 Basking in the Sun at Beruwela beach
by Nilma Dole
The soft powdery beaches of
Beruwela are not only clean but warm and inviting to any tired tourist.
Crossing the seven seas in order to get to our destination, the
foreigners from the cold countries bask in the Sri Lankan sun, happy
that they can finally get their dream tan.
In ensuring that every tourist gets the peace and quiet they deserve,
the Riverina hotel in Beruwela together with the Responsible Tourism
Partnership rehabilitated the so-called Beach boys into Beach Operators.
 The Beach Community Tourism project that was started about three
years ago has gained considerable success in the years with many of the
local community.
Earlier there were problems with beach boys for they did sometimes
harass the tourists but today, with the project tackling issues at the
grassroots level, it is like a breath of fresh air. We now don’t have to
worry about beach boys shouting ‘Joduwak awilla’ and we can go to them
for any tourist service we need. Speaking to Sunday Observer magazine
was Nimal Sangakkara, the general manager of Riverina hotel who said
that they employ nearly 400 staff, most of whom are from the community
itself.
“We make sure that the tourists enlist the services of the local
taxis and drivers and the beach operators,” said Sangakkara. Riverina
hotel is the largest resort hotel outside Colombo with 192 rooms that
were all booked when we went there. “In fact, the rapport with the beach
operators and tourists are so good that the foreigners have invested in
properties here and have even married our locals” he said.
The general manager explained, “We are more concerned of the needs of
the tourists because it is they who make our destination popular. After
we initiated the project, we are happy to say that there have been
plenty of repeat clients coming to Sri Lanka just for the Riverina
experience and now we will refurbish the hotel too.” Responsible Tourism
Partnership sociologist Sujith Yamasinghe, who went to the beach huts
and spoke fearlessly with the beach boys to reform them to beach
operators said, “Now that we have the trust of the tourists, we hope to
incorporate a sense of culture to make their holiday complete.” By
revealing more about our Sri Lankan side, we are making the typical
foreigner an admirer and friend of Sri Lanka.
So as we relax our aching legs and soak up the Sri Lankan sun, we are
rest assured that the beach operators will help us find that ideal place
to eat, good boatsman to take us on a mangrove boat ride and also make
us experience the lovely Sri Lankan culture. If you’re a tourist on the
lookout for a hotel that gives back to its local community, then come to
Riverina! |
