Young woman remanded for damaging Sigiriya fresco wall

• The suspect was arrested on September 14 for scratching six English letters onto a section of the ancient fresco wall using a hairpin

By Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa

A 21-year-old woman from Avissawella has been remanded until September 26 for allegedly defacing a wall at the Sigiriya rock fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Dambulla Magistrate, Nilanta Vimalarathna, issued the order yesterday (15) after the suspect was arrested on September 14 for scratching six English letters onto a section of the ancient fresco wall using a hairpin.

According to police, the suspect was visiting Sigiriya with a group of others when the incident occurred. Authorities are continuing investigations into the damage caused to the historic site.