Forgiveness in Arugam Bay
Here is the little wave in front of our bungalow taken at about 7:00pm.
Searching. Found a nice little beach break today.
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Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka
Arugam Bay got it all: Traditional Fishing, a 'Baby Pool', The Main Break, Wild life and a bit of Night Life
by Robert Carroll
More than a year since the end of the civil war between the government and the Tamil Tigers, surfing is beginning to blossom in Sri Lanka. Arugam Bay, one of the country’s finest surfing spots, hosted the Sri Lankan Airlines Pro Surf tournament in June.
It was a great success. Arugam Bay consists of a handful of villages on the east coast of the island with the nearby town of Pottuvil providing the bulk of accommodation and supplies.
The website www.arugam.info coordinates a taxi-sharing service to and from the capital’s airport. The main break is a powerful right-hand point break, but there is a wide range of other places to take to the water. Continue reading ‘Top spots where even amateurs can catch a wave’
Arugam Bay (A Bay) is renown as one of the world’s top 10 surf spots but is perhaps less well known for this tree.
Arugam Bay (A Bay) is renown as one of the world’s top 10 surf spots but is perhaps less well known for this tree.
Probably the most photographed in the country there is no apparent reason why it might have grown this way.
Ok back to surfing….
The above pic was taken at The Point…not of me (dream on!) and not by me…which is the main break. It is a long right-hand point/reef break that breaks at the headland from anything between 2 and 6 feet but tends to max out after 6 foot.
Another break is Pottuvil Point…a 15 min tuk tuk ride from A Bay. It is every surfers dream tropical wave. A clean right hand break rolling across the bay towards a long deserted sandy beach dotted with some huge boulders at the waters edge.
The next most popular is Peanut Farm… Continue reading ‘Arugam Bay. Living in Sri Lanka’
(0)….The German Embassy said that a long standing travel advisory had been eased enabling German tourists to visit earlier restricted locations such as Yala National Park and Arugam Bay…..
Sri Lanka is becoming one of the most popular long-haul destinations from the UK, according to The Times of London newspaper.
In an article published yesterday (25) titled ‘Sri Lanka tops the charts for UK tourists on a bargain hunt’ the influential paper says that visits from the UK increased by 51 per cent last month compared with 2009, encouraged by big discounting by airlines and hoteliers striving to win back business.
The story explains that the British travel boom to Sri Lankan is due to “the relative calm restored after decades of bombings and bloody battles with the Tamil Tigers and devastation caused by the tsunami in 2004.” Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka tops charts for UK tourists – Times of London’
Wasantha RAMANAYAKE
The Supreme Court yesterday granted the Attorney General time to obtain instructions in respect of the rights application filed against the bulldozing of two buildings belonging to the Arugambay Samabodhi Viharaya.
Senior State Counsel Lakmali Karunanayake appearing for the Attorney General moved for time to get instructions in respect of the application.
The Court accordingly fixed the case for September 9. The Bench comprised Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayake, Justice K Sripavan and Justice RKS Sureshchandra. Petitioner, Samabodhi Viharaya Chief Prelate Ven. Sivuralumulle Dhammasiri Thera complained to Court that the illegal demolition of the temple was in violation of his rights as well as that of Buddhists in the area.
The petitioner sought the Supreme Court to order the respondents to rebuild the destroyed buildings or in the alternative to order for compensation in Rs. 80 million. Continue reading ‘Viharaya bulldozing case fixed for Sept 9′
The discussion about a new, proposed regional airport serving vibrant Arugam Bay continues.
Is this the possible site for the new Tourist hub?
'Gprdon Boss' former Prawn Farm. A perfect lagoon fronted landing strip?
Flights to Arugam Bay, Pottuvil: Ampara airport a vital hub
by cerno
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 (Air Force Base) 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. Continue reading ‘A regional Airport for Arugam Bay?’
(1)
- View across the Bay
Many Britons looking to travel to Sri Lanka this year should be glad to hear that the British Foreign Office lifted its travel ban restricting travel to Sri Lanka this week. Previously travel was restricted in the northern districts (including Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Kilinochichi and Mannar) because of violent fighting between the government army and the national separatists.
So if tourism is up by 50% to Sri Lanka since this time last year, where is everyone going?
Arugam Bay.
Considered the most traveller-friendly village in Sri Lanka, Arugam Bay is a surfer’s paradise with a touch of Asia. The best waves come in between April and October. Surfers come from all over the world to catch a wave or two from one of the nearby beaches. Everyone else enjoys watching of course, while enjoying local seafood and other local delights.
When tourist season dies down, the village loses its party scene and quiets down. It’s a perfect place for a quieter holiday and a chance to swim in the calm waters. No matter what time of year, there are endless opportunities to see exotic birds, crocodiles and even some elephants.
Little did I know that Sri Lanka is also a completely affordable travel destination as well. Emirates, Kuwait Airways, Kingfisher Airways, among others, fly from London. You can find cheap flights to Sri Lanka for as little as £300. Continue reading ‘Where is everybody going? Arugam Bay!’
(0)Accident scene located on A4 main road 30 Minutes West of Arugam Bay
By U Wijesinghe
The ambulance of the Lahugala rural hospital ran off the road and crashed into a wayside tree causing injuries to a doctor and five others travelling in the vehicle and extensive damage to the ambulance itself.
Wild Elephant on road. File photo
The ambulance was on its way back after transferring a patient in critical condition to the Moneragala General Hospital.
A male nurse and an attendant of the Lahugala hospital, a relative of the patient, and the ambulance driver were among the injured. They were admitted to Siyambalanduwa Base Hospital from where four were transferred to Moneragala General Hospital. The driver said he lost control of the vehicle in his attempt to avoid a wild elephant that was standing on the road. Potuvil police are conducting inquires into the incident.
source:
http://www.dailymirror.lk/print/index.php/news/provincial-news/17693.html
By B.M.Murshideen
A boost for development activities related to tourism in the Ampara district is on the cards with UPFA Parliamentarian and the Chairman of the district coordinating committee Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara taking a keen interest.
During a meeting with the Chamber of Tourism and Industry president A.M.Jaufer in Colombo recently Rear Admiral Weerasekara also said he would take up the matter with Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and international donor agencies to implement suitable proposals.
The end of the war has given a new face to tourism in the Eastern Province. The number of foreign and local visitors coming to Arugam Bay, Passikudah and Nilaveli has increased in the recent past.
Kalkuda in 1983 (file photo)
Over the last weekend I visited the Eastern Province with a group of friends. Having left Colombo at 4.00 in the morning, after almost a seven hour journey, we reached our destination; Arugam Bay.
"Arugam Bay"
By Kanchana Ratwatte
The closest access to this much sought-after surfing beach of Sri Lanka is via Ratnapura, Uda Walawe, Wellawaya, Monaragala, Siyambalanduwa and Pottuvil. While on the way, passing Uda Walawe and Lahugala, we did see quite a few elephants. The road network as in the case of all main roads in the Eastern Province, was well laid out with a new carpet and the drive was one great experience.
As we entered the bustling township, the first observation was the number of tourists that had gathered for the internationally publicized surfing festival which had concluded the previous weekend. Continue reading ‘Kebilitta, Arugam Bay And Kumana’
| By Shelton Hettiarachchi |
| Two westerners who tried to steal rare plants from the Horton Plains national park have been fined Rs. 85,000 each by Nuwara Eliya magistrate S. G. Kariyawasam. A Sri Lankan was fined Rs. 60,000 for helping the couple.
It was revealed that the two Irish nationals had been involved in such thefts during their previous trips to Sri Lanka too. It was alleged that earlier thefts took place in Polonnaruwa, Giritale, Arugam Bay, Siyambalanduwa, Sinharaja and Hakgala national parks.  WARNING! Endemic Plants. Many visitors may not know that there are strict regulations in force in Sri Lanka Park caretaker P U Saranga produced the suspects in court. They were charged with unlawful entry into the park, theft of rare plants and obstructing public officials from carrying out their duties. The two foreigners were identified as Continue reading ‘Arugam Tourists nabbed at Horton’ |
Buddhist monks and people of the area staged a protest today (Aug 02) against the recent destruction of several buildings of Samabodhi Vihara in Arugam Bay.
Protest on the PottuVille side of Arugam Bay bridge
A certain group, aided by Pottuvil Police, had reportedly used bulldozers and razed the buildings 10 days ago, alleges chief incumbent Ven. Sivurumulle Dhammasiri Thera.
Meeting the protestors this morning, DIG R.M. Weerasuriya promised to apprehend the culprits within three days and to renovate the destroyed buildings. Continue reading ‘Protest against destruction at Arugam Bay temple’
Daily News. by Philip Fernando
…… Places like Kalpitiya, Pasikudah, Kuchchaweli, and Arugam Bay-the surfing haven, Yala, Wilpattu, Koneswaran temple in Trincomalee or Unawatuna beach-just to name a few- are entering the tourist lexicon like Banda Aceh or Pattaya Beach…..
Underpinning the tourist revival is the fact that Sri Lanka is emerging a popular destination for many seeking to fill their leisure amidst the country’s idyllic setting. The laid-back and the debonair are being increasingly lured to our shores as an assured place for respite or revelry.
Golden beaches and tropical climate, main tourist attractions. File photo
More importantly, the country’s stunning diversity embodying cultural sites, historical treasures, the sun-drenched beaches and trendy urbane hotels promises it to be a captivating destination.
It is also a fact that professionalism inherently linked to tourism, the new tier in social networking had been well-articulated by Sri Lankans practising this trade. Its vexing demands are met quite competently by thousands who are in it for good.
Sri Lankans seemed quite adept at it now. The long drought brought on by the terror war did not dim their hopes. Continue reading ‘Travel industry poised for a spirited upsurge’
A wave goodbye
Dry Surf lesson at Arugam Bay
Waves are recurring motion. Ever tumbling, ever crashing, forming great peaks before hollowing out in a shower of foam. Their existence evokes a sundry of organic human responses. The human can dominate the wave, or suffer its wrath like a forgotten tissue in a washing machine. Surfers find a thrill from riding a wall of water that has enough power to dwarf them. You know, man versus wild, that sort of stuff.
Surfers get snobby about their waves. Locals protect them, taking all the rides save the odd donation to a sun-burnt tourist in a gesture of charity, or pity. Surfers form some sort of salty secret society, their mandate: to protect their territory. During Sri Lanka’s 30 year war, it was the LTTE Tamil Tigers who took the east coast and ironically, protected it from the cheap exploits of package tourism. It’s the same coast that was devastated by the most powerful wave of all, Tsunami – Japanese for ‘harbour wave.’
Now, the beaches are largely unspoiled and Arugam Bay is a favourite among board riders. Friday nights are spent sitting in the sand with barbequed prawns and a beach fire flicking light on scorched faces… Swedes, Aussies, Spaniards, Germans and Austrians debriefing the day’s biggest catches. It’s an international forum but I think they’re speaking English or maybe it’s some secret jargon you learn at the secret surfer society? Crests, tubes, breaks, impact zones… “Yeah, I had a car once,” I join in.
I decided at once that I wanted to be a part of this club, Continue reading ‘Dry Surf Lessons at Arugam Bay’
(0)By M. Naushad Amit
Sri Lanka, as a global tourist destination, has many wonders on offer to its visitors who come with different plans during their stay in this beautiful pearl shaped island situated in the Indian Ocean. Within Sri Lanka itself, there are many holiday destinations which are popular among local and foreign tourists alike. But the unspoiled beachfront of Arugam Bay is a beautiful location yet to be explored by holidaymakers.
Arugam Bay. A popular Surf Destination
Though Arugam Bay is gradually picking up in popularity among the locals as an infrequent getaway, it has been a surfing haven for foreigners for three decades. Even during the peak of the 30-year long ethnic war that affected tourists arrivals, Arugam Bay catered to many foreigners, especially surfers, who found the waves there a special treat to their surfing ‘needs’.
Arugam Bay, which is located near Pottuvil in the country’s east coast, is rich in bird life and wildlife in the surrounding jungles, wetlands and lagoons nearby. Being an area with links to ancient kingdoms, there are many remnants in the jungle from old Buddhist culture. Just outside Pottuvil, behind the dunes, are excavations of a 2000-year-old temple, the Modu Maha Vihare. About 3,500 people live in and around Arugam Bay. It consists of three small villages, where fishing and farming are the main livelihoods. Since Arugam Bay is reputed to be one of the world’s best surfing points, the number of foreign surfers to visit the location has increased. To meet the demands, many in Arugam Bay have shifted their interest and trades into tourism. Though the area lacks luxury hotels, the limited number of beachfront resorts and cabanas provide the best in tourist hospitality.
Ranga of Beach Hut fame
Comfort Zone
One such resort with a difference is ‘Ranga’s Beach Hut’, where guests get to enjoy a totally new experience in hospitality. Ranga’s Beach Hut which is located at two different places neighbouring each other, is owned by Continue reading ‘Ranga’s ‘Shorepiece’’
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