Sigiriya to be restored with KOICA, ADB support
Sri Lanka’s iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is set to regain international attention following significant pledges of support for its conservation and development.
Recent support extended by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are geared toward improving the site’s tourist appeal while preserving its historical and cultural heritage.
KOICA has pledged to provide financial assistance of Rs.2.4 billion for a conservation project at Sigiriya,
The initiative, approved by the Department of Archaeology and to be executed under the supervision of the Central Cultural Fund, covers improving Sigiriya’s access road, building an alternative route, and developing facilities such as the Sigiriya Museum, a restaurant, and the ticket counter.
A MoU between KOICA and the Central Cultural Fund is under discussion, as instructed by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs.
A meeting under the patronage of its Deputy Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi on December 27 included KOICA Country Director Yongjin Kim, underlining the collaboration. The Ministry of Urban Development has also elaborated on the possibility of the project earning considerable tourism-related revenue.
In 2023, the ADB approved a US$15 million grant for improving tourism infrastructure and the overall development of rural areas for attracting more investments, with assured income generation within the precincts of Sigiriya.
The proposed project has nine subprojects: car parks, better sanitary facilities, an information centre, conservation of the archaeological site at Mapangala, and other community developments.
Other developments include the rehabilitation of Sigiri Lake, creation of a heritage path to Pidurangala, and recreational infrastructure at lakes like Inamaluwa and Galewela. A solid waste management system for the Digampathana area is also in the pipeline.
Adding a touch of modernity to Sigiriya’s transformation, Global Housing & Real Estate (Pvt) Ltd is nearing completion on the “Kingdom Sigiriya’, a luxury apartment complex near the fortress.
This six-floor complex houses 108 residential units and is designed with all possible amenities, including a swimming pool, Ayurvedic spa, and shopping arena. It will be completed in early 2025.
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