RANGIRI-DAMBULU VIHARAYA NEEDS RESTORATION :PROF.MANDAWALA

Director General, Archaeology Prof. P.b.mandawala yesterday warned that legal action would be taken against those who obstructed the development and preservation of the World Heritage Site ‘Rangiri – Dambulu Viharaya’.

Addressing the media at the Education Ministry, Mr. Mandawala said the murals at the cave temple in Dambulla were peeling off, paintings had faded and were exposed to the mercy of mother nature, due to lack of proper programme to protect them. He also said the layer between the stones and plaster has become wet and is on the verge of collapse. The increased level of hydrogen and uncontrolled gathering of pilgrims inside the temple and high humidity had aggravated the situation. Plaster on the walls were falling and high voltage camera lights had endangered the paintings.

“The people who had been employed for the restoration work at the Dambulla cave temple have been withdrawn on the orders of the Temple authorities. The intervention of the Central Cultural Fund and the Archaeology Department was necessary to preserve this temple but all officials of the two public institutions have been withdrawn by now,” Mr. Mandawala added.

The Cave Temples in Dambulla had been identified as a protected monument under the Archaeology Department. Accordingly, any development work or change carried out in the temple must get the prior approval of the DG of Archeology, he said. Secretary, Ministry of Education Sunil Hettiarachchi said a confrontation was not necessary for that issue and all parties involved in it must realise the situation and work accordingly as the preservation of the Dambulla Cave Temple was a duty towards the nation.