Posts filed under 'Sri Lanka 2009'
The surfers of Arugam Bay, members of the Arugam Bay Surf Club, have managed to fund a project where they took the initiative and made and erected signs for their beach. Since the end of the civil war, back in May 2009, the beach in Arugam Bay has seen countless more visitors, and with it, rubbish! The young surfers are very much aware of the importance of protecting their natural playground. The sea and beach is not just a playground though, its a way of life, its where they fish to earn the money to support their families.
So with the help of travelling surfers and Paddle4Relief, the boys raised enough money to purchase materials to make four signs. The local surfers were concerned at the state of the beach and the effect the rubbish was having on their environment.
Fawas, Chairman of Arugam Bay Surf Club and Krishantha, Secretary, built the signs whilst myself, Leah, Erandathi and Fawas carried out the artwork in three languages; Sinhalese, English and Tamil.
Now there is no excuse for people to throw their rubbish on or around the beach area. The signs are clearly there to inform visitors that their rubbish is not wanted.
The local Special Task Force and Tourist Association have also acted on the problem and got involved. They have provided bins and more signs.
I personally, am very happy at seeing this initiative develop. From back in 2005 when we were involved in the first village clean there has been a slow but progressive movement towards keeping the village and beach clear of rubbish. The young surfers in particular appear to be at the forefront of this movement and are fully supported by the Paddle4Relief Team.
January 19th, 2010
Rain, Rain, Rain! - Well, well, well! Water was what we asked for, and water we finally got! Monsoon rains arrived in a vengeance! Day and night it emptied from the heavens above. There has been a constant battle to prevent water from flooding property. Lagoons were full and breaking through to the ocean, causing a brown stain to spread across the once untainted crystal blue sea. A month where laundry failed to dry, had been re-washed and re-washed to rid it of that damp and musty smell that materializes when it fails to dry. New doors and windows were swollen from the moisture and refused to slot back into their previously once perfect apertures. There is a coolness in the air, still warmer than our summer, but a coolness that requires a t-shirt at four in the morning. An abundance of green has arisen from the once hard and dusty ground. Farmers are hurriedly catching up with their tasks of ploughing and sewing seed. Mosquitoes have woken to torment those that have the sweet blood they love to feast on. I feel fortunate that my once desired blood has become sour and less attractive to them. Them that sing in ones ear so torturing a once peaceful sleep. Perhaps the arrival of a British visitor was the cause of all that rain. As now, having left these shores, the rain has abated and the sun once again taken its rightful place within the expanse of a rich blue sky!
December 5th, 2009
is one minute up, and the next down! What to do! Ten more days and it’ll be all over until the next time! If there is one!
December 3rd, 2009
got beaten up on main point yesterday! Off season soo much more powerful, with the break more sectiony and the reef more shallow!
December 3rd, 2009
has been handing out wax to the grommets around the coast of Sri Lanka. Looks like a surfboard etc plea is due on my return to the UK!
December 1st, 2009
must remember his shoulder is totally shot & shouldn’t keep pushing the fishing boats up over the sand. 4 mths now & getting worse! Aaargh!
November 19th, 2009
took books etc to a Pre School in Pottuvil today - the kids were great and the teachers very enthusiastic. Well worth all the graft!
November 19th, 2009
visited Pottuvil Temples, worked on School Book Project, went fishing and ate Banana Rice Pudding!
November 18th, 2009
finally braved the lumpy seas and went boat fishing with Suminda and actually managed to catch 3 Seer Fish on hand lines! Result!
November 14th, 2009
loves the speed in which the climate changes during the monsoon season! Super sunshine again! Best i do some carpentry then!
November 12th, 2009
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