Video: Safety jackets essential to climb Sigiriya

4 July 2012 02:37 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 12 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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The Sigiriya Central Cultural Fund Manager Vajira Ferdinand said from today it was compulsory for foreign tourists to wear special protective jackets if they wished to go beyond the ‘Lion’s Paw’ when climbing the Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

Twenty Sri Lankans including two children and two foreign tourists were injured in another wasp attack yesterday. They had to be rushed to the Sigiriya Divisional Hospital.

After this wasp attack only foreign tourists were allowed to proceed beyond the ‘Lion’s Paw’.

A security officer at the site said this was being done because foreign tourists had to be given priority but it was mandatory to wear protective jackets if they wished to they proceed further.

He said some of the jackets had been sent to the cleaners and there was a shortage of jackets to cater to all those who climb the Rock.
A Central Cultural Fund official said this month alone there had been three wasp attacks. (Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa)

Comments - 12

Yuri Wednesday, 04 July 2012 02:58 PM

This is what call collection, after online visa to tourist.. now we start to kill the tourist

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ibnuaboo Wednesday, 04 July 2012 02:59 PM

After lot of sigiriya tourist under went wasp attack this safty method is announced. why this too late instruction. wasp attack problem is a crystel clear in sigiriya .authirities should have methods in ready in the event of this problem is started

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Manik Thursday, 05 July 2012 03:00 AM

Will only the jacket do? Bee keepers use nets to cover heads and faces.

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Nadeesh Thursday, 05 July 2012 02:58 AM

So what about local tourist? Are they different from foreigners?
However, some foreigners prefer kind of adventures tourism. So make this as an option. Not compulsary.

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andrewpitugala Thursday, 05 July 2012 03:50 AM

Space suit will be more suitable.

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Jayaa Thursday, 05 July 2012 03:41 AM

I too was a victim of Wasp attack in 2010. At that time my family and I were unable to come down for nearly 3 hours in the hot son at Sigiriya top. After three hours some Navy or Air force persons came up with mosquito nets (probably what they were using at their cam beds). In that instant it was found that some local visitors have thrown stones at wasps and provoked wasps that resulted in wasp attacks.

Sigiriya is one of the most interesting locations with historical values and everyone whether local or foreign should be given the opportunity to climb Sigiriya Rock at have a look at the magnificent scenery/view from Sigiriya rock . Authorities should take action to protect visitors and provide safety gear to experience this wonderful adventure.

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Bigsam Thursday, 05 July 2012 04:26 AM

How will jackets save anyone? And if they save people why compulsory only for tourists?

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Rania Thursday, 05 July 2012 05:05 AM

ei? Api Kaluda? Why protect only the foreigners, Aren't SL's precious too?

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Grammar policeman Thursday, 05 July 2012 05:21 AM

Yes, I thought the same thing: why only for tourists? Or maybe it is because tourists have to pay "ten" times more than locals and thus need greater protection? Whatever they are, they need to be removed--re-located--as gently as possible.

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murali Thursday, 05 July 2012 10:13 AM

Api Kaluda? LOL

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Ashad Wahab Sunday, 08 July 2012 04:23 AM

Currently the cost is for a foreigner is around LKR3700/= will there be an additional charge for the jacket?

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warnavalee Tuesday, 07 August 2012 10:36 AM

When 05/08/2012 attack occurred, we were there and saw 2 rouge-like local boys who both wore bluish shirts threw stones to wasp nests. I recommend to keep watchers near by always to prevent such Mal-practices.

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