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Sigiriya curator threatens to sue media for exposing wewa fill
The ‘Society for the Protection of Sigiriya’ claims that a part of the wewa (ancient tank) at Sigiriya is to be filled and a building constructed there as a prop for a foreign film to be shot locally.
The society stated that a certain section of the wewa has already been filled, and that, stone, sand, brick, metal, etc. transported to fill the rest.
The wewa itself is the property of the Department of Archaeology.
Secretary of the ‘Society’, Lionel Gunesekera, said that the people in the area are against this kind of exploitation of ‘the most scenic part of Sigiriya’.
“The Department of Archaeology customarily does not allow as much as a pit to be dug in this locale,” he said accusingly.
Sigiriya curator, Mrs C.K. Bhoopalie when contacted, said that permission has been obtained for such a construction, but that, the construction will be dismantled after it had served its purpose.
When queried on such particulars as the film’s country of origin, and how the temporary construction is to be removed, the curator refused to answer, warning she will sue the media for ‘creating unnecessary trouble’.
When Minister of National Heritage Jagath Balasooriya was consulted, he admitted that permission for such a construction had been granted, but said that, if it proves to be damaging to the archaeological remains, it could be forestalled.
He said that foreign companies are allowed to initiate such projects only under a heavy price, and added he will further look into the matter.