Protective iron fence harming ancient Thonigala stone inscription

Area residents allege that the 'Thonigala Sellipiya' (stone inscription), the second largest stone inscription in the country, is in danger of being lost forever due to the negligence of archaeology officers. 

The inscription dates back to the First Century, BC, and is said to be one of the most valuable such inscriptions dating from this period. 

The Thonigala Sellipiya is made up of two stone inscriptions, one with 137 letters and the other with 117 letters, both written in ancient Brahmi Script. 

However, the iron fence erected by the Archaeology Department several years ago to protect the inscriptions is alleged to be actually harming them. 

Residents charge that the cement mixture used to fix the iron fence in place has had a reaction with the rock where the inscriptions have been carved, resulting in the stone inscription itself from coming to harm. 

When contacted, Director General of Archaeology, Dr Senarath Dissanayake said he was unaware of the matter but will immediately send a team of archaeologists to the area to investigate.

Text and Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe in Puttalam