Archive for the 'press coverage' Category

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Viharaya bulldozing case fixed for Sept 9

Published on 27/08/2010 in Culture, From our own Correspondent, Money Matters, Religious, Security & Safety, accomodation, cabanas, front page, hotels, people, press coverage, restaurants, services and the bay. 1 Comment

Wasantha RAMANAYAKE

Daily News Online

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′

Where is everybody going? Arugam Bay!

Published on 10/08/2010 in Arugam Surf Club, Blogs, Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, Traveler's Reports, front page, people, press coverage and the bay. 0 Comments

Sri Lanka travel ban lifted

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!’

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Wild elephant cause of A4 main road accident

Published on 05/08/2010 in Security & Safety, Traveler's Reports, front page, people, press coverage and wild life. 3 Comments

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

Boost for tourism in the East

Published on 05/08/2010 in Money Matters, front page, press coverage and services. 0 Comments

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)

Continue reading ‘Boost for tourism in the East’

Kebilitta, Arugam Bay And Kumana

Published on 03/08/2010 in Blogs, Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, From our own Correspondent, Historical sites, Religious, Security & Safety, accomodation, front page, guesthouse, press coverage, restaurants, the bay and wild life. 0 Comments

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’

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Arugam Tourists nabbed at Horton

Published on 03/08/2010 in front page, people, press coverage and wild life. 0 Comments
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’

Protest against destruction at Arugam Bay temple

Published on 02/08/2010 in From our own Correspondent, Historical sites, Religious, Security & Safety, front page, people and press coverage. 1 Comment

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’

Travel industry poised for a spirited upsurge

Published on 29/07/2010 in Arugam Bay Surf Club, Arugam Surf Club, Arugambay Surf Club, Blogs, Culture, Historical sites, Money Matters, accomodation, bars, cabanas, front page, guesthouse, hotels, people, press coverage, restaurants, services and wild life. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

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’

Ranga’s ‘Shorepiece’

Published on 25/07/2010 in Blogs, Traveler's Reports, accomodation, cabanas, front page, guesthouse, people, press coverage, restaurants, surf, the bay and wild life. 3 Comments

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’’

Help to find my brother at Arugam Bay

Published on 22/07/2010 in AbTa News, Blogs, front page, people, press coverage and the bay. 0 Comments

A few days ago, while perusing Surfermag.com’s bulletin board for news, and doing some research for the New York Times on Tsunami survivors, I found the post that Tanner at Reef posted about Marcelo Bengoechea. Marcelo’s brother Fernando, a well-known New York photographer and an adventure travel addict went missing in Sri Lanka after literally being hit while sleeping in his bungalow at the Stardust Hotel in Arugam Bay. As many of you may know, Fernando was staying at Arugam, a place with an excellent series of right hand waves, with Nate Berkus — Oprah Winfrey’s favorite interior decorator.

Marcelo Bengoechea

Here are excerpts of the conversation. Marcelo by the way, is the creative director at Reef Brazil. If anyone reading this is in Sri Lanka, and can help him find his brother, you’d sure go a long way in bringing some peace to a hell of a nice guy, and a mightily distraught family… Chris Dixon

From Marcelo Bengoechea:

“Fernando, he’s a fashion photographer and lives in New York. Does interiors and location photograpy. He’s very well known. He’ s done a lot of lifestyle shots for Reef too. Not the girl’s butts, but the product shots.”

“He was in Sri Lanka staying at the Stardust Hotel in Arugam Bay. The place is very well known and has an excellent righthand wave. One of the latest issues of Transworld Surf says “Big Sri Lanka”, and they talk about that place in particular. The website of the resort is www.arugambay.com.”

“He was on a vaction trip. He’s not as hardcore a surfer as me — so he doesn’t have to carry a board with him wherever he goes, but if there were waves, I’m sure he was surfing.”

“He planned to be in Sri Lanka for Christmas and New Years. I’m not sure if he’d actually been there before. He’s been a photographer and an adventurer — he’s traveled extensively to very remote locations. I don’t know anybody who has traveled more than my brother, and I know a lot of surfers. He’s got so many free air miles, he was always going places.”

When asked what Nate Berkus had told him, he replied:

“I actually talked to Nate. They were swept away by the wave together. From his own mouth, he told me that they were woken up in the water. They were staying in a bungalow right on the beach. They were hit first and got swept out, and between the first and second wave, there was about a 20 second lapse and they were able to grab onto a telephone pole. They thought, ‘it’s over, it’s over’, and that’s when the second wave hit them. Nate was able to climb onto a roof and my brother was swept into the lagoon and the jungle area.”

“The hotel was on a strip between the ocean and the lagoon. My brother was swept over into the lagoon and that’s the last time he was seen. His friend was lucky enough to have been in an area with an international cellphone and they were able to start a search.”

“Authorities are searching for everybody they can find alive. I contacted a person who’s looking exclusivelly for my brother. He’s in the area doing that. The search only happens during the day. There’s no power, no electricity, no lights and no communication. The guy has a satellite phone and I’m doing all sorts of research on the Internet. I’m pretty much putting as many descriptions on as I can. I went on CNN and they work worldwide. That’s why I put the posting on Surfer too. Maybe international surfers who are in the are, or who have been there… I’m just reaching out to surfers. I assume that maybe if you even have a surfboard in that area you’ll paddle around and look for my brother. I’m just reaching out to as many people as I can.”

When asked how he and his family was holding up, he replied:

“It’s tough. Being so far away, there’s not much you can do aside from watch TV and the Internet. We all come from Argentina. My family is there. I have a sister and another brother, but Fernando is an American citizen, which helps the search. We’re just all in touch as much as we can be. We believe in him. Knowing Fernando — he’s a great athlete — surfer, scuba instructor. Physically, he’s able to do whatever it takes. He’s been to remote locations and gone feral a number of times. We believe that if he did not die from the power of the wave, he might be lost in the jungle and unable to communicate. He’s strong, he’s smart and he knows survival techniques well enough that he could survive in the jungle. That’s an isolated area. There’s just nothing around there. So we have every reason to hope.”

“You know, it’s a crazy story when you actually know someone who has been in that situation. It’s unbelievable. I still don’t believe it.”

If anyone has any leads, Marcelo’s email is: marcelo.b@reef.com. Otherwise, send a prayer his way.

Go to Surfermag.com Message Board thread regarding Fernando.

An NYTimes Article on Victims, including Fernando
Off the Runway, and in Disaster’s Path CLICK HERE.

The Fernando and Nate Blog
Most Updated Information CLICK HERE.

source:

http://www.surfermag.com/features/findfernando/

Walking that walk

Published on 20/07/2010 in Blogs, Culture, Historical sites, Religious, front page, people, press coverage, stop over Ideas, the bay and wild life. 0 Comments

Arugambay:

In July, every year, pilgrims walk tru Arugam Bay on their way to Kataragama

With the end of the war, bigger crowds have joined the annual Pada Yatra, says Patrick Harrigan

Many pilgrims walk through the Surfer's resort of Arugam Bay

Earnest devotees of Kataragama by the thousands—hailing from all communities but especially Tamil Hindus—are now undertaking the annual Pâda Yâtrâ or foot pilgrimage through Yala National Park to Kataragama for this month’s Esala festival that started on July 12.

Just passing out of Arugam Bay

With decades of fear and uncertainty swept away, this year more devotees are walking than at any time in living memory, possibly even more than in 2004 when Wildlife Department officials counted over 30,000 pilgrims entering Yala East National Park on the final 70-kilometre stretch from Okanda to Kataragama.

A totally unspoiled Countryside lies ahead. Arugam Bay to Kataragama

The first waves of pilgrims all up and down the east coast have already arrived to Okanda Murugan Kovil in Yala East where tens of thousands are pausing to rest and worship before entering Yala Strict Natural Reserve on the long jungle trek to Kataragama.

The Kataragama Pâda Yâtrâ traditionally starts from points in the Jaffna peninsula like Nallur and Selva Sannidhi Murugan kovils, from where the pilgrimage may take up to two months to reach Kataragama. This year for the first time since 2005, a few souls are walking the full distance, joined along the way by a few more from Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, and Trincomalee districts. Continue reading ‘Walking that walk’

Youngsters from Arugam Bay swap fishing for surfing

Published on 18/07/2010 in Arugam Bay Surf Club, Arugam Surf Club, Arugambay Surf Club, Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, From our own Correspondent, Kitesurf, Surf Federation News, Surf competition, Wind Surf, front page, people, press coverage, surf and the bay. 0 Comments

From fighting the waves to riding them
By M Naushad Amit

Sri Lanka has some excellent up-and-coming professionals in the sports field who are making a name for themselves as players, trainers and coaches. Cricket and rugby top the list while many in the track and field sports have also come into the limelight recently.

Arugam Bay Surf Club

Strangely a bunch of youngsters from Arugam Bay are on the verge of swapping their traditional profession of fishing to take up to surfing, an internationally popular sport hitherto alien to Sri Lanka and confined mainly to occasional glimpses of foreign events on television.
The Arugam Bay surfing break which was recognised by the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), the global governing body in surfing has now developed to be a popular destination for international surfers. Many in Arugam Bay who were battered by the ethnic war and the raging tsunami are now gradually picking up the threads of their shattered lives and moving on by taking to surfing along with the unceasing number of international surfers who come here on training or holiday.

To cater the demands of the tourists who come to stay in Arugam Bay for long periods, a young set of surfing enthusiasts took the initiative of forming the Arugam Bay Surf Club (ABSC) seven years ago. At the beginning these youngsters only knew to balance their body weight on a surfing board with their natural talent to swim. But during this period the ABSC has grown to become a dominant force in surfing in Sri Lanka.
“When we began seven years ago we knew nothing on surfing. We had only ten members then who knew to swim well but had no idea of how to handle a surf board. As years passed by our boys learned a great deal on surfing through the huge number of international surfers who came down to Arugam Bay. Now our membership has grown to 35 and all are equally talented,” Krishantha Ariyasena the secretary of ABSC told The Nation.
The ABSC were further boosted by a group from England who had come down to uplift the living standards of the people of Arugam Bay after the devastating tsunami. The group ‘Paddle for Relief’ headed by Tim Tanton consisting great surfing enthusiasts promoted Arugam Bay to the outside world as an ideal surfing destination while engaging in social welfare work. The local surfers who used to train on borrowed surfers were presented two brand new surf boards by Tanton’s Group.
“Tim and his group were really behind our efforts in promoting surfing among the local youngsters here. Over the years they helped us in many ways and we also came to know a lot of foreign friends through them,” Krishantha added.

The ABSC who are now affiliated to the Surfing Federation of Sri Lanka has become a leading club in the sport by holding many locally organised events throughout the country. But their greatest break in surfing came during late June with the SriLankan Airlines Pro Surfing 2010, a six-star event recognised and organised by the ASP. Sri Lanka was presented two wild card entries and through a qualifying championship the local surfers from Arugam Bay won the slots to represent Sri Lanka along with over 100 professional and international surfers. The ASP officials were really impressed by the local talent who competed without less technical knowledge.
“This was the greatest moment for us at ABSC. AH Milan and WL Asanka from our club won the wild card slots for the event. Continue reading ‘Youngsters from Arugam Bay swap fishing for surfing’

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A journey through the wilderness: Lahugala

Published on 12/07/2010 in Historical sites, people, press coverage and wild life. 0 Comments

A lone Elephant in Lahugala near (Arugam Bay)

It was around 4.30 pm when a group of us passed through the gates and entered the Lahugala National Park. The evening light was casting shadows on the ground and the large trees and foliage were shading our path. As the vehicle drove forward I could not help but feel that I was truly entering the wilderness.

Words Udeshi Amarasinghe Photographs Mahesh Bandara

The Lahugala National Park was opened to the public recently, therefore the tranquillity of an untouched environment still prevails. The roads are still rough and newly cut with an occasional branch or two barring the way. Continue reading ‘A journey through the wilderness: Lahugala’

Alan Stokes and Beth Mason win the Arugam Bay Champion of Champions

Published on 07/07/2010 in Arugam Bay Surf Club, Arugam Surf Club, Arugambay Surf Club, Blogs, Surf competition, front page, people, press coverage, surf and the bay. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

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Arugam Bay Champion of Champions winners

Alan Stokes at Arugam Bay

The weeks Sri Lanka Champion of Champions Surf Contest saw two new champions, some great weather and perfect conditions. UK Pro Surf Tour Champion Alan Stokes from Newquay and Welsh Champion Beth Mason showed stunning form in 3 to 4 ft conditions to take the top spots on the podium at one of the year’s most prestigious contests.

Organised by the UK Pro Surf Association (UKPSA), the event saw one of the largest ever entries with over 50 contestants travelling from all over the world to bid for this major title at Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka. Continue reading ‘Alan Stokes and Beth Mason win the Arugam Bay Champion of Champions’

When they surf expressed!

Published on 04/07/2010 in Arugam Bay Surf Club, Arugam Surf Club, Arugambay Surf Club, Blogs, From our own Correspondent, Surf Federation News, Surf competition, front page, people, press coverage, surf and the bay. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

by Nilma Dole
The Coolum-born 21 year-old Australian endured many a wave and stride to come out clean with a good score of 14.33 that saw him win over 19 year-old American Nat Young in the Sri Lankan Pro Surf Tournament 2010 held in ARUGAM BAY

THIS IS THE SPIRIT OF ARUGAM

Hailing from a family where surfing runs through their veins, Julian is a down-to-earth surfer with a wave of a charisma that shows that you don’t need a big surfboard to win big. He said, “Sri Lankan surfers do have the potential to make it big because the Arugam Bay waves are first-class and are great to practice on.”

2010 Winner. Best Surfer Julian

Winning Sri Lanka’s first ever 6 star rated Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) SriLankan Airlines Pro tournament in awesome style, the surf went up 4 to 6 feet surf on the day of the finals. Continue reading ‘When they surf expressed!’

Surfs up in Arugam Bay

Published on 04/07/2010 in Environmental, Kitesurf, Money Matters, Security & Safety, Surf Federation News, Surf competition, people, press coverage, services, surf and the bay. 0 Comments
By David Stephens
For several years Arugam Bay and the surrounding town of Pottuvil found their development strangled by the turbulence of a bitter civil conflict as well as the carnage of a devastating Tsunami. Now with both tragedies buried in its past, the area is gradually becoming one of the world’s premier surfing destinations.

There was ample evidence to support this claim when Arugam Bay’s strong waves played host to the Sri Lanka Airlines Pro Surf event last week. The week long tournament drew in some of the world’s best known surfers from countries as far flung as South Africa, UK, USA and Hawaii. The event organizers, The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), had previously held the competition in the Maldives but had always eyed Arugam Bay as a potential location.

“We were waiting to hold this event here for a very long time, but the war was a major obstacle. Now that it’s over, and after seeing what a success this tournament has become, we plan on bringing it to Arugam Bay annually,” ASP Australasia Tour Manager, Dane Jordan explains. Continue reading ‘Surfs up in Arugam Bay’