Travel

Connecting gems and mining to tourism

Vipula WANIGASEKERA

Diversity in compactness is the slogan we always use to market Sri Lanka in tourism in which due consideration is expected to be given to the subject matter, that is Sri Lanka is also a land of 'Gems'.

Extracting from Peter Bancroft's classic book, Gem and Crystal Treasures (1984), Sri Lanka, is a tourist's delight offering British teahouses, rubber plantations and gem mines. His personal mineral and crystal collection has won State and national honours.

Marco Polo in 1292 wrote 'Ceylon is, for its size, the finest island in the world, and from its streams comes rubies, sapphires, topazes, amethyst and garnet."

It was some years back, may be 'lonely planet' there was a famous TV documentary where the young female narrator dared to enter a deep end of a gem mine and then move horizontally through a branch, describing how the operation is carried out.

A couple of such programs will do the trick to encourage considerable visitation to Gem zones.

The formation of gemstones itself is a story that needs to be translated into touristic language to explain how they originate with rock erosion resulting in the gem-laden placer deposits along stream beds in lower valleys.

Miners know the richest deposits are composed of blue and yellow clays which they call 'illam' that lay below the surface of valley farmlands.

The miners work on the rivers where there are surface streams.

Apart from educating the origins, Tourists could be given the opportunity to witness the process from mining to washing, screening, and sorting of their findings in many towns, most famous being Ratnapura (the gem city) that have produced an immense variety of outstanding gemstones when compared to stones from other regions.

It is reported that crown jewels of many monarchs carry extraordinary sapphires, zircons mined from Sri Lanka streams.

Crowns in the Green Vaults of Dresden are said to be covered with sapphires from Sri Lanka. King Solomon's gift of ruby for the Queen of Sheba from Ceylon and the 400 carat Blue Sapphire that decorates the British Crown, is from Sri Lanka.

A comprehensive record of such treasures will enable to draw the visitors to areas where they were originally found. Tour itineraries could cover local lapidaries that are doing the essential part of cutting the rough Gems that are usually re-cut professionally with sophisticated machines to get their full potential.

As suggested in documents, with the expanding population, the natural habitat tend to vanish with the wild life but the untouched gem areas remain and await to be unearthed. Sri Lanka, once called 'pearl of the Indian Ocean' lives up to its name being home of a variety of gems.

Sri Lanka is producing 40 varieties of gems out of 85 available in the whole world.

The gem-mining centres of Sri Lanka cover major crossroad between southern plains and the hill country to the east. Scenery around the towns is charming and ideal for visitations.

The route to Sri Pada from Ratnapura direction and excursions including Sinharaja Forest and Uda Walawe Wild Life Park and the surrounding areas are scenic destinations and also good places for bird watching.

Strategy to connect tourism to Gems requires product based promotional effort though it may or may not be involve the current target markets that Sri Lanka is aggressive in tourism campaigns.

This is similar to luxury boutique hotels that are fetching premium prices from free individual travellers from all over the world.

Identifying the Niches that could be enticed to visit gem zones in Sri Lanka may require an extra efforts through desk and field research. Such endeavours will have a pay day when the word goes around among interested segment groups such as relevant gem Associations.

Gem exhibitions in Sri Lanka viz Facets and Lustre can certainly help to promote this segment. These exhibitions have promoted the country from which tourism has benefited.

It is time that relevant organizations work together in joint promotions for dual purpose benefits.

Reviving the visitation to Gem cities and locations of mining would contribute to Sri Lanka's strategy to project the country 'beaches and beyond'. Such itineraries can also be linked to eco based scenic beauty. This is also important in economic terms to spread the spending of visitors to areas that were hitherto less benefited from tourism.

Ulagalla resort opens in August

Gayan Kanchana In Anuradhapura

The Ulagalla Resort will commence operations from August targeting the growing tourism sector in the country.

Ulagalla Resort is a BOI approved project. It is built on the site of an old Walauwa, belonging to aristocracy. It is set in the middle of the Thirappane village in the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura.

The hotel targets high-end exclusive tourists and will provide the opportunity to discover the pleasure of exquisite surroundings.

Ulagalla Resort Resident Manager Lalin De Mel said the Ulagalla Resort consists of 25 elegantly laid out luxurious villas spread over an unrestricted area of 58 acres, with most overlooking the reservoir while some overlook the flourishing paddy cultivation which will give guests the opportunity to experience the traditions of paddy cultivation in Sri Lanka.

"We will do everything possible to satisfy our customers. No restrictions for them at all and they can stay in the resort as of their own. Half the energy requirement will be generated through solar power in keeping with the "Go Green" concept and the resort has largest solar farm in the country with a capacity of 125KVA," he said.

Ulagalla Resort General Manager Marketing Ranjaka De Mel said, the "Ulagalla resort is over 200 years and has great historic value.

This eco friendly resort has largely made use of green building material "Durra" and will be going for the LEED certification soon.

Up to now they have spent more than Rs. 700 million for the project.

This amount as expected increase with the completion.

Each Villa consists of a floor area of 800 sq.ft. and includes a separate living area furnished with elegance and comfort combined with state-of-the-art amenities.

The property also includes of a 30 metre fresh water swimming pool and electric cars to shuttle guests within the vast compound.

An Ayurvedic spa to rejuvenate the mind and the body, and fully equipped gymnasium together with recreational facilities such as horse riding, archery, billiards, kayak and canoe rides and many others are available. Ulagalla resort is the first hotel to be commissioned after the post war era.