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Sri Lanka's history under attack
Environmentalists warn that unchecked vandalism and neglect are destroying thousands of ancient rock caves in Sri Lanka, with scores of Buddha statues rendered headless and paintings defaced.

In the absence of a detailed survey, it is believed there are between 3,000 and 4,000 caves of historic importance in the country, bearing testimony to its ancient history and religion.

Former archaeology director general Shiran Deraniyagala declared that unless the authorities took immediate action to save the caves, important historical evidence would soon be gone, reports OneWorld. He alleged there was an orchestrated move to destroy archaeological sites to remove precious artefacts.

One of the priceless relics is the remains of a female at Bulathsinhala in Kalutara district that testifies to the consumption of rice, maize and salt. The body remains embedded in a rock dates back to 30,500 BC and is considered the world's oldest proof of consumption of rice, maize and salt.

The rock cave is named after the famous Chinese Buddhist monk Fa-Hien who travelled in India and Sri Lanka from 399 to 414 AD. He stayed in this cave for the major part of his sojourn in Sri Lanka. Today sans security and conservation efforts, its condition is fast deteriorating.

While geometric tool kits are believed to have first been used by the Europeans in 12,500 BC, similar tools dating back to as early as 28,500 BC were found in two caves in low-lying wetlands in Sabaragamuwa province.

Rock caves played a major role in fostering Sri Lanka's temple-based civilization, following the introduction of Buddhism in the 2nd century BC by Mahinda, the son of emperor Asoka of India. Almost 70 percent of the temples and monasteries of the Buddhist monks were cave-based till 500 years or so ago.

In addition, for meditation purposes, the monks inscribed religious verses on the walls, while artists painted the temple cave walls with murals and pictures describing their religion.

Laments prominent environmentalist Nihal Fernando, who has conducted extensive studies on the rock caves especially in the country's southeast coast: "Treasure hunters have destroyed almost all the Buddha statues - numbering over 100 - in the caves of the southeast coast."

"I have seen hundreds of headless statues here. They blow them up to obtain gems and other treasures they are generally thought to conceal." This apart, there are several instances where the historic cave paintings, some dating back to more than 10 centuries, have been defaced by individuals for no obvious reasons.

Stresses Fernando: "Irreparable damage has been done, without leaving any traces. As most of these caves are in the jungles, anybody can deface them without being noticed." Recently a number of paintings were defaced in the historic Dimbulagala rock cave in Polonnaruwa district.

In addition, the caves have fallen prey to misuse. Says Jagath Gunawardena, a leading environment attorney: "A large number of caves once inhabited by Buddhist monks are now being used to brew illicit liquor and hide unauthorised weapons."

Worse, a large number of caves here have not even been examined so far. Said archaeologist Ellawala Medananda: "Every day vital historical proof is destroyed in caves in some part of the country."
- (Courtesy New Kerala)

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