Uvindu Ileperuma
The rapid development which is taking place in Sri Lanka covering the whole country is now being felt by every one. All can witness massive developments projects which are coming up every where in the country. May it be Colombo, Jaffna or Hambanthota the development at the same degree is visible mainly on infrastructure development.
Galle, the capital city of the southern province is also no exception. It is also blessed with the development drive led by the government. Roads are widened and carpeted. With the new bus stand the whole city is refurbished. The roads in the Galle fort are laid with paving blocks adding the ancient grandeur to it again.
All in all, the government recognizing Galle as a principal tourist destination is one of the reasons why such a development which is hither to experience by people of Galle is now taking place. In an Interview Daily News had with the Southern Province Governor Kumari Balasooriya she said that “The influx of tourist into Galle for a week is counted as almost 3000. So it is a tourist destination. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa was instrumental in allocating 260 million for the road developments in the areas. The old Post office within Galle fort also will be renovated. In fact we have to safeguard the ancient look of the Galle fort if we are to attract more and more tourists that will ultimately result in the economic prosperity of the area.”
She further stated that, no sooner they asked to endorse the security of Galle Fort Secretary to the Ministry of Defense Gotabhaya Rajapaksa established a police post there.
The Chairman of Urban Development Authority visited Galle many a time to assure the developments then taking place. “In fact, Urban Development Authority which is under the Ministry of Defense is doing a good Job. I fail if I forget to mention the service of the Department of Coast Guard,” she added
Meanwhile speaking about the coastal belt she stated that unauthorized erections in the coastal belt have been removed to safe guard the coast and that they should be thankful to his Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa for his contribution to include Unawatuna into one of the 10 attractive places in the world.
“With the more arrivals of tourists into Galle we have to concern the protection of the environment. A programme to preserve Hikkaduwa, Madu Ganga Corals and Mangroves will be implemented. We hope to develop a Golf Course for Galle a plan which is in pipeline,” she added.
“Hotel industry is quite promising. More and more hostels are coming up in areas like Hambanthota and Balapitiya to meet the upcoming demand for the industry. When hotels are being erected we have to consider where they are going to locate the buildings,” she said.
“A beach park in Galle is another project which will come up soon. Any way it is the responsibility of everyone to preserve these infrastructures,” she added.
Yes, we can witness the infrastructure development in Galle but the beneficiaries of these developments are the general public.
Thilin Hewage who is managing a hotel called Hotel Dhammika said, “Last year we had a good business. This time though this is of season we have to expect more tourists to come to Galle and we are ready to meet the demands anyway.
We have never experienced this kind of a development earlier. But now we are happy that the government is with us. So we are confident that this area will be attracting more and more tourists this year than the previous year.”
“Last year we had more hires. Nowadays though this is off season we are earning more. Last year we were very busy since the tourist arrivals to Galle increased. This year we have to expect more,” said N.P.G. Duminda who is a three wheeler driver who is from Unawatuna. Thushara Dilhana who is running a travel planning business in Megalle with her brother said, “We are having more businesses these days though this is off season. Any way busy days are ahead.
“We think we will have to work more in the season because the environment is quite eligible for more tourist arrivals.”
This is the promising situation in the areas where tourism is the bread and butter. Yes, tourism is a royal mainstay in our economy.
The aspiring voices from Galle denote that the whole country will benefit from tourism in time to come.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/10/18/fea28.asp
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