, politicians in both developing and developed countries, while taking action on a global basis to outlaw money laundering, have by word and by deed promoted opportunities for ‘rent- seeking’ in their respective economies.
Hence, the recommendation which mainstream economists often make to policy makers in governments that a full-stop should be placed to rent-seeking if an economy is to grow on a sustainable basis has been largely left unheeded.
Normal Economic Activities
How does rent-seeking differ from normal economic activities? In a number of waysn a normal economic activity, all the people who are involved in the economic activity make a value addition to the activity thereby contributing to create wealth. Hence, the removal of anyone from the process would reduce the value and make it impossible for the activity to take place. In other words, everyone involved in the activity makes his or her living by adding to the value. Therefore, the payment he or she would receive for the services provided is not at the expense of the others.
Take, for example, rice production. Farmers produce paddy by toiling the land and using other types of inputs needed for that.
Millers buy that paddy and mill into rice consumable by consumers.
Wholesalers and transport providers bring that rice to the market and distribute among retailers.
Consumers buy rice from the retailers and enjoy a good rice meal.
All these people add value to rice at every stage and provide an essential service to the process of making it available to the ultimate rice-eaters. The removal of anyone from the process would interrupt its smooth functioning and impose hardships on others in the process.
For instance, if the miller is removed, either the farmer or the wholesaler or the transporter or retailer or the consumer has to mill the paddy before consumption. It is not impossible, but it entails an additional unwanted hardship that each party would impose on himself or herself.
Similarly, the removal of any other person from the process would require the others to devote their time, energy and effort to provide the service given by the removed person. Thus, in normal economic activities, all the people involved are essential, all of them add value to the production and payments received by all of them are fully justified.
Room for Rent-Seeking
How could this smooth economic activity be distorted, giving room for rent-seeking by some?
Suppose, hypothetically, the government makes it necessary for transporters to obtain a ‘transport licence’ to take paddy or rice from one place to another. To issue the licence, the government has to appoint an officer or establish a bureau. To police it, it has to set up road blocks at strategic places and appoint further officers to man them.
Then, it has to strengthen the judiciary and prison services to try and execute punishments on the violators. The salaries paid to all these officers or the costs of running all the bureaus do not add value to production of rice. Hence, they could be removed without affecting the production, transportation and consumption of rice. Since the government’s intervention does not add value to rice production or is not necessary for the process, the costs incurred thereon represent a loss where no one gains meaning a ‘deadweight’ loss and an opportunity for some people to earn a rent.
When people realise that earning this income is easy and convenient, everyone flocks to seek it, thereby creating a rent-seeking economy. Once it becomes wide-spread, it is impossible to dismantle it as has been experienced in many countries.
Though people appear to have been employed and doing a service, they, in fact, do not add anything to the national wealth and live on the wealth created by others. They eventually grow like a parasite that constantly feeds on the body of a person. Once the person is no longer able to sustain, both the person and the parasite will see their end.
The Dangers of Rent-Seeking
That is why economists frown upon rent-seeking and prescribe policies to eliminate it.
It reduces efficiency, induces people to use their resources unproductively for rent-seeking activities, contributes to create an underground economy and promotes money laundering. From a morality point of view, it also leads to immoral and unethical practices on which courts are subsequently called upon to pass judgments. Hence, once an economy becomes a rent-seekers’ paradise, its unproductive activities thrive and its production base dwindles, making it difficult for the economy to sustain itself. Eventually the old glory of the economy will become a matter in the past.
Rent-Seeking at Katunayaka Airport
The writer had a first-hand experience in rent-seeking at the official taxi service operated by the Katunayaka Airport Authorities.
Every airport has a taxi service (some even a coach service or a fast train service) to facilitate air passengers to travel from the airport to their desired destinations. Since most of the planes land in the night and other public transportation services are not available at that time, airports have assured safe, comfortable and convenient travel to passengers through their official taxi services.
In the case of foreigners, the quality of this taxi service is their first impression of a country.
Hence, countries have taken an extra effort to provide a quality taxi service at the airports, so that foreigners have an incentive to visit the country again and again. The countries desiring to promote tourism as a main economic activity have looked after their airport taxi service well. Some notable examples from the region are Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.
Taxi Counter Employs Unnecessary Staff
At the Katunayaka Airport, when one steps out of the Customs Barrier, there is a counter at which a passenger could hire an airport taxi. When the writer approached the counter, there were two male officers behind the counter and both of them were holding their hands to ears speaking on mobile phones.
None of them thought it necessary to service the customer who was now waiting at the counter. After about five minutes, one of the male officers, while still being on the call, waved his free hand to someone inside and a lady officer stepped to the counter to take the order from the writer.
The employment of three officers to write taxi orders at the counter was in stark contrast to the single-person manned taxi counters one could see in many countries. In fact in Singapore, the order writing counter has been completely abolished by creating a ‘taxi queue’ outside the terminal with only one facilitator to direct passengers to the appropriate taxis which also wait in line to receive passengers. The additional people who work at the counter at Katunayaka are, therefore, rent seekers who do not add value to the service and without whose service, the taxi service could well be run.
After the order has been produced on the computer print-out, another person has been employed to escort the passenger to the appropriate taxi along with the order paper. This person’s service appear to be essential, because taxis are not lined up in the order of the orders issued and passengers find it difficult to identify the correct taxi for which the order has been written. But, in a market where the taxis are lined up in some order and the order papers are issued in that order, this additional person’s service is not needed. Hence, though it appears that he is engaged in some service, the taxi service, with proper order of taxis lining up, could be run without him.
What one would find at Katunayaka are not taxis which one would find at other airports. These are simply box-like little vans which do not have air-conditioning and are incapable of smooth driving. On many occasions, in addition to the passengers, drivers too take upon themselves the chance to provide a free ride to their friends who also travel on the same route after completing their duties at the airport. Passengers, though unwilling and reluctant, do not have a choice and acquiesce passively. It raises the important issue of safety of the passengers if the travel is in the night.
Inducements for Private Rent-Seeking
The basic factor is that these box-service operators do not get enough business to sustain themselves. They do not get enough business because they provide a sub-standard service. Hence, the drivers try to negotiate with passengers some private hiring presumably without the authority or the knowledge of the airport authorities. According to the drivers, the box-like vans are owned by private operators who have registered their vans with the airport. Airport authorities too would have succumbed to the pressure from influential parties to register those sub-standard vehicles.
It is, therefore, a full-blown rent-seekers’ paradise at the Katunayaka Airport. But, the bad image which it has created in foreigners and other local passengers cannot be easily removed.
How to Eliminate Rent-Seeking?
The source of rent seeking is governments’ monopoly building in providing services and introduction of rules, regulations, licensing requirements and interventions in the market activities. All these are done by governments in the name of promoting and safeguarding public interest. But, they also generate unintended consequences in the form of breeding rent-seekers living on the wealth created by other productive workers.
Hence, to eliminate rent-seeking, the expansion of the governmental activities has to be stopped, if the governments have already expanded, a greater part of such activities should be handed to private people and if the governments need to handle some of them, they should simulate private sector in running those activities.
In addition, unwarranted rules, regulations, licensing requirements and intervention in the markets should also be dismantled or halted.
The writer is a retired deputy governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. To read previous columns in the series go to the WatchTower section on the main navigation panel or click on the links below.
looking forward for a fantastic season in arugam bay……..
but arugam bay we will never forget you…………………
we are always with you fred……
hope to see you as soon as possible.
cheers
chamila
hi guys,
is there anyone looking to share a cab from Colombo (airport) to A Bay on christmas day, 10am?
Pretty interesting thoughts. You brought up some important ideas that I hadn’t thought of before. I will check back and follow if you write any more updates.
Hi everyone, just wondering if anyone will be arriving in Sri Lanka on the 10th of April and wants to share a ride to A Bay from Colombo airport. Cheers.