EXPLORING ARUGAM BAY

Arugam Bay - The surfers paradise

Situated in the district of ampara, approximately 314Km from Colombo, Arugam Bay is known as one of the three surfing spots in the world. This typical fishing village to the south of the small town ofpottuvil can be reached via A4 from Colombo. The unspoilt town of Arugam BAy offers an abundance of opportunities for those with a passion for water sports and underwater photography.

Climate

Located in the dry zone, the area is rich in bird life and wildlife in the widespread jungle areas, wetlands and lagoons nearby. It has its own specific climate with very little rain compared to the rest of the island. The average temperature in November, December and January is around 28 - 30 degrees Celsius. It is also often windy during this period. In February and March as well as in September and October the temperature is around 30 - 32 degrees Celsius. With the sun at its zenith in April, it can get rather hot and humid during that time with temperatures going up to 36 degrees Celsius.

THINGS TO DO:

• Surfing

Arugam Bay is renowned for its fantastic waves, which attract surfers from all over the world. Although you can surf here all year round, the season is from April to October with the average height of waves being 1.5 to 2.5 meters. Main surf spots are Pottuvil point, Main Break and Crocodile Rock

Surfing

• Dive: 

 You can do some good snokelling around Augam Bay. If you are a serious scuba diver, charter a boat and head for the Basses Reefs, it is a "must see" dive site in Sri Lanka

• Wildlife Spotting: 

Catch a rare spectacle of elephants strolling across the A4 through the Lahugala elephant corridor. The best time to catch a glimpse of the wildlife such as elephants, wild boa, deer and crocodiles is before dawn or at sunset.

• Bird Watching: 

Be over-awed by the flocks that migrate to the Arugam Bay aea in the months of November and December. 

Explore

 Muhudu Madu Viharaya :

Between Arugam Bay and Pottuvil lie the ruins of a Buddhist temple on the sand dunes with fairly well preserved stone statues. Lt is believed that the temple was built where princess Vihara Maha Devi had disembarked.

Muhudu Madu Viharaya :

This boasts of the best – preserved moonstone in all of Asia, with a special feature of the Mahout carved on the back of the an elephant. The Magul Maha Vihara, Constructed during the reign of King Dhatusena, is also to be the Place where the royal wedding of king Kanantissa and Princess Vihara Maha devi had taken place. Lt is located eight kilometers west of Pottuvil along the A4 main road.

Pottuvil Point :

The highest Place in Pottuvil, popular With Surfers ,this is a long deserted beach. Wild elephants can often be seen around the area.

Crocodile Rock :

From afar the rock look like a set of sun bathing crocodiles. The area is Wild, with elephants and eagles sweeping overhead.

Okanda:

Another popular surfing sport located around 28 Kilometers south of Arugam Bay, The Okanda kudunbigala Heritage reserve and a small ancient shrine dedicated to God of Kataragama, Skanda, Can be seen in the area.
   




   

World Heritage place in sri lanka

• Cultural

1.  Ancient City of Polonnaruwa (1982)
2.  Ancient City of Sigiriya (1982)
3.  Golden Temple of Dambulla (1991)
4.  Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications (1988)
5.  Sacred City of Anuradhapura (1982)
6.  Sacred City of Kandy (1988)

•  Natural

1. Central Highlands of Sri Lanka (2010)
2. Sinharaja Forest Reserve (1988)

Rubber and Rubber Based Products

Sri Lanka pioneered Asian Rubber industry in 1876 with planting of rubber trees in Henerathgoda Botanical Gardens- Colombo. At present the country ranks among the world's top ten largest producers and 7th largest exporter in natural rubber. Sri Lanka Rubber Industry consists of two closely independent sectors; the rubber plantation industry which producers raw rubber and high value new product innovations in finished rubber goods. Presently, Sri Lanka produces about 153,000 metric tons of natural rubber annually.


Sri Lanka pride itself in manufacturing a number of value added rubber products by processing raw rubber. These range from Rubber Products made in Sri Lanka are internationally acclaimed and accepted for quality and durability. Sri Lanka's industrial solid tyres are not only recognized as the best product in the world but also industry prides itself as the market leader of the global market.
   

Glove manufacturing & exporting industry of Sri Lanka, is placed as one of the top manufactures of the world also contribute more than 5 % of global demand.  extrusion products like rubber bands, beadings, latex products such as medical, surgical and household gloves, and industrial products like hoses, auto parts, industrial components, tyres, tubes, automotive and aviation tyres and general rubber products like floor mats, carpets, sports goods, footwear, hot water bottles and related components. The country now has a premium quality natural rubber type known as Lanakprene which is an odour free to a certain extend light coloured, clean, rubber which is ideally suited for medical equipment and up market, value added products .Against stiff competition the rubber industry caters to a significant market share and has established a reputation for quality and reliability. In 2011 rubber finished products industry earned an export income of US$ 884 Mn, a 59 % growth over the previous year.

The Rubber Industry provides employment to a vast number of people mainly in rural estates. Together the activities of tapping, manufacturing, industries of semi finished, semi processed rubber products. Value added products and those involved in trading provide employment to over 300,000 persons.

Major markets for Manufactured Rubber products are USA, Germany, Italy, Belgium, & UK. Semi processed rubber destinations are dominated by Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Germany and USA. 
  Related Institutions/ Associations

•     Sri Lanka Association of Manufactures & Exporters of Rubber Products ( SLAMERP)

•     Sri Lanka Society of Rubber Industry (SRI)

•     Association of Small and Medium Rubber Product Manufactures

•     The Colombo Rubber Traders' Association (CRTA)

•     Planters' Association

•     Rubber Research Institute

•     Rubber Development Department

•     Industrial Technology Institute

•     Industrial Development Board

•     Sri Lanka Export Development Board

Coconut & Coconut Based Products

Introduction

Coconut is one of the major plantation crops in Sri Lanka which accounts for approximately 12% of all agricultural produce in Sri Lanka. Total land area under cultivation is 395,000 hectares and about 2,500 million nuts are producing per year.
  

Sri Lanka is very popular in world market for Desiccated Coconut (DC) and Brown fiber. Distinguish white colour and characteristic taste of the DC ranked Sri Lanka at No. 04 position of world export of all kernel products. Sri Lanka is in No. 01 position of world exports of Brown fiber. The technique called drum system used to extract fiber resulting long pure fiber which are more suitable for brush industry.
Coconut Development Authority, Coconut Cultivation Board and Coconut Research Institute are three major Government Institutions that are responsible for product & quality improvement, supply development and research respectively.

To ensure the quality of DC exports, the certificate issued by the Coconut Development Authority should accompanied with each and every shipment.

Product Range

• Desiccated Coconut

Desiccated coconut, made out of coconut kernel, is used in the confectionery industry. There are 60 mills in Sri Lanka and the approximate total production per annum is 75,000 metric tons.

All mills have  quality control laboratories and closely monitored by the Government Authorities.

Product Description
- Colour - Natural White
- Moisture - Maximum 3% on dry basis
- Fat Content - Minimum 65% on dry basis

Major Markets
USA, European Union, Turkey, Egypt and UAE

• Coconut Cream and Milk

100% pure concentrate of coconut kernel without artificial flavours or preservatives is used in preparation of curries and desserts.
Available in canned and packet form.

Major Markets
UK, Middle East, Netherlands, Australia, France and Germany.

• Coconut Water

This is used as a natural energy and health drink. It contain Glucose as a main ingredient and Minerals ( Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Prosperous) as trace elements.

Fiber Products

• Coir Twine

Made out of bristle fiber (long fiber) or bristle fiber mixed with omatt fiber (short fiber) according to buyer specifications. Major uses are in agriculture, horticulture and aquaculture.

Major Markets
USA, UK, France, South Korea and Japan.

• Door Mats (Hand made/Machine made)

Door mats are made out of coir twine or yarn or coir fibre mixed with jute yarn.

Major Markets
European Union and Bulgaria.

• Door Mats (Coir with steel springs)

Door mats are made out of coir fibre using steel springs, especially suitable for winter.
 

• Geotextiles

Coconut fiber geotextiles, used for soil stabilization, landscaping and erosion control as environmental-friendly material.

Major Markets
South Korea, Japan, Netherlands, USA and Germany.

 

• Rubberized Coir Products for Horticultural and Agricultural Industry

Inner layers of flower pots, basket liners, support poles for creepers and rubberized coir geotextiles are manufactured by spraying coir fiber with compounded latex.

Rubberized pots are used in nurseries as nursery pots. 

Major Markets
Korea, Japan, Netherlands and Germany.

 

• Rubberized Coir Mattresses

Mixture of coir fiber and latex are steam heated, pressed and vulcanized to produce mattresses. These mattresses are used in physiological therapy for various kinds of bone diseases. 

Major Markets
Germany and Japan.

• Coco Peat Products

In the process of extracting fiber from the coconut husk, the residue, which consists mainly of a powdery mixture, is known as coco peat and is used as a substitute for peat moss in Europe.

Exported in briquettes, blocks, disks or grow bags.

Major Markets
Germany, Netherlands and UK.


Coconut Shell Products

• Charcoal Briquettes

This product, made out of coconut shell, is especially processed for outdoor and indoor barbeques as well as for domestic heating.

Major Markets
Middle East

Activated Carbon
The raw material used for the manufacture of activated carbon is coconut shell charcoal. Coconut shell charcoal, unlike wood and coal, is not chemically activated and is therefore ideally suited for use in food processing and the manufacture of medicines. These can be used in various industries for purification.

Major Markets
USA, South Africa, UK, Japan and Canada.

HORTON PLAINS

The Horton Plains feature many interesting attractions such as 'Bakers Falls', 'Chimmini Pool' and the famous 'World's End' (a 3700 ft sheer drop that offers fabulous views of the tea estates below and all the way out to the distant southern coastline) The Horton Plains are located on Sri Lanka's highest plateau, between altitudes of 2,000 and 2, 300m. The landscape typically consists of undulating lands covered in a tropical cloud of forests or verdant montane savannah grasslands, locally known as patannahs. Visiting Horton Plains or 'Mahaeliya' as it is traditionally named is quite popular amongst locals, who mostly come to admire the views from the park's thrilling escarpments such as World's End at weekends. For this reason we recommend that you try to organise your visit during a weekday as this ensures that you will experience the Plain's isolated serenity. Visitors to the park can follow a 10km loop that incorporates all of the spectacular features, enabling them to enjoy them while adhering to the strict rules for environment protection and nature conservation. The best time to visit is early in the morning as this is when the air is likely to be clearest so that you can enjoy the best of the views. In the afternoons, clouds tend to descend and the area becomes submerged in mist. This is equally enthralling though and provides evidence for the evolution of this forest type. Allowing a half-day should give you plenty of time to enjoy it all at a leisurely pace. The Plains are actually named after Sir Robert Wilmot Horton, a rather selfish and bloody-minded Brit (no surprise there then) who was singularly responsible for the slaying of all of the elephants in the area between 1831 to 1837. Although there is little hope of elephants ever returning, you can at least walk around in comparative safety admiring the many other interesting creatures around and about. Of these perhaps the most worthy of a mention are the Samber Deer, a common sight at dusk and in the early hours of the morning.

Dambulla

Dambulla is situated in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, situated 148 km north-east of Colombo. Dambulla templeIt is a town built around a vast isolated rock mass and a World Heritage City, declared by UNESCO. Dambulla rock temple is the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains.There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding. Major attractions are spread over 5 caves, which contain statues and paintings. This paintings and statues are related to Lord Buddha and his life. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, 3 statues of srilankan kings and 4 statues of god and goddess. The latter 4 include two statues of Hindu gods, Vishnu and Ganesh. The murals cover an area of 2,100 m². Depictions in the walls of the caves include Buddha's temptation by demon Mara and Buddha's first sermon. Since it's founding in the 1 century BC by King Valagamba, many improvements and additions have been carried out to the sculptures and paintings over the years. Dambulla is a unique and important historical site because of the amalgamation of the material from many eras. Close to Dambulla deep inside the jungle is perhaps the oldest garden in Sri Lanka is the Iron Wood Forest and the largest Rose Quartz Mountain Range in South Asia. The site had been declared as a human sanctuary by King Dappula in 10 century AD as shown in an inscription at the entrance to Namal Uyana. Trees believed to have been planted by those who sought sanctuary here and subsequently turned in to a vast plantation of Iron wood forest.

Galle Fort

Galle Fort, in the Bay of Galle on the southern province in Sri Lanka, was built first in 1588 by the Portuguese, and then expansively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards.

This Dutch fort is surrounded by the sea in 3 sides and there is a museum of marine fish, Archeological museum of marine fish, the ancient Dutch fort, the Stadium, School, Courts, Police Station and Army fortress 2 many other ancient and educationally important places. There is a Light House situated near this fortress.

The Sri Lankan government and many Dutch people who still own some of the properties inside the fort are looking at making this one of the modern wonders of the world.[4][5] The heritage value of the fort has been recognized by the UNESCO and the site has been inscribed as a cultural heritage UNESCO World Heritage Site under criteria iv.

Crocodile Gecko

 සිංහල පිටපත සදහා පිවිසෙන්න
Introduction
Common Group: GECKOS
Common Name: Crocodile Gecko, Moorish Wall Gecko, Common Wall Gecko
Scientific Name: Tarentola mauritanica
Distribution: Mediterranean
Size: 5" - 7"



The Crocodile gecko also known as the Moorish gecko is pretty, but shouldn't be handled as they are nervous. This is a nice, hardy species with very few problems. These geckos will generally live between 6 and 10 years, depending on how they have been cared for. The Crocodile gecko is native to the Mediterranean region and North Africa. The natural settings for Crocodile geckos are dry, rocky areas particularly on cliff faces and large boulders. They may be very common around human settlements, particularly stone walls.

Identification


The Crocodile Gecko has a large pointed head and for its size is strong and heavily built. They are usually colored in a mottled light and dark grey or brown pattern, and the most distinguishing characteristics are the rows of keeled, tubercular scales along the back, flanks and tail. A flap of skin runs along the flanks and the limbs are relatively short. The ventral surface is immaculate white. The undersides of the toes are equipped with adhesive toe-pads along their entire length for climbing up rocks. Juveniles are more brightly colored with some transverse striping which fades with growth. The average adult length is 6 inches total length.

Behavior

While they are primarily nocturnal, they can often also be seen basking during the day. Male Crocodile geckos are very aggressive and territorial when it comes to another male, and therefore they should be kept separately. Male Crocodile geckos will also emit squeaks when defending their territory. This may be a warning sign that you have 2 males and not a true pair. This species of gecko is hyperactive and difficult to hold.

Housing

A pair of Crocodile geckos can be kept in a 10 gallon aquarium, but a larger taller tank is better. They are arboreal, meaning they need more height rather than floor space. The vivarium should be vertically oriented with plenty of securely stacked rocks with crevices to hide in, and branches to lounge on. The hides are essential in order to prevent stress. Crocodile Geckos spend a lot of time hidden away in rocky aves/crevices, coming out only to feed or bask. Crocodile geckos are also able to climb on the glass of the tank. Plants can also be placed into the enclosure to add color, and if live plants are placed in the vivarium a full-spectrum fluorescent light will be necessary during the day, this light may also be good for the animals.

Substrate can be as simple as newspaper or a couple inches of Zoo Med’s Eco Earth Compressed Coconut Fiber Expandable Substrate. Vermiculite has also been used as a substrate. Sand has been proven to cause impaction in geckos and should be avoided. All substrates should be cleaned regularly in order to prevent contamination from disease.

A humid shelter needs to be provided to prevent any shedding problems. This can be accomplished in a couple of ways. You can mist one side of the tank every few days to drip off the rocks and branches. This then collects in the substrate creating a humid hide behind a rock (this method will not work if you use newspaper). Another method would be using a plastic food container and cut a hole in the side large enough for them to enter. Fill the container with Vermiculite or moss and keep it moist (not soaking wet).Do not spray the geckos directly.

Temperature & Lighting

Crocodile geckos are primarily nocturnal but sometimes bask during the day. Daytime temperatures should be maintained between 78° – 85° F, and a basking area at the high end of the range is appreciated as they are active during the day too. Night time temperatures should be between 70° - 75° F, or a drop down to room temperature during the night will be fine. A low wattage red incandescent bulb can be used at night to allow observation of your geckos and will provide very little heat.

All your heat sources should be controlled by a thermostat in order to prevent the vivarium from over heating. One thermometer should be placed at each end of the vivarium in order to give an accurate reading of the temperatures within the vivarium. Never go by the temperature on the thermostat as these are often inaccurate.

Some people say that a UV light is not required. However this species is sometimes active during the day and will benefit from the use of a UV light. If left on for 12 hours a day it will give your animal a correct photoperiod, as well as allowing vitamin D3 synthesis.

Humidity and Water
 
This species requires low to moderate levels of humidity (50-60%), misting the vivarium once a week should suffice. However a shallow bowl of fresh water should always be available for drinking and soaking. You may also witness your geckos licking up the water droplets that run along the décor from misting.

Feeding
 
Crocodile geckos will actively hunt down and consume anything that moves. Some of the insects than can be fed include: crickets, mealworms, waxworms, or wax moths. The food should be kept as varied as possible in order to ensure proper nutrition. You can also feed earthworms, but if they don’t eat them right away they may burrow into the substrate. Twice a week a vitamin/calcium supplement should be dusted onto the food items.

For young and juvenile Crocodile geckos, feed every day with the appropriate sized food. Adults can be fed every other day and once a month try feeding a small pinkie.

Breeding
 
Crocodile geckos should be kept in true pairs. Unfortunately, even adult animals are difficult to sex. Males are said to be more robust in body size and have a wider head than females. It is also speculated that the females have lots of tubercular scales along the whole body and head, males only have a few along the side of the body.