Students take note, you will be ‘watched’ at historical sites Tougher laws soon

Recent defacing incident at Sigiriya by 3 schoolchildren results in more guards being deployed at site, tougher laws to be passed Teach them young to appreciate historical artefacts, say experts; teachers of govt. schools in Hatton summoned for meeting

Teachers of government schools in Hatton have been summoned for a meeting on Thursday after three students from Maskeliya were caught defacing the Sinha Padaya or Lion's Paw in Sigiriya.

On Tuesday, the principal of the relevant school was sent a letter asking for explanation within a week, C. Kanapathy, Zonal Director of Education for Hatton said. She stressed that teachers should take the blame for failing to educate children against such irresponsible behaviour. She said they should have stopped the students while they were engaged in the act of defacement.

"They shouldn't be teachers if they are not aware of simple facts like this" Mrs. Kanapathay said. Principals who will convene on Thursday will be strictly instructed to educate students on the importance of protecting antiquities.

Following this incident, students visiting archaeological sites will be strictly monitored under new measures to be introduced to stop defacement.

Authorities have also tightened surveillance at historic Sigiriya after three schoolchildren scratched their names on the Sinha Padaya or Lion’s Paw. The Central Cultural Fund (CCF) has recruited 50 guards and deployed 45 of them at the rock fortress.

Teachers too will be required to fill out a

The Archaeology Department is in the process of amending existing legislation to ensure more stringent punishment for the offences of defacement, damage and theft of artefacts, Director General Senerath Dissanayake said.

Provisions will be introduced to subject wrongdoers to a period of imprisonment in addition to fines. The changes will also ensure that those who aid and abet such activities would be penalised.

The amendments have been presented to the Cabinet for approval. form with details of their respective schools and students when they come on school trips to historical sites, CCF Director General Chandana Weerasinghe said. “This information sheet will also educate children and teachers about penalties that could be imposed on persons who deface or damage artefacts,” he stressed.

The three students from a school in Maskeliya who were taken to the Sigiriya police station on March 15 after they defaced the Lion’s Paw were released following a strong warning.

The defaced areas of the Sinha Padaya were restored with charcoal and plaster.

Mr. Weerasinghe said the guard assigned to that location had been at another post when the incident occurred. He added that authorities had not anticipated anyone causing damage to the Sinha Padaya and guards were usually advised to focus on the famed Mirror Wall and the frescoes that have been subject to vandalism over the years.

It was fortunate that a layer of moss on the Sinha Padaya had prevented major damage to the plaster, said Dr. Senerath Dissanayake, Director General of the Archaeology Department. Around 12 names had been scribbled on the surface of the paw. Two of these had been deep enough to damage a layer of plaster.

Adding that the authorities faced practical problems in enforcing the law since the suspects were juveniles who could not be prosecuted Dr. Dissanayake said they were let off with a strong warning.

A person can be charged for damaging, defacing or stealing antiquities under Article 15 of the Antiquities Ordinance. They are non-bailable offences that carry penalties that include fines or imprisonment. Dr. Dissanayake said there were instances where miscreants merely paid a fine and walked away free. “People who can and are willing to throw away money always get away,” he rued.

Deeman Ananda, a researcher who has conducted studies on ancient sites, said the main reason behind the occurrence of such incidents was the negligence of protection staff. “Where were the guards when all this was happening?” he asked.

Mr. Ananda also pointed out that although declared a World Heritage Site, Sigiriya did not receive the attention it deserved. “In another 20 years, there won’t be a Sigiriya,” he said, adding, “This will also be sold and made into a quarry to extract stones!”

Dr. Ashan Geeganage, a keen traveller to archaeological sites, told the Sunday Times that the problem of defacement was widespread.

“It’s everywhere,” he said. “Particularly in rock caves, drip ledge caves and walls with plaster, like in Sigirya.”

“People usually wrote their names, names of places, dates of birth, dates of visits, love affairs and telephone numbers while some even do drawings such as the Buddha’s hand,” he said adding that he believed such behaviour was due to a lack of public awareness of the value or significance of these sites.

“They are not educated during their younger days through media or school,” he said, adding that the CCF must use the television media to send out educational messages. “Also, school history lessons must include a component on what not to do at archaeological sites. We must promote travel habits,” Mr. Geeganage said.