Cave systems help protect, sustain environment
Priyanka Kurugala
Cave ecological systems are very important to protect and sustain an
environment, Post Graduate Institute of Archaeology personnel Dr
Wasantha Sena Welianga said.
“The project to map out caves in the country and to introduce cave
tourism to Sri Lanka has already in progress over the past two years. By
now, the group of cave explorers has so far studied the eco - systems of
52 of the country’s caves,” Dr Welianga said.
This project is being launched under the guidance of Post Graduate
Institute of Archaeology Dr Wasantha Sena Welianga.
“Around 10 out of the 20 caves so far mapped out are situated in the
in the Monaragala District,” he said.
“These caves were believed to be inhabitated by the Veddha community
in the past,” he said.
“Other inspected caves are located in the Rathnapura, Badulla and
Gampaha Districts. Numerous caves are hidden sites.
“However, a limited number of caves can be recognised or seen as open
areas,” he said.
“Among the important caves inspected is the massive Welimada
Sthreepura cave.This cave resembles a tunnel. The explorers have
inspected around 100m of huge cave which is about two to three metres in
height. Tributary caves have also been discovered at the Welimada
Sthreepura cave,” he said.
“Caves are natural habitats for bats which are very important for
pollination. Pollination cannot take place if bats were to lose their
natural environment. Bats eat insects as their staple food and therefor
help to control the insect population. We have to take these matters in
to consideration too promoting cave tourism,” he said.
“People collect minerals from caves by breaking speleothems in caves.
Such activities contribute to the destruction of the ecological systems
in caves,” he explained.
Sydney University, Australia Prof Osborne Armstrong, Central Cultural
Fund Geologist Pathma Jayasinghe, Architect A S Dandeniya are members of
the group. Nayomi Sayanara is the first Sri Lankan women involved in
scientific cave exploration. |
