TOURISM IN SIGIRIYA HIT BY CORONAVIRUS FEARS

The outbreak of the New Coronavirus in China and its spread in many countries across the world has also tremendously impacted the small scale service providers in the tourism industry in Sri Lanka. Sigiriya popularly known as the “eighth wonder of the world” is one of the worst hit locations due to the drastic decline of tourists which has declined by 90 percent, especially due to the decrease in the number of arrivals from China.

A large number of locals provide elephant safaris and low priced accommodation for tourists who visit Sigirya. Chinese tourists in particular are used to patronising these places which provide recreation food and accommodation all at low prices.

Tourists arrivals have become a major income source for most of the local population in Sigiriya. Some of them expressed their concerns over the prevailing situation. Chaminda Herath who operates a Jeep Safari Service said they faced a similar situation in April following the Easter Sunday massacre. However they had gradually begun gaining normalcy with time but once again they are facing a similar predicament due to the effects

Tourists arrivals have become a major income source for most of the local population in Sigiriya. Some of them expressed their concerns over the prevailing situation

of the New Coronavirus . The Chinese comprise of a larger share of tourists arriving in Sigiriya. However today we see very few tourists in Sigiriya, even tourists from other countries have declined.

Ch a mind a Ru wan Gunasekera a tourist guide earning his income by guiding tourists to places of interest in Sigiriya said, most of his service recipients are from China. He said the Chinese tourists prefer to go to low price hotels and other trade stalls and these traders are the worst hit due to the prevailing situation. A Three wheeler driver Ruwan Sanjeewa’s sole income is by transporting tourists from Dambulla to Sigiriya and back. He also lamented the lack of tourist arrivals in Sigiriya.

Officials of the Central Cultural Fund and the Department of Archaeology also affirmed that effects of the New Coronavirus in China has adversely affected the small scale tourist industry in Sigiriya.