The foamy shores of Kalpitiya - a sight to behold:

Tourist boom on the East coast

By Naalir Jamaldeen

Domestic tourists on the beach

Two joy boat operators

Tourists relax

The beautiful, foamy waves surrounding the country continued to strike the shores even during trouble times but since tourists both domestic and foreign were hard to come by , they struck the shores and receded as usual with no one to admire their beauty. Now once again since tourism in Sri Lanka has hit the headlines there is a tourist wave in these areas.

Domestic tourism has boomed in line with international tourism. The Government has made efforts to promote international and domestic tourism. Passikudah, Punnakkudah and Arugam Bay in the Eastern coast have turned into major tourism hubs. Kalpitiya will be a major tourist destination soon.

Kalpitiya is situated 150 km north of Colombo, the Kalpitiya region is one of the most beautiful coastal areas in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. Kalpitiya is a peninsular that separates the Puttalam Lagoon from the Indian Ocean and is a marine sanctuary with a diversity of habitats ranging from bar reefs, flat coastal plains, salt pans, mangroves swamps, salt marshes and vast sand dune beaches.

The Tourism industry is turning it into a main income source while generating a large number of direct and indirect employment.

Sri Lanka's biggest Tourism development project, the Kalpitiya Tourism Promotion Zone, got off the ground when 'Dutch Bay Resorts' laid the foundation stone for an 80-villa luxury resort in Kalpitiya, recently.

One of the leading hotel chains in the world, Six Senses Group will manage this property which would be one of Sri Lanka's most expensive hotels stamping investor - confidence for the industry. Dutch Bay Resorts would be investing US $ 175 million for the project with $ 75 million being invested for the phase one which includes the construction of 75 luxury boutique chalets. In addition the property would include a Spa Club, Floating Restaurants and a helipad where tourists could land after touching at the Colombo Air port, SLTDA sources.

Tourism in Sri Lanka began to blossom since mid 2009 witnessing a rapid surge in the arrival of tourists.

The Economic Development Ministry with the private sector initiated a program of doubling the hotel room capacity to 45,000 by 2016 over the current 22,745 to accommodate 2.5 million arrivals by that time under this Tourism Development Strategy.

Elimination of terrorism removed all barriers which remained in the improvement and promotion of tourism industry in the international level.Tourist attractions like Passikudah, Punnakkudah and Arugam Bay which had been abandoned due to LTTE attacks is nowd to normal providing various recreational facilities to tourists. Nilaveli, Kuchchaveli areas will also be developed into tourism sites.

The SLTDA has planned to implement certain tourism promotion programs in the North and the East. Now the SLTDA is in the process of identifying suitable locations in the North, he said. The SLTDA will provide no infrastructure facilities for investors. They should develop everything including infrastructure facilities. Road development activities will be carried out by the RDA and other development works within the resort site will be developed by the relevant investors.

The target tourist arrival by 2016 is 2.5 million by 2016. The specific strategies related to tourism sector in the five year master plan were discussed under the following five main areas such as creating an environment conducive for tourism, attracting the right type of tourists to the country. ensuring that departing tourists are happy. improving domestic tourism and contributing towards improving the global image of Sri Lanka, according to sources.

Accommodation facilities will be increased with the construction of 22,500 hotel rooms to cater to the expected increase in tourist arrivals by 2016. It must also be ensured that the benefits from the tourism sector development should go to the people, SLTDA sources said.

Tourists enjoy the cool waters

Motor cycles stationed at the vehicle park

Creating an environment conducive for tourism is a major component of the five year master plan. 2010 was a significant year for the tourism industry with tourism arrivals reaching the highest recorded number in recent history, the sources pointed out.

The Development Policy Framework of the Government is committed to a sustainable Tourism sector development. Protection of the environment and distribution of economic benefits to the larger cross section of people are the key components of implementing major tourism development projects, a sources said.

Passikudah in the Eastern coastal belt regained its glory as it was before the emergence of terrorism and has turned into a major tourism and leisure hub for both domestic and foreign tourists. A large number of domestic tourists visit Passikudah daily from various parts of the country. The Government has implemented major development projects to promote the tourism industry in the country including Passikudah and other important destinations.

Domestic tourists are contented with the facilities available in the public area of Passikudah Resort. A special rescue unit has been set up in the public area to protect people from drowning and to afford protection. This unit has been kept in vigil round the clock.

According to reliable sources four persons who were nearly drowned were rescued by Life saving teams from December last year to so far.

A vehicle park is also available at the Passikudah tourism site for the convenience of domestic tourists and foreign tourists.

Separate and closed bathrooms have been constructed for men and women. A shallow water margin has been marked by using buoys. Taking a bath at the bay is not a difficult matter. If tents are set up in the public area it will rather good for domestic tourists to spend their day joyfully.

The Sunday Observer spoke to a cross section of domestic and foreign tourists at the Passikudah beach. A Korean tourist we talked to said that this is his first visit to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is a country with natural tourist attractions. He was keen to visit Sri Lanka at least once in his life because he had heard and read so much about the country.

Kadar Lebbe Yaseer, an employee of Batticaloa Teaching hospital said that after the elimination of terrorism the Passikudah opportunities arisen. The international community started to look at Sri Lanka and started to visit to entertain its natural beauty. During the conflict period nobody could visit this area. The entire area was covered thick by jungle.

A large number of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim people from various parts of the country and foreigners visit Passikudah daily and enjoy themselves.

Before the elimination of terrorism this area was a ghost city or zone. There was no life assurance to people who visit this area or it was doubtful whether he would return home.

"I am residing in Oddamavadi. Even the people living in Valachchenai feared to visit to this area. Now this area has turned into a hub of prosperity for the state and the people who reside in close proximity. Individually run hotels have also come up along the Passikudah road.

"After the Government eliminated terrorism, the people in the area have got the opportunity to resume fishing. We are thankful to the Government", he said.

Mohammed Shakoor who came to Passikudah from Kandy said that this was his first visit.

He came to spend his holidays with friends. A peaceful situation remains in this area. He was satisfied with the infrastructure and livelihood development projects taking place in the area.

Ratnam Alahudurai who operates a 'joy' boat said that the people who live in the coastal belt don't use the 'joy' boats.

The people who are from other parts of the country are keen to go boat riding. Fve to six boats operate in the Passikudah bay. Each boat operates on a turn basis. Rs. 100 is charged from domestic tourists and Rs. 1,000 from foreigners.

People begin to gather in the beach after 11.00 am. When the numbers increase, the boat turns also increase.

Alahudurai earns Rs. 4,500 daily if there is a crowd. Nearly 6,000 to 7,000 people come to Passikudah during the holiday season.

Jainudeen Sadik said that there are enough facilities including cool spots at the Passikudah beach for domestic tourists. There is no problem where facilities are concerned. Transport is easy because the road network across the country is developed.

"We are happy. We can come at any time without fear. Roads are clear. The Government has developed the Passikudah Resort in an eye catching manner. Safety in the sea has also been taken care of to a great extent.

The Government has implemented development projects across the country including the tourism sector development", Mohammed Dilshad said.