The Director General of Archaeology said that although Sigiriya is not currently in danger of being removed from the World Heritage List, the Director General of the Department of Archaeology, Professor D. Thusitha Mendis, says that Sigiriya may be threatened in the future due to unauthorized constructions around Sigiriya.
Accordingly, he further said that plans have been made to remove 124 unauthorized constructions that are affecting the World Heritage Site of Sigiriya.
Speaking at a media briefing, he further said:
“These unauthorized constructions have taken place in such sensitive areas because of the way previous governments handled this and the lack of a permit system. There are 124 unauthorized constructions within the 200 and 400 yard limit from the Sigiriya rock. We have now launched the necessary work to remove them. An inter-agency committee has been formed by bringing together 15 institutions. The government hopes to remove these people by formulating a formal program.”
Sigiriya was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.