World Surf Championships Arugam Bay

• Sri Lanka Hotels Association President Sanath Ukwatte welcomes event

The World Surf League (WSL) 2019 Men’s Event to be held from 25-29 September at Arugam Bay is a major international sport event, Sri Lanka is hosting after the Easter attacks.

This tour will also contribute towards qualification for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, where surfing will be featured for the first time in as an Olympic Sport. The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) welcomes all participants from around the world as this competition will offer a unique opportunity for local surfers to compete with international participants. “We thank the Government and the Surfing Federation of Sri Lanka for making this event a reality and showcasing Sri Lanka as an ideal surfing location in the world.

“In the recent years of Sri Lanka’s Tourism Product, Arugam Bay and Ella are two destinations where tourism has developed at a rapid pace. This is mainly through local initiatives. THASL strongly believes tourism is an area where every Sri Lankan can play a role and sincerely thanks Sri Lanka Surfing Federation for coming together with World Surf League (WSL) bringing great honour and valuable publicity to the country. 

“Diversity in terms of the range of leisure activities on offer is one of our country’s principal strengths on an aggressively competitive regional environment.

It is crucial to depart from the beaten track and blaze new trails in order to take the tourism industry to new levels of achievement. Surfing and other terms of water sports are a natural extension of our tourism product, given the globally recognised attractions of our coast and the water around us. 

This potential, so clearly evident, has been inadequately utilised up to now. 

“It is a matter for deep satisfaction that this gap is now being filled. It is, therefore, with a sense of profound appreciation that we congratulate the Surfing Association, and the initiatives of the dynamic officials, on the timely focus that they have given to a largely neglected aspect of Sri Lankan tourism. It is entirely fitting that their efforts together with the support given by the Government have been met with international recognition. They have certainly done our country proud.”