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| Sunday, 15 May 2005 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Yala Village where nature abounds from Elmo Leonard in Yala
The Yala Village (hotel) is but a wee human oasis in the deep unexplored south of the island's virgin forests. This locale, uninhabitated by man for centuries, nests in Sri Lanka's largest animal sanctuary, the Yala National Park. Here, is the abode of the many herds of elephants, abundant deer, wild boar, leopard, crocodile, peacock, jungle fowl, water monitor, buffalo, bear - making up 38 species of animal life. The bird life consists of many species of stork and crane, owl, mynah, magpie, kingfisher, flamingo, indigenous and migratory species, numbering so many, it takes the number of identified feathered friends, here, to 141, according to the experts. And, as if viewing the animals is insufficient, the Yala National Museum, within the sanctuary offers more. Here, is spread 61 air-conditioned luxury cottages within acres of pristine jungle land, making up one hotel.
What is more - the Yala Village suffered no damage consequent to the tsunami because its natural barriers had not been touched by man. The naturally occurring and surprisingly high sand bars kept out the tsunami waters from entering the surrounding land with any force. Then there are natural rock formations all around this land, near, to far away from the sea. The 9.5 Richter scale tsunami was also checked by the jungle of trees making it another natural forest barrier, as I saw it. Twenty years ago, entrepreneur Abeyapala Perera came here. This nature lover was perturbed that a leopard had been shot. He befriended the Department of Wildlife, the police and all other authorities and persuaded them to stop the carnage of animals, with great success that prevails even today. "We refused to be star classed" chairman, Abeyapala Perera said. For, being classified as an Environmentally Friendly Hotel, (here by the Ceylon Tourist Board) carries more weight among connoisseurs of tourism worldwide. And this self-same environmental alliance, recognised in paper has been fanatically observed, here. Even when building the swimming pool, the trees were spared, so much so that the pool bears three islets with trees. Local wood is used nowhere in the construction of this hotel and everything in timber comes from Canada, with a Canadian being a partner in this hotel. The female wild boar answers the name Gilbritz, called by foreigners and Gilpit by locals, visits the bar every night and children are told not to go too close to it. Now, Arnold is the new visitor male wild boar and, the tusker Gamunu comes to the poolside by night to eat what is thrown and ascertain the improving bond of friendship between man and beast. Children are fascinated by comely hares which hop through the village. Loud music is not allowed, or "blowing one's trumpet, unless one is an elephant," for it would shew away the animals. Rather, the norm of entertainment is wildlife films. Even the water has to be brought into this virgin jungle, which lies 250 kilometres from Colombo. Electricity generated is by practically noiseless generators. Over 2,000 years ago, and going back into prehistoric times, there is evidence that irrigation based civilisations flourished here with the presence of giant tanks spread far and wide. The Great, Dutugamunu had his kingdom not far from here, before the jungle tide reclaimed the land. Legend says that the rocks carved out into steps, as the name Padigama suggests, was a monastery where aesthetic monks had their abode. All this, and much more is fascinatingly here for the local and foreign tourist to explore. The observation tower, billiards, the bar, satellite television, bicycle rides, safari bird watching tours and lake fishing makes the visitor sad to think of re-entering the 21st century. |
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| Produced by Lake House |
The Yala village is just 18 months old. It is a catastrophe that tourists
largely shun it, fearing another tsunami, when its pre-tsunami occupancy
rate was 100 percent. For one thing, if there is to be another tsunami,
there definitely will be an early warning. 
