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| Sunday, 27 March 2005 |
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Editorial
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African style camp huts in game forests by Elmo Leonard Camp huts in Africa's game sanctuaries as a form of tourist dwellings are now being adopted in Sri Lanka. The site is Kiuwala Kelle, north-west of the island in the outskirts of the Wilpattu and Mundel lagoons. The man behind the move is nature-lover Sidanth Elikewela who called his concept a `permanent tented safari camp site.'
The location is a dry zone shrub jungle with unpolluted waterways and hardly a human in sight, other than in the teak plantations of this place. The African concept of huts in game sanctuaries has evolved with time. The Sri Lankan concept is just off the ground and has to take into account the indigenous fauna and flora, waterways, climatic conditions and related phenomena. When the natives say that around 300 families live in the village of Kiuwala Kelle, it could be misleading, for the indigenous people are scattered in pockets and their concept of a village covers a vast expanse. The highly elusive animals remain so, to escape the bullet of the native who supplements his meagre income with the gun, making this place known for shot-games. The natives were chena farmers, but little of it is seen here, today, leaving more land for the use of animals, but, teak plantations are also taking its share of the terrain. The rains no longer come on the due date and farming of rice, wheat or any other crop is difficult to undertake, people in the area said. The natives favour development, for the job opportunities it affords, but, by and large, man and nature still strike a balance here. The insects, amphibians and nocturnal birds take over the night. Each species adds its style of melody to the percussion band of the night. The insects, some never seen by urban dwellers are best kept out by knocking off the lights or placing a lamp and candle light far away. There are many species of nocturnal birds which do not take to the skies but make their presence known by singing in the bushes. The day birds are the peacock, Ceylon jungle fowl, the white crane, thrush species and many more. The wild boar, deer, large land monitor or kabaragoya the rabbit and hare, the polecat and others live side by side. Snakes are difficult to come by. Elephants are seen far away, they say. Going at the wrong time of the year one misses the teeming, flip and flip butterfly. The developers prefer to call the locale, Mahakumbukkadawala, being another name in this place. It's 30 kilometres from the beach as the crow flies. Mahakumbukkadawala is close to the 2002, internationally declared Ramsa wetland and is overlooked by the Department of Wildlife. Not far away is the Wilpattu National Park and the Kala Oya estuary. There are six tents with insect free coverings. Two of the tents have four single beds. Solar power is the source of energy. Water on tap and modern toilet facilities are ensured. To wine and dine you have to come to the dining restaurant as is the norm in the African concept. The chef purchases the produce of the natives. Sri Lankan meals is the norm but on request, western cuisine is provided. The locals like to add their cuisine and thal kiri made from the pulp of the palmyra fruit is a delicacy, here. Vanik, better known as money brokers is into tourism and the place is promoted by its subsidiary, Tourist Lanka Ltd. A swimming pool is in the pipe line. Excursions with guides will also be added. Ten kilometres of difficult motorable road has to be covered to reach this 12-acre site. Emirates records impressive growth by Hiran H.Senewiratne Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline recorded an impressive growth in passenger and cargo handling in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is an integral part of the Emirates network. Our growth over the years has been reflected in the increasing passenger and cargo movement on this route, Emirates Senior Vice President Commercial Operations- West Asia and Indian Ocean Nabil Sultan said. He said that the airline recorded a 40 per cent growth in passengers handling and 30 per cent in cargo handling. Colombo is the fourth office in the whole network of Emirates, he said. He said that the airline flies to more than 70 destinations in the world and they would increase their frequencies at least once a month. Statistics from the Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai International Airport indicate that 148,280 travellers from Sri Lanka arrived in Dubai in 2003. Area Manager Sri Lanka and the Maldives Tissa Bibile said that Emirates
has set very high standards for service and passengers. |
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