Fire guts Seetha Maligawa

Yasaratne GAMAGE

A fire broke up at the historic Seetha Maligawa in Parakkrama Samudraya in Polonnaruwa and destroyed most of the 950 year old building. Provincial Archaeological officers, Kaduruwela police and villagers took every effort to put out the fire, according to Polonnaruwa archaeological Department sources.

The historic palace which is said to have been the summer residence of King Parakkramabahu, which is one of his great creations, is mounted on a natural highland in the middle of Parakkrama Samudraya. Polonnaruwa Achaeological Investigative officer H M Abeykoon told the Daily News that as soon as he heard of the fire, he called the fire brigade and Kadurewela Police.

The three stepped palace which is usually submerged up to one step has been fully exposed due to the receding water in August. Police and the provincial archaeological office suspect unscrupulous behaviour of fishermen or visitors might have been the cause of the fire.

Efforts by the Daily News to contact Archaeological Department Director General regarding the matter failed several times.