March 17, 2013, 7:41 pm


This refers to an article by Bandu de Silva in The Island newspaper dated 7/3. Over 30 years ago I already wrote an article about nudism on the beaches. I am not aware of such activities on the eastern beaches as I have not gone there, but I know that hotels nave been built at quite a rate. So far indeed, because of the 30-year war, the east coast avoided being turned into a "tourist paradise" with all its connected negative sides or side effects. What concerns those trying to get an even taint or attention otherwise are not always "venuses or adonises", especially if autumn has set in, and would be looking much better in well-designed bathing suits. Unfortunately, white looks terribly naked compared to a native in a loin cloth. Nudist colonies have always existed in the West but they are exclusively by themselves. I, as an European, would be very much embarrassed walking on the Mount Lavinia beach with my granddaughters if somebody came along without clothes.

If this has to be for the sake of the tourist dollars do segregate those sun-seekers. European travel agencies should hand leaflet to tourists as to what could be done and what should not be done in Sri Lanka. Thus we can avoid cultural clashes and condemnation.

Never should this country sacrifice its traditions for money. The electronic influences have already done too much damage already. Let us have dignified and controlled tourism as done for instance in Bhutan and Myanmar. Finally, it will be costly to pull this country out of a touristic quagmire. We would not be among the first victims.

Johanna D. Bandaranayake

Mount Lavinia

island.lk