tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2201921413518697647.post3296338225807096265..comments2023-10-22T11:07:37.342+01:00Comments on Carol's thoughts on life, ICT and whatever comes: Sri LankaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08215805179729102461noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2201921413518697647.post-8845080913625155862010-08-22T17:25:20.072+01:002010-08-22T17:25:20.072+01:00Hello Clive
Thanks for your comments! I was clearl...Hello Clive<br />Thanks for your comments! I was clearly mislead by the guide who led us to believe the people in the country were now united and that ALL of the children had 3 uniforms issued freely each year and received a free education - I would like to think this was a language problem but can't be sure :-)Despite being maybe slightly ill-informed by the guides this year I did really enjoy being there and seeing the whole range of what Sri Lanka has to offer. It is a very pretty country with lovely, friendly people.<br /><br />I would certainly love to visit India, and may get there in two or three years - we are working our way round slowly. I was only talking to someone this week about places that we must visit when we do get there, and about being given a guided tour. It is a slightly distant dream at the moment but hopefully soon...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08215805179729102461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2201921413518697647.post-68916255577387149082010-08-22T12:45:55.791+01:002010-08-22T12:45:55.791+01:00Hi Carol,
Good to read your article - you obviousl...Hi Carol,<br />Good to read your article - you obviously enjoyed your time in Sri Lanka! I hope you don't mind me making a couple of points:<br /><br />You mentioned the Sinahese but not the Tamils, Moors etc. Many of the poor you encountered will be amongst the 25% non-Sinhalese population (mostly Tamils), a tragic result of marginalisation policies of past governments. <br /><br />In the south of Sri Lanka the school holidays are from 6th Aug to 6th Sept which, I guess, ties in with your holiday dates. During that time some children will have been attending examinations. The majority that you saw in their pristine white uniforms will be taking private tuition - available to those who can afford it and necessary to make up for some low quality public education. Since it's mostly the same teachers who teach in the public schools and privately, and teaching is poorly paid, the incentive to teach well in school is reduced by the attraction of more-lucrative private work. <br /><br />If you enjoyed the wonderful colour and vibrancy of life in Sri Lanka perhaps you should try India next! Another amazing place!Clivehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11568795459167807199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2201921413518697647.post-50591891237061614432010-08-19T21:31:51.918+01:002010-08-19T21:31:51.918+01:00We did really enjoy our time there - it is just a ...We did really enjoy our time there - it is just a pity it is a bit of a long way away. Having to travel for a day each way means that you really need two weeks to make it worth going there.<br /><br />We are quite tempted to do the north coast though - it is very undeveloped with apparently just one hotel. I guess we need to do it very soon if we decide to - otherwise it will be working its way to a conrete jungle. We were very aware of that hapening in Kandy and Colombo.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08215805179729102461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2201921413518697647.post-14795950465832866402010-08-19T21:23:14.625+01:002010-08-19T21:23:14.625+01:00Carol,
It was absolutely fascinating to read this ...Carol,<br />It was absolutely fascinating to read this post about your journey to Sri Lanka. It brings back so many memories of my honeymoon there about 9 years ago ( my wife could tell you exactly when it was). Unlike you, we didn't tour around but we did visit many of the places you mention.<br />I was saddened to read of your experiences at the Elephant sanctuary. It was one of the highlights of our stay. At that time, the civil war was still on and there was serious fears for the safety and survival of the whole elephant population in the country; elephants were being killed not just in the crossfire but also for food. At that time, it seemed the sanctuary may be the only way to preserve the population even though they knew it would be difficult to return them to the wild owing to too much human contact. I can understand how you could feel the place had become too commercial but Im sure that is because they need the money and tourism is a vital source of income for them. I always felt they did a good job at a time of great uncertainty.<br />Nevertheless, it is great to read that you had a fantastic time in a country my wife and I have come to love.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02282586890418088819noreply@blogger.com