Wasp attacks continue unabated at Sigiriya Rock

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

Wasp attacks on tourists visiting the Sigiriya Rock continue unabated while no concrete measures have been taken to counter it large number of foreign tourists are visit the historic Rock Fortress.

A French tourist and a Sri Lankan were stung by wasps last week when they climbed the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. They were admitted to the Kimbissa hospital and their condition is not serious, police Media unit said.

Several schoolchildren and tourists visiting the Sigiriya Rock have been subjected to wasp attacks in the past.

The victims had been rescued by Police and Air Force personnel. Although such attacks have become more frequent in recent times no tangible measures have been taken to protect the visitors.

The worst wasp attack took place in March 2009 when 20 persons including tourists were stung by wasps and had to be hospitalised. They were rescued by Air Force personnel. Around 40 persons on top of the cliff were trapped following the wasp attack. In October 2007, dozens of tourists were stung by swarms of angry wasps' on the Sigiriya Rock and had to be evacuated by the military personnel.

Warm weather conditions and the noise created by visitors were the cause of the wasps' attacks, police said

The number of foreign tourists visiting Sri Lanka has been on the rise since the end of hostilities while hotels have reported high occupancy rates in the winter season, according to the Managing Director of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Dilip Mudandeniya.

Meanwhile, a guide book on tourist attractions in the former Northern and Eastern war zones will also be produced shortly.

Arrangements are being made to hold the world surfing championship in the East coast which is known to have some of the best beaches in the island.