Ukrainian tourists clicking shots of Sigiriya frescoes SJB MP calls for police investigations

• A youth who was arrested for damaging the ‘Kurutu Gee’ in Sigiriya was sentenced to two years in prison 

By Yohan Perera   

Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Mayantha Dissanayake yesterday urged the police to conduct an investigation into the incident where Ukrainian tourists had been  taking photographs of Sigiriya frescoes, despite it being a prohibited act.   

Mr. Dissanayake who lodged a complaint with the Police Headquarters yesterday said the former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia and the 54 Ukrainian tourists had taken photographs of the Sigiriya frescoes despite the signs at the site denoting prohibition of such acts.  

There are provisions under legislations pertaining to disaster management and also in the Antiquities Ordinance. “A youth who was arrested for damaging the ‘Kurutu Gee’ in Sigiriya was sentenced to two years in prison and the law should be enforced against those responsible for the unlawful photographing of frescoes,” Mr. Dissanayake said.  

“Also we have noticed that procedures stipulated by the health authorities did not seem to have been followed by the tourists who visited historical sites such as Dalada Maligawa recently. This has resulted in the high risk of COVID -19 being spread further,” he added.

• Procedures stipulated by the health authorities did not seem to have  been followed by the tourists who visited historical sites such as  Dalada Maligawa recently