Preserving the 'Eighth Wonder'

Nimal WIJESINGHE-Anuradhapura Additional District group correspondent

The restoration and preservation program of historic Sigiriya, the marvellous rock fortress, which has been declared the 'Eighth Wonder' of the world is being expanded.

At a cost of Rs. 50 million allocated by the Japanese Bank for International Corporation two rehabilitation projects are underway at Sigiriya. These are the reviving of the loosen and disintegrating pieces of rock and boulders belonging to the outer rock wall and the fixing of a platform made out of stainless steel for viewing the world famous Sigiriya Frescoes (cloud maidens) in the proximity of the frescoes pocket.

These restoration and rehabilitations projects are entirely handled by the Geological Surveys and Mines Bureau that comes under the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

Explaining the latest development in the rehabilitation program Dr. N.P. Wijayananda the Chairman of the G.S.M.B. told Daily News that they have planned to launch an archaeology-friendly research in the premises of Sigiriya and its surroundings for hidden ancient structures buried in the deep earth by using earth (ground) Penetrating Radar, a sophisticated instrument which provides adequate and correct data, valuable information and clues of a historic sites avoiding unnecessary earth excavations, based on some guess work and inferences.

"On an experimental basis we operated this gadget in some pre-historic burial grounds in Diganpathana close to Ibbankattuwa which produced encouraging and successful results. Now we are preparing to repeat this exercise in Sigiriya fortress area, which would help the authorities to unearth or uncover some monuments architecture, etc. concealed underneath the ground level," Dr. Wijayananda said.

Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka is expected to visit Sigiriya on an inspection tour of the ongoing rehabilitation projects and for his observation there will be a demonstration of this 'Radar Mechanism' in Sigiriya.