Divisional Secretary

Divisional Secretariat
Aranayake

2013-Nov-

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Dear Sir/Madam,

TO GET ADVICES AND THE CONSULTATIONS FOR A HOME STAY VILLAGE

With the booming of the tourism industry in Sri Lanka, the country is searching new ways to
improve the tourism related activities.

As the political authority and the divisional secretariat of the Aranayake Electorate, we have
paid the more attention for this topic. Aranayake is an area where the scenic tourist
attractions can be seen. Bathalegala (Bible Rock) and Asupini Ella (Asupini Falls) are two
main tourist attractions, which can be identified in the Aranayake Electorate.

There is a high potentially for developing these areas as tourist destinations of living of the
villagers and helps to develop the tourism industry in the area too.

By keeping this idea in the mind, we have already done some positive approaches in this
regard.

We had a feasibility study by getting the support from the department of tourism
management of the University of Sabaragamuwa. Two lecturers from the university, the
political authority and the divisional secretariat together had a positive discussion on this.
Putting up a homestay village has come to the first according to all the discussions we had in
the last few months.

According to these researches, the most suitable place for a homestay village has been
identified as Hathgampola Village, which is situated at the foot of Bathalegala.
With the intention of getting an experience about a Homestay Village, we had a field study
visit to the well-known Padavigampola homestay. The field study visit to Padavigampola
Strengthen our idea of putting up a Homestay Village.

As the next successful step, we had Participatory Rural Approach (PRA) with the people of
Hathgampola Village. The villagers were also enthusiastically participated for the PRA and
they understood the value of this project. As you know most of the people are benefited
through this project and also it empowers the rural community of the village.

According to the paper advertisement and the website of the ‘SLTDA’, you have mentioned
about the free consultations and advices are given to those who are willing to start a
homestay project.

Especially, our team and the villagers of Hathgampola are expecting your contributions as the
main tourist mechanism in Sri Lanka to make this homestay program a reality.

Thanking You,

Your Sincerely,

Anura Rajaratne
Divisional Secretary-Aranayake