Nudist Beach Proposed In Kalutara
By Indika Sri Aravinda
A proposal has been put forward to have a nudist beach in Kalutara and it was taken up for discussion as early as last month.
The nudist beach was proposed to be opened at Calido beach in Kalutara, an area which was declared last year as a tourist zone.
Calido beach is within a 1 x 1 ½ km strip area and the management of a leading casino operating in Colombo was tasked with operating the tourist zone.
Stardust casino had proposed a nudist beach in Kalutara as part of moves to promote tourism in the area and had sought approval from the relevant authorities.
However the Kalutara Municipal Council strongly objected to the move saying it does not suite Sri Lankan culture and will also harm the sentiments of the strong Buddhist community who visit Kalutara.
When contacted by The Sunday Leader, the Kalutara Municipal Council superintendent C.H Munasinghe said that after the area had been declared a tourist zone there was a proposal to build cabanas and have other facilities for the tourists including a beach area for nudists.
He said that last month the proposal was taken up for discussion with the relevant authorities and at that meeting the Kalutara Municipal Council had raised objections. When contacted a Director at Stardust Casino who is handling the Calido beach project, Wasantha de Silva, said that proposals regarding the tourist zone are still under discussion but refused to elaborate or comment further.
President of the Tourist Hotel Association of Sri Lanka Anura Lokuhetti said that he was not aware of a proposal to have a nudist beach area in Kalutara.
Speaking to reporters last year the then Ports and Aviation Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena had said that all unauthorized structures, including hotels, houses and industrial complexes, erected on beaches in Kalutara would be demolished to construct the Calido Coastal Gardens.
Abeygunawardena had said that during the first phase of the project the Calido Coastal Line in Kalutara would be converted into a Coastal Garden to promote tourism, provide recreational facilities to the public, open new avenues for income generation and prevent the illegal activities that are taking place.
@Smarter Than you… Two thumbs up for your comments!!!
IF BUDDHA IS ALIVE TODAY HE WILL WELCOME THIS NUDIST BEACH. LET THE TRIPLE GEM BLESS THESE ORGANIZERS.
Whats wrong with it????? Since we still worship the ‘whites’ seeing a few will not do us any harm!!:)
There are som many forces separating spirit, body, and nature that it takes constant effort ot live from a deep experiential knowing of inter-dependence. The dualism that separates body from spirit, and considers spirit as superior to body, has a vey long history in the West. In the early days of Christianity there was a splitting of body and spirit, of women and men, of feelings and intellect, of nature and culture. Furthermore, body, women feelings, and nature were deemed of a lower order, were marginalized and denied. So writes Helena Norberg-Hodge in the book, Being Bodies – Buddhist Women on the Paradox of Embodiment. The attitude of some Sri Lankans is indistinguishable from the religious extremists in Christian and Muslim cultures. Not everything in one’s culture is good.
Nudism is beneficial to society and culture and needs to be allowed. For me personally, being naked, whether on a beach in public or in the privacy of a house, reminds me that I am a spiritual being in possession of a body, not merely a body in possession of other objects.
We are a country with rich unmatched culture compare to most of the countries,, people like me who has travelled many countries are much proud of and still walk head high speak proud of our culture,our heritage,the friendliness of every srilankan all that please if the revenue is what the govt or some crocadile businessman trying to sell our reputation,,then why don’t those people sitting with the rules and nodding their heads saying yes sir yes sir three bag full can walk nude and and defienetly i will throw a bigger amount if i can see them doing catwalk nude dont sell srilanka please
I think this is a great idea! I mean, okay its not good for our culture, but did you know nudist beaches are enclosed? they have a special entrance if you want to go in. So, unless you try really hard to get a peep in, it would be impossible to see the nude bathers. By the way, there are usually signs as well.
This would be a great idea since our economy is falling down, our rupee is a disaster, et cetera…..
The beach area for these people could be in some place far from religious or historical sites. Again, way to go, tourist board.
um one more thing, nudism is not bad. it is not a mental illness. it branches from christianity, to the time of adam and eve, who were supposed to be nude before sin. Nudism is for people who do not mind others naked, it is perfectly allright. So stop being a racist , mr Concerned Citizen because its people like you who start wars.
Sri Lanka needs a Nudist colony to complete the drama of Jay Manorathna
Our “Sri Lankan culture” and our ridiculously conservative ways are the main stumbling block for progress when it comes to tourism. Sri Lanka will never be a hot spot for tourist because of this reason and the fact that we are too over priced.
Why not a RED LIGHT STREET so we can keep all Govt Officials from Madam Gina brothel…….also we could minimize Rape & Murder.
I am Japanese, Buddhist. Totally negative to the proposal. I’ve been to Kalutara beach for several times. There is a fruit of marvelous tropical nature, fulfilled with an aura of peaceful tranquility. If there become a nudist resort, I will not be there, never again. One more thing, such a kind of thing is very opposite to the historical Theravada tradition.
Nudist beaches are not good for the country. Sri lankans are not ready for that yet. Talking about
religion & buddhism is not proper as sri lanka doesn’t
follow any religious principles. If they are religiously
motivated there wouldn’t have been a “killing field”
or suffering of minorities,murders, rapes, abductions,extortions ,political gimmicks etc.,etc.,
Rulers are hell bent on making money ( mainly for themselves ) at any cost.They just don’t care about any culture or religion. They are just greedy for money & power. We suckers voted them to rule & they have ‘promised’ to ruin us all & vandalize the nation. Nude colony is another bright money making idea. Officially sanctioned sex trade of all kinds may be next. This is how the SL govt is trying to get tourists who are shunning SL especially after the war,killing episodes,break down in law & order in the country. It’s a desperate move by a bankrupt govt to get some foreign exchange at any cost. Who cares about culture in the govt. today or Kalutara or Kataragama ?
Smart Aleck, I like your comment lol wow! this is a cool idea. Go Sri Lanka go. I suppose all you clowns were born with clothes on ha! Mervyn would love this place?
Lets make all of Sri Lanka a nudist colony. The money saved by limiting the import of cloth could lead to great economic prosperity. As for the those who are still shy the Amude, the real national dress. could suffice. In fact we should be proud to wear it when society deems it necessary. As for the ladies they could emulate the beauties in the Sigiri Frescoes.
Hold it, I am just starting to visualise how parliament would like. It would be a great spectacle, a major tourist attraction. Some more money, for the masses.
Concerned Citizen and ‘smarter than you’ sound like classic gymnophobics. But there is always a childhood issue that will explain their insecurity and paranoia. Also, did we not have nudist beaches back in the 80s? How ‘nice’ to live in a country where to be dignified is to be insecure and ignorant. Thanks to the Sunday leader for publishing all these comments, it really mirrors the weird fidgety mentality that we Sri Lankans have.
What is happening in this country over the years for now, No matter nude or not . We have nothing to hide.
well, for all the culture purists, I go to work by bus and i KNOW how women suffer in the buses and public places. Please dont pretend we have great culture here. It is all pretending. The perverts in the bus makes us sick and disgusting. It is been reported so long about the abuses in this country. Nudists is a different thing, as a human in sri lanka, i may not subcribe to nudists beach as our pervert men will try to peek there and annoy the nudists. it is why I dont want nudists beach. As someone correctly pointed out, we women dress our sarees where there is more than 2 feet gap between our top and bottom. You can see how the men steer at these women in the buses with sarees and specially sri lankan Air lines air hostesses. Thye are the targets of sexual abuse by men by thier pervert eyes. I am not sure I subcribe to this sort of sri lankan pervert culture.
100% agreed with what u said hariini…..those in SL will not allow anyone to be in piece…after all the things they do in busses
After The Late Lassantha, The Sunday Leader has become a disgrace to the print media. Its full of blatant lies. May be this generates more income than advertisements for them. Shame Shame your paper should be used in veterinary clinics to clean the floor.
Maxi, I think you have caught the wrong end of the tail. What Leader is practicing is the freedom of the press thereby letting others to exercise their freedom to gather information in order to educate themselves, and allow you to express your views to the public on any subject you choose in addition to the practice of freedom of expression. So what is wrong with the services it is providing. After all you have the right not to read this paper. After all you are not the pay master for its existence.
Well I am a sinhala buddhist person. Lets logically see at this case.
1) Nude Beach is a designated area for Nudist. It will be in a private, discreet setting. Who goes there is at their own will. Of course this will attract more local young people than foreigners. It is okay. Why should not couples, individuals go their and explore their sexuality. It enhance human mind and body. THIS IS NOT A PLACE FOR OPEN SEX ORGY PARTY. It is about people exploring their bodies. Humans exploring human body and sexuality has been a part of culture and arts in each and every society including Sri Lanka.
2) The problem here is that looking this as a morally devalued thing. Yes sex perverts want to visit this place. It is a problem. Sex tourists that come to south anyway trying visit this place is a problem. Curious outside people trying to a sneak look at this discreet place is a problem.
Lets see what can be done if there is public nudity in Sri Lanka..
Can any person who talks about this big issue comment on the following..
What do we do about tourists who nude bath in public beaches where families visit. Practically nothing. Thats what has to be stopped. Sri Lankan culture is a conservative culture not like frech or german. Let me tell you as a teenager in 1980′s have seen nude bathing tourists in sri lanka.
Goto southern beaches or colombo north beach resort areas. Neither the people who cry here or the police or the state does not have an effective rules or courage to keep our public beaches from nude bathers. Why cry foul for a private beach for Nudists.
I wouldnt mind going to one in another country but i doubt it that are people can handle it. If they do open it the beach will be filled with pervs & weirdos. they already are their in the normal beaches too. also there will be people invading privacy by taking pictures. We have to accept that are people cannot handle something like this. Also we must remember that this is not a big deal in other countries. Its nothing sexual.
Nude beach is not suitable for Sri Lanka.
good idea
As a matter of fact I think this proposed nudist colony should be opened by MR and the Lady, RW, all of them showing transparency of what they have. Additionally if they pass the hat RW can cover up the expenses to repair the damages to Srikotha, MR could cover a part of the budget deficit and the Lady could cover up the expenses for cosmetics need for the next show.