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Have the waves of change swept our lovers away?

By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema All over the world lovers go out of their way to find a secluded place where they could get lost in each other. While ordinary folk invariably have to settle for the local park or beach, the rich and famous jet it out to the far corners of the earth in search of that ideal spot. In Sri Lanka, the No.1 hot spot is definitely the beach, even under the scorching sun. Although Discovery Channel is yet to categorise the local beaches as a romantic get-away,

it is common knowledge to Sri Lankans that local beaches are a haven to lovers and in some instances, 'bystanders' as well.

It is while working on this article that I came across some who actually go to the beach to be in peace. Sometimes people pay a visit to the beach with a friend just to talk without any interference or merely to be alone.

Beach lovers

But,  mention a beach during weekdays and pronto, it is the couples also known as 'Wetakeiya lovers,' that come to mind. On a quest to find solitude, these lovers  often end up getting a raw deal - having to avoid an army of perverts and thieves (whom most consider to be drug addicts trying to make  a quick buck).

Although many are under the misconception that beaches are filled with those trying to satisfy their frustrations, it is actually financial constraints that lead these people to the beaches. The stigma attached to these 'beach' couples has on most instances stopped them from going to the police even if they are robbed.

According to Nimal Perera (name changed), a school leaver looking for a job, the beach is the only place where he could meet his girlfriend without having to spend too much. "I haven't got a job as yet and whenever we want to meet, we come to the beach. I cannot afford to take her to a restaurant or any other place," he said. He went on to say that the price of a ticket for a film too is too much for him to afford. "A ticket to a decent film is over Rs. 150, which means, altogether, I'll have to spend close to Rs. 500. That is impossible," he said.

According to Nimal, although some people tend to look down at lovers who meet at the beach, at present it is the only place he can afford to take his girlfriend to, even to have a heart to heart chat. As for problems at the beach, Nimal says  that they have not experienced any problem fso far. Recalling an incident experienced by one of his friends, Nimal said that once a man had threatened his friend and his girl friend saying that unless he was paid Rs. 1,000 they would not be able to come back to the beach.  They did not complain to the police as they feared they would be ridiculed.

Maria (name changed), a university student, enjoys going to the beach with her best friends merely to talk in peace. "Sri Lankans have this idea that whenever a girl speaks to a guy, he is her boyfriend, but most of the times I go to the beach even with my male friends whenever we want to have lengthy conversations without any interruptions," she said. Maria went on to say that one has to pay to enter most of the places in Sri Lanka, while the beach is free of charge and is more peaceful.

Many couples The Sunday Leader spoke to had  not had any problems with perverts or rogues, but an occasional beggar trying to make a quick buck by standing near the couple till they pay him off. Knowing that the lovers  prefer to be alone without intruders  these beggars use the  opportunity to earn a quick buck.

Both Nimal and Maria admitted  that unlike earlier, there are fewer couples visiting the beach. The reason they feel is the construction of the Marine Drive.

With the Marine Drive passing through most of Wellawatte and Bambalapitiya, the beach area has become quite busy during daytime. With many health conscious people walking and jogging in the area, the privacy sought after by couples is slowly but surely diminishing. Does this also mean that perverts and drug addicts too have lost their haven?

Open beach

OIC, Wellawatte Police, Nihal Mendis confirmed this when he stated that the beach has become more open since the construction of the Marine Drive. "Couples are there, but are few in numbers as the Wellawatte beach is now an open beach," he said. According to him, about 600 people walk down the Marine Drive during daytime.

The Wellawatte and the Bamabalapitiya police have not received any complaints from 'beach' couples  about perverts or anyone attempting to rob them. Another fact is that perverts  who  wish  to  treat their eyes to the   'sights'  in the beach would not make themselves visible to the couples.  As for the thieves, with the area becoming a busy road, there is almost no chance for them to make a quick get-away without being caught.

By the looks of it the beach seems to be losing its earlier held position as the No. 1 hot spot. Where have all the lovers gone? Most probably to the lovers section in the Victoria Park. But then again, the park too would become over populated with couples, leaving them once again with no decent place to go to. In desperations one could witness lovers under umbrellas, whispering sweet nothings at Galle Face even at 12 noon.

With every nook and corner of Colombo becoming commercialised, lovers are left with no place to go. That is unless you have some money to spend.  Lovers seem to be in a battle of their own, although it does not match up to the one between the Montegues and Capulets, it is one of finding a peaceful place to get lost in with their loved one without denting their wallets too much. Till they win this battle, they will have to make do with whatever place they can find, even if it means burning under the scorching sun.

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