Resurgence in the East:

Impetus to growth in tourism

By Shirajiv SIRIMANE in Arugam Bay

Chairman Pradeshiya Sabha, Abdul Wazeeth

It is said that tourism is the second biggest industry in the world after oil; several countries totally depend on the industry for their existence.

In Sri Lanka too, tourism is one of the top five foreign exchange earners. In Arugam Bay too, tourism is making a tremendous positive impact on the community.

Pottuvil has been an area which had undergone many misfortunes; it was first battered by a devastating cyclone and saw heavy LTTE movement. The tsunami too took away several thousand lives, plunging the area in deeper misery. It also completely washed off the Arugam Bay bridge, cutting off transport links with other main cities.

However, with the dawn of peace, the fabric of Pottuvil too started to change. One of the first priorities was to re-build the bridge with the assistance of US Aid and today it is one of the icons in the area.

The new bridge which runs parallel to the old one, comprises two sections measuring 160 metres each, and offers user-friendly features such as protected pedestrian walkways.

The project also includes 900 metres of paved access roadway and a water supply system for the Arugam Bay area.

This Rs. 4.2 billion rehabilitation of the 78km road from Siyambalanduwa to Akkaraipattu is another landmark project in the Eastern coastal region, slowly emerging from the destruction caused by the tsunami and the decade-long war against terrorism. Funded jointly by the European Union and the Asian Development Bank, the project was completed and handed over to the Road Development Authority in late 2010, one month ahead of schedule.

Concrete bridge

Arugam Bay bridge

The road was rehabilitated with the use of Double Bituminous Surface Treatment. The project also involved the construction of a three-span, 75m reinforced concrete bridge at Sinnamohattuwaram and a five-span, 125m reinforced concrete bridge at Periamohattuwaram.

Projects initiated under the Negenahira Navodaya Program (Re-awakening of the East) are being fully implemented, bringing a multitude of benefits to the communities in the province.

Power supply and communications were some of the gray areas which have been addressed. Today, in addition to the uninterrupted power supply WiFi too is freely available in several hotels.

With the ending of battles, the Government invested heavily to re-build the North and the East with several billions of rupees being infused in to the process.

Several programs such as Uthuru Wasanthaya, Neganahira Navodaya, Divi Neguma, Gama Neguma and Maga Neguma were implemented, helping rebuild the lives of the people in the area.

Chairman, Pradeshiya Sabha Pottuvil, M.S. Abdul Wazeeth said that they have finances at their disposal and they are currently coordinating the implementation of several projects which had so far been ignored.

One of the priorities was to uplift the living standards of the people in the area and the Ministry of Economic Development is assisting them in this regard. Under the Gama Neguma program, Rs.260 million has been allocated for two years to build toilets in schools and provide other basic facilities for nearly 40,000 families.

Self-employment

In addition, nearly nine million rupees was provided for 27,000 families to commence self-employment projects. This is very successful and today many families have been benefited.

Under the Samurdhi program Rs. 8.4 million was distributed among recipients in the last two years, further helping the families.

With the North and East Local Authority Development plan being implemented, a further boost came their way with Rs. 110 million being allocated for two years. "We hope to build a bus stand which is a priority and also implement several other projects," he said. The Urban Development Authority will be in charge at the building.

Another project they are planning is a modern Pradeshiya Sabha building and an 80-perch land is earmarked in the heart of the town.

Wazeeth also said that they have to build a new market as well since the existing market is badly planned with people refusing to go there. "A public ground too is to be built as the area is oozing with talent especially in cricket, volleyball and football," he said.

Surfers in Arugam Bay The communications tower The water supply system

The fishing activities in the area are improving and today there are over 300 boats. The industry is the third revenue generator for the area after paddy cultivation and animal husbandry.

He, however, said that the base hospital badly needs the services of a surgeon and authorities should address this problem.

"Also employees and drivers of the Pradeshiya Sabha have not been made permanent for over seven years," he lamented. An ice plant too should be built to assist the fishing community as dry ice is currently transported from Colombo.

Plans are under way to develop the Heda Oya with an investment of Rs. 400 million which would help double the area's paddy cultivation.

"We only work in one season as there is no water for irrigation," he said.

With the hosting of the SriLankan Pro Surfing Championships, Arugam Bay is being freely marketed globally and this would bring in more tourists to the area.

International surfers

Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka's exotic southeast coastline, opened itself to 96 top world surfers from 19 countries spanning Argentina, Peru, USA and across the globe to New Zealand, to compete in the pro surfing contest held in association with Australasia's Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP). The event concludes today.

It is the second consecutive ASP event to be held in Sri Lanka. For the first time, there were more world class women surfers, riding the Arugam Bay waves.

"We already have around 3,000 visitors daily for the event and this is helping the cottage industries of the area," he said.

New hotels are being built and today there are nearly 1,000 beds including a star class hotel with a swimming pool.

Two more star class hotels are to be built in the next two years. Under the 'home stay' concept residents have released one room from each home for tourists, earning them additional revenue during the surfing championships.

A 10-metre buffer zone is to be implemented with unauthorised structures to be demolished, clearing the beach for both local and foreign visitors. Fishing vessels would be moved to the north of the beach.

A car park was opened last week, a move which was welcomed by the visitors to the area.

Tourism in the area is rapidly developing and the landscape of Pottuvil is fast changing, showing signs of becoming Sri Lanka's 'Bali resort'.