Ancient structure in Medirigiriya on the brink of destruction

COLOMBO (News1st): The Medirigiriya Vatadageya, a Buddhist structure built during the Anuradhapura era, is on the brink of destruction, area residents have pointed out. The structure is located on a 200-acre land, in which illegal mining activities have been taking place despite deploying 15 security officers for the protection of the site. "Treasure looters have destroyed this place," one resident remarked. "In the 1970's this was a place filled with treasure across 200 acres of lands. Today, only about 10 acres of lands are remaining". Five incidents of illegal mining have been reported from the site within this month alone. Attempts to inform officials regarding this have failed to elicit a swift response. Ven. Moragollagama Seewalie Thero, the President of the Medirigiriya Sashanarakshaka Board, said some artifacts such as rock pillars and the Punkalasa (prosperity pot) have been stolen from the site. "The Punkalasa at the Vatadageya is not there today," he said. "...the rock used in moonstones had been broken and taken away for hotels". Ven. Seewalie Thero added that Buddha statues at the site too have been destroyed.