Andrea Benson, a seventy-five-year-old Australian woman, is the mother of six children. She is a former flight attendant of the Australian airline. Despite her age, Andrea is in good health and has a graceful appearance.
Andrea first arrived in Sri Lanka on June 3, 1975. After nearly fifty years, she returned to the country this January. She has a deep love for trees, wildlife, the environment, and the coastal areas. We met her at the Ridi Vila Hotel in Unawatuna.
Andrea Benson
Andrea resides in Sydney, Australia, and worked as a flight attendant, traveling to various countries worldwide. However, she claims she has never seen a country as beautiful as Sri Lanka. She speaks about it with nostalgia, recalling her past experiences.
Around fifty years ago, she visited Unawatuna and described the natural beauty of its beaches and surroundings. The memories of Unawatuna remain precious to her. She has many fascinating stories about the area and walked along the shore with us, reflecting on how much the landscape has changed. The erosion of the Unawatuna beach deeply saddened her.
When Andrea first arrived in 1975, Unawatuna was an untouched paradise. Only one or two buildings stood along the coastline, which was lined with coconut trees. She recalls how scenic and pristine the environment was.
Unawatuna Beach
“Back in 1975, when I came to Unawatuna, I was 20 years old. I spent three months here. There were only a couple of buildings, and the shore was covered with coconut palms. It was a stunning landscape with an extraordinary natural charm.”
Andrea believes development should happen in a well-planned manner to preserve the natural beauty of a country. Today, concrete structures have replaced much of Unawatuna’s natural charm.
“In the past, Hikkaduwa was the hub of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, whereas Unawatuna was not yet popular among tourists. However, it was one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with a breathtaking natural environment.”
Today, Unawatuna’s artificially modified coastline is suffering from severe erosion. Despite the influx of local and foreign tourists, the shoreline has significantly diminished. Andrea expressed deep concern over the destruction of the beach.
A Nostalgic Return
“In 1975, I stayed in Sri Lanka for three months, mainly at Mr. Amarasinghe’s house in Unawatuna. Those three months were a significant part of my life. I got to experience life fully and appreciate the country’s natural beauty.”
She fondly remembers fishermen casting their nets along the shore and catamarans resting on the sand—a picturesque scene from a time when Unawatuna was just a fishing village.
“Back then, the area had no electricity, and people used kerosene lamps at night. There were no bathrooms; people fetched water from wells. I stayed with Mr. Amarasinghe’s family, along with his three children. It was a wonderful time.”
She recalls how, without telephone facilities, she had to travel to the Galle post office every Saturday to make calls home. Public transport was limited to government-owned Lanka Ashok Leyland buses.
Meeting Arthur C. Clarke
During Andrea’s stay in Unawatuna, another notable figure resided there—renowned scientist and author Arthur C. Clarke. Andrea had the opportunity to meet him and even visited his residence.
“Arthur C. Clarke put Sri Lanka on the world map. Back then, the country was known as Ceylon. He gave Unawatuna international recognition, listing it as one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world. That’s when foreign tourists started coming here.”
Today, Unawatuna is a bustling tourist hotspot, attracting visitors from around the world. Many hotels are fully booked, especially with the influx of Australian and British cricket fans arriving for the Sri Lanka vs. Australia cricket series at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.
Love for Sri Lankan Food
Andrea has a great appreciation for Sri Lankan cuisine. Recently, Pol Sambol (coconut sambol) and Kiri Hodi (coconut milk gravy) have been a trending topic due to a statement made by a government minister. Andrea describes them as some of the most delicious foods in the world.
“There’s nothing like eating Pol Sambol with a piece of bread—it’s absolutely delicious!”
She admires Sri Lanka for its unique culinary traditions, unavailable in many other countries.
Concerns About Environmental Destruction
Despite her admiration, Andrea believes Sri Lankans should care more for their environment.
“This country is incredibly rich in natural beauty, something not every nation has. But people throw cigarette butts and plastic waste on the beaches. When I visited Colombo, I saw plastic bottles scattered everywhere. Economic and social progress is meaningless if we do not respect nature. The way we treat our environment determines our future.”
Standing on the eroded Unawatuna shoreline, looking at haphazard concrete structures, Andrea reflected, “Time brings change, but if managed properly, development can happen beautifully. I feel deeply saddened by the state of Unawatuna today.”
Her words left us reflecting on whether we are truly appreciating and protecting the incredible natural gift we have.
