Focus on Arugambay : Locals alert authorities to protect Sri Lanka’s sole surfers’ paradise

Tourists are discouraged from walking into most restaurants if they are not fully dressed

Surfers warn of surfing accidents in future as most travelers are inexperienced (Pix by Kithsiri De Mel)

Locals have expressed concerns on safety of women, especially at night- A seasonal destination that attracts crowds from around the world

The steady Israeli presence in Arugambay may be a disturbing fact given the sensitivity of the situation currently unfolding in Gaza

Except for a handful of operations owned by Israeli individuals, all other businesses are owned by locals

Sri Lanka’s surfing paradise, Arugambay attracts many local and foreign visitors during its peak season from July to October. Over the recent few years, this stretch of land has gained much attention, mainly due to the presence of Israeli tourists as claimed in media reports. A popular Australian DJ, who recently visited Arugambay, published a video claiming whether Arugambay is becoming Sri Lanka’s Tel Aviv. For passive onlookers, this may be a disturbing fact given the sensitivity of the situation currently unfolding in Gaza. While many certainly have mixed reactions towards the Israel-Palestine war and the fact that Sri Lanka has opened its doors to Israeli tourists, local business owners in Arugambay on the contrary opine that there are much more serious issues for authorities to look at.  

Double standards in law enforcement 

Local businesses in Arugambay have been through ups and downs and turnarounds in between the war, tsunami, Easter Sunday bombings, COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis. Arugambay is a seasonal destination and has a tremendous history. But a new phenomenon currently unfolding in Arugambay is where hospitality ventures in the South are slowly expanding in this destination. This way, business owners in the South have business all year round. Except for a handful of operations owned by Israeli individuals, all other businesses are owned by locals. 

However during a recent visit to Arugambay, the Daily Mirror learned that certain operations continue as unregistered businesses and are possibly evading taxes; indicating double standards in enforcing the law. The Daily Mirror learned about the unregulated sale of alcohol, where certain businesses would continue selling alcohol even on poya days while law-abiding businesses would close down their bars on such specified religious holidays. They opine that if the government is keen on upgrading the Arugambay stretch as a tourism zone and allow the sale of alcohol then the law needs to be equal to all. Concerned business owners opine that the government has a beautiful opportunity to ensure ‘law and order in the now.’ So far the authorities haven’t responded to any correspondence sent to the political hierarchy, sometimes via registered post.

Setting the standards for tourists 

The Daily Mirror also observed how certain businesses are strict about recruiting foreigners as employees especially if they are on tourist visa. Most businesses have their own rules and regulations, especially with regards to the dress code. If a tourist walks in wearing a bikini or a male walks in shirtless they are often told to cover themselves up before walking into a restaurant. When asked how tourists have received such requests, local business owners responded in the affirmative. They said that in most instances, tourists would oblige to their rules and that they are quite peaceful in nature. Local business owners observe that most tourists would often wear revealing clothes and it is up to each business to set its own standards. 

Why businesses in A’bay cannot ignore Israeli tourists

Israelis have brought in a lot of money to this community since 2019 specifically since the time of the Easter Sunday bombings. In 2021 as soon as their doors opened, they were the first tourists to visit Sri Lanka. In 2022 during the financial crisis, when businesses were dying without fuel and other basic supplies, again it had been the Israelis who had taken the Sri Lankan businessmen through that season. Therefore, local business owners cannot shut their doors on Israeli tourists who have helped them to survive. 

As a fishing village with a majority Muslim community, many individuals operate tuk tuks within the tourism stretch as means of survival. For these tuk tuk drivers, the type of tourist doesn’t matter as long as they are being given a few extra bucks. Some have rented out their houses which have been converted into home stays and villas. Many locals have reaped maximum benefits from the tourism industry and for them, any tourist is welcome on their land. 

Challenges faced by surfers 

So far there have been no accidents when surfing in Arugambay, but experienced surfers have encountered certain challenges in recent years. “We have been able to maintain the system well when it comes to surfing. But in recent years we see that everybody is out at sea irrespective of their level of experience. So when beginners are surfing in the waters, it disturbs intermediate surfers. When intermediate surfers come in the way of experienced surfers, then again there is an issue. Therefore we suggest authorities to establish lifeguards with proper education on surfing and deploy a surf patrol in order to minimise accidents and deal with any emergency,” a surfer told the Daily Mirror on strict conditions of anonymity. 

The Daily Mirror learned there are no emergency vehicles to take casualties or injured persons in the wake of an emergency and that people have wait till an ambulance arrives from the Pottuvil District Hospital. 

Electricity and water crisis 

People in Arugambay have been severely inconvenienced due to prolonged power cuts in recent months. The transformer had malfunctioned on numerous occasions as it has been overloaded than its usual capacity. As a result, many consumers receive power at 116/120V whereas the actual voltage should be 230V. Fridges and other equipment that are required in the hospitality trade malfunction as a result of low power voltage. When foreigners find out that there is no A/C they cancel bookings and find alternative places. Many foreigners come to stay for 4-5 days, but they are discouraged to remain in the same place due to lack of facilities. Areas such as Sinhapura and Sinna Ulla are severely affected due to this crisis. On the other hand, due to the low power supply, water pumps have to be fixed twice a month. To resolve the issue, several locals have taken the initiative to draft a petition requesting authorities to install a transformer with a bigger capacity and are awaiting a response. 

Concerns on safety of women 

Another issue raised by locals is the safety of women who walk along the beach after dark. The Daily Mirror learned of at least two instances when women were harassed while walking along the beach. But locals opine that law enforcement is always weak in such instances as many of these incidents involve tourists. Therefore locals request the authorities to install solar powered lights to light up the beach at night as an immediate solution to this issue. 

Several attempts to contact Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam to inquire about regulating hospitality ventures in Arugambay and other tourism zones proved futile. 

Enforcing the law, a responsibility of all stakeholders

The Daily Mirror learned that during the peak season, police officers are deployed on special duty in Arugambay. Over 107 police officers, 34 Army officers and 30 naval officers were deployed during the long weekend. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, a senior police officer said that they are doing their job to ensure law and order and that all other stakeholders also need to get together. He said that regulation needs to happen from various departments and that a collective effort is needed to ‘set things right.’ The Daily Mirror learned that there are categories for regulating homestays, hotels, restaurants and other businesses operating in tourism zones. He further said that foreigners need to abide by their regulations at all times because the law of the country needs to be upheld at all times. 

Authorities promise immediate solutions to certain issues

When contacted, Pottuvil Divisional Secretary N. Ahamed said that one of the major issues is with regards to the electricity and water crisis. “With respect to electricity, we are going to fix three transformers to ensure better supply of electricity, mainly along the tourism stretch. On the other hand, we have identified that desalinization of water is the only solution to provide proper drinking water to people,” he added.