Around 70 percent of the ancient walls in Sigiriya destroyed

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Central Cultural Fund said around 70 percent of the ancient walls that are preserved in Sigiriya are destroyed as a result of tourists walking on them.

Director General of the Central Cultural Fund Prof. Gamini Ranasinghe said signs have been put up instructing visitors to refrain from walking on the ancient walls.

He said millions of rupees are spent annually to restore the ancient brick walls as many tourists disregard the signs.

Prof. Ranasinghe further said the ecosystem around the World Heritage Site of Sigiriya has also been severely affected due to the dumping of plastic bottles in the area.