Wanton destruction in Sigiriya Sanctuary as country reels under security threats

By Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa   

A shrewd individual had felled valuable trees in a large area of the Sigiriya Sanctuary, as the Security Establishment of the country were busy elsewhere, residents and environmentalists said.

“The individual had wantonly destroyed a vast area of the Sigiriya Sanctuary and the Sigiriya Archaeological Site with heavy-duty machinery,” a source said.

The area, he said, was in the west of the historical Piduragala Rock.

They said that the individual had cleared the jungle under the pretext of constructing a road and taken away valuable trees including teak, satinwood and ebony. 

The footpath through the jungle leading to a lake used for agricultural purposes had been cleared to erect a 35-foot wide road without concern about its wanton destruction.

Environmentalists said that the individuals responsible for clearing the wildlife sanctuary were planning to commence a business enterprise providing facilities for boating and swimming to tourists and that they constructed a road leading to the lake with the help of several officials including the Grama Niladhari of the area. 

However, Range Wildlife Conservator and Officer In Charge of the Sigiriya Sanctuary R.M.B. Bandaranyake said the Grama Niladhari of the area or any other official had not reported to him about such activity. 

He said any activity in the sanctuary should get the permission of the Department of Wildlife Conservation and that he would initiate legal action against the individuals concerned.