Kalpitiya, a tourism zone

Long neglected Kalpitiya will be made a special tourism zone. This was revealed at a meeting Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga had with officials in Kalpitiya recently

Tourists watching whales in the seas off Kalpitiya.

Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Paddy Withana said a tourism master plan will be drawn up for Kalpitiya with priority being given to develop the local economy including the creation of job opportunities for youth in the area.

This followed a fact-finding tour of the peninsula by Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs Minister, John Amaratunga and Deputy Minister Arundika Fernando.

Many issues faced by hotel owners, kite surfers, local authorities, fishing community and religious leaders were brought to the attention of the Minister. During a visit to Kudawa, the main kite surfing area, kite school owners voiced their concern with regard to use of the lagoon.

It was pointed out that due to the popularity of the sport, various people were in the habit of intruding into the lagoon area used by the popular schools to engage in the sport. There are four kitesurfing and windsurfing schools in the Kudawa and Kandakuliya areas and these schools are considered the pioneers of the sport in the country. They claim that they established the sport in Kalpitiya seven years ago. Today many more have entered the arena leading to a chaotic situation.

Secretary, Kalpitiya Windsports Club, Dilsiri Welikala said their main concern was the safety of the kitesurfers as it can be a dangerous sport if not done properly.

"There should be a proper professional management of the kitesurfing area so that it is not congested, thereby posing a danger to surfers and also to ensure the location stays attractive to surfers," he said.

Minister Amaratunga said Kalpitiya should be transformed to a world-class kitesurfing destination. Steps will be taken for fishermen to carry out their trade without hindrance from surfers and registration of all windsurfing schools and hotels with the SLTDA.

The Kalpitiya peninsula has 14 islands. While some of these islands are inhabited by fisherfolk the rest remain uninhabited. Minister Amaratunga accompanied by Deputy Minister Arundika Fernando and Ministry officials visited some of these islands.

The Vellali Island, a fairly large island in the lagoon will be the star attraction in the local tourism scene. A Maldivian entrepreneur will build a luxury hotel on this island based on the water bungalow concept in the Maldives.

Another island will be developed by an Indian investor.

Minister Amaratunga said tourists in Kalpitiya could easily visit the Wilpattu National Park across the lagoon, if a suitable entry point could be set up at the park. He would discuss the matter with the Wildlife authorities.

Minister Amaratunga said the access roads to the many hotels in the peninsula were in a deplorable state.

The Tourism Minister said with the development of tourism in the region it was important to provide electricity to some of the coastal areas which still lack this basic facility. It was decided to supply electricity right up to Uchchamanay from the Kalpitiya town.

"This will be an incentive for investors looking at the leisure sector in the area. When electricity is provided we will provide water as well," said Minister Amaratunga.

Minister Amaratunga called on the hoteliers in the area to contribute to the development of the local communities and also to find a solution to the garbage disposal issue. Profit should not be the only motive, and that they should financially contribute to some of the proposed development projects.

The Minister expressed his displeasure at the manner in which the Kalpitiya Rest House was being managed. "These Rest Houses are meant for people who cannot afford luxury hotels to have a holiday. But no decent family can go to the Kalpitiya Rest House because it has been transformed in to a tavern. The SLTDA will take steps to refurbish this place and hand it over to a suitable operator," he said.

Minister Amaratunga said local investors will be given priority in the allocation of land for new hotels in the area. He called upon the local business community to grab the opportunities available before it was too late.