The 1967 tragedy of Sigiriya

by Premasara EPASINGHE

"I will introduce a National Cultural Policy which will assist the people to enjoy a high cultural life. The objectives of this policy will be to preserve our ancient art and cultural heritage, to introduce the salient features of the universal art and cultural heritage, to enrich the lives of the citizens with high mental and spiritual qualities and to create a society of people who are intelligent, discerning and innovative."

Enrichment of Arts and Culture - A quote from: Mahinda Chintana - Page 87.

Towards a new Sri Lanka

True to his word, President Mahinda Rajapaksa implements and keeps his promises. Recently, he ordered that immediate action be taken in restoring the affected Sigiriya frescoes. He directed the National Heritage and Cultural Affairs Ministry to implement a viable program to conserve the ancient Sigiriya frescoes for posterity with the assistance of scientists and experts in the conversion when they were discoloured.

The President who knows the value of Sigiriya, - A treasure House on Art, paid an on the spot inspection tour of Sigiriya with Heritage and Cultural Affairs Minister Pavithra Vanniarachchi, Chief Minister Central Province Sarath Ekanayake, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Heritage and Cultural Affairs Ministry Secretary Wimal Rubesinghe, Lakshman Perera MP and Director General Dr. Senarath Dissanayake.

Sigiriya is one of Sri Lanka's main cultural centres. Today, it is considered one of the 'eight wonders of the world' and a leading tourist attraction. During King Kashyapa's reign, (the seventieth King of Sri Lanka) it was a place of safety. Its beautiful breathtaking majestic view, architecture, buildings, lakes, reservoirs, moat, springs and paintings of pretty Apsaras, Vijjulathas, Meghalathas, Damsels proceeding to the neighbouring temple - Pidurangala, "Mirror wall" where renowned Archaeological Commissioner Professor Dr. Senerath Paranavitana deciphered 685 poems in his Masterpiece Sigiri Graffiti are a store house of cultural value. These are some of the greatest treasures of art we can proudly boast of.

I pen these few lines as I was one of the few persons, who witnessed the "Tragedy of Sigiriya" in the late 1960s.

In 1963, I was appointed a teacher in Dambulla in the cadjan-shed Sigiriya Vidyalaya, which is in close proximity to the Sigiriya Rest House.

The harsh climate of the dry zone was such, even the wind did not have a cooling effect, although, huge towering trees grew in abundance in the environment of Sigiriya Rock Fortress. The hot sand was like burning hot charcoal. It may have been very close to "Kihinaguruk" mentioned in the "Vannupatha Jatakaya", which was supposed to emanate unbearable heat.

On October 14, 1967, as usual the sun gradually spread its rays across the mistladen beautiful landscape, covering the majestic Sigiriya Rock. I went to school at about 7.15 a.m. An excited student came racing on his bicycle, alighted, uttered these heart-breaking words.

"Sir, last night, some vandals daubed paint on the Sigiriya frescoes. My father who serves as a watcher said even some of the frescoes were destroyed, damaged badly, beyond repair.

Accompanied by some students, I rushed to Sigiriya, and went up the spiral ladder. At the door- step, I met my good friend, R. B. Nugegoda, Assistant Archaeological Commissioner, Sigiriya in deep thought. He was in tears.

From close to the Sigiriya frescoe pocket, he said "Mr. Epasinghe, about 15-16 Sigiriya frescoe paintings were daubed with lacquer paint. Then about five or six paintings were completely destroyed, damaged beyond repair. Probably the culprits have used iron-rods in destroying these treasures" said heart-broken Nugegoda. The floor inside the Gallery Pocket was multi-coloured with the colours of the paintings. I could not believe my eyes. I was the "first outsider" to witness or see this brutal and wicked crime ever recorded in the Cultural history of the world in the 20th century. I was really shaken and lost. In my life, this episode was the greatest tragedy I have ever seen.

During my University days, I worked as "stringer" or "Part-time Reporter" for the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited Lake House. I knew, "Defacing of the Sigiriya frescoes" was World News. There were no mobile phones at that time. I rushed to the rest house and booked a Trunk call to Lake House through the Dambulla Exchange.

As the Post Master Piyasena, was my tennis partner at Dambulla, he gave top priority to my request and put me through to Dinamina News Editor the late U.L.D. Chandratilake. When I said hello, Chandratilake recognised my voice. In a nutshell, I gave the news-reports. Chandratilake was highly excited and shouted to his colleagues.

"Wette, Wette, Epasinghe on line. He says, Sigiriya frescoes destroyed".

Immediately, the highly respected Editors of Dinamina and Daily News the late Dharmapala Wettasinghe and late Cecil Graham spoke to me, I briefed them on the incident too. I told them, to send and experienced journalist and a photographer immediately. By evening, the late Dayasena Gunasinghe and late Wally Perera arrived.

This was how, "The Tragedy of Sigiriya" began. Between 9-10 a.m., Sigiriya became a hive of activity and the police arrived. Then, various Government officials rushed to Sigiriya to see the tragedy.

A giant police officer Joseph arrived with some "Top Cops" and immediately they went into action. They picked many youths, who were running boutiques near the moat and in the boundary of the Sigiriya Rock.

The Archaeological officers attached to Sigiriya a few days earlier instructed the boutique keepers to vacate their premises. They were built in encroached land that belonged to Sigiriya Archaeological Department. The defacing of the frescoes took place immediately after they vacated the premises. The police were of the opinion that the boutique-keepers were responsible for the heinous crime. The police grilled them. But, they could not trace the culprits. It reminded me of a mystery similar to the famous "Mystery of the Hanging Rock" in Melbourne, Australia.

In this incident, 100 girls went on an excursion to the see the "Hanging Rock". Two of them, in the evening, went near the entrance to the Rock. Suddenly, they disappeared. Up-to-date, even the bones or the clothes of these two girls were not recovered. The culprits who were involved in the Sigiriya incident remains a mystery up-to-date.

On the following day, (15) my story hit the headlines. The Dinamina, Daily News and Thinakaran carried Banner-Headlines.

"Sigiriya Vinasai -

Sigiriya Destroyed"

The following day, the 15th early morning, Daya, Wally and I, climbed Sigiriya. We were not allowed to climb the spiral ladder to see the damage. I spoke to Nugegoda - Asst. Commissioner and asked permission to get into the "Pocket" where the tragedy took place.

It was politely turned down. Then, Rolly-Polly, photographer the late Wally Perera spoke to Nugegoda.

"Sir you cannot hide this. This is, international news. We have to break the news to the world.

The people of this country and the world must know about this unfortunate incident."

After a discussion, "Wally uncle" won the day. He photographed the tragedy. Daya and I, interviewed the watchers, officers and police- men. Sigiriya was bubbling with activity. The hurly burly Joseph-Gaffoor - police combination were present. Many government officers from Kandy, Matale, Naula, Dambulla, Galewela, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa flocked to Sigiriya.

Three of us, Daya, Wally and I, after collecting details arrived at Lake House in about three hours. Ariyaratne, our driver, of the jeep was more like a Grand Prix champion driver.

On our arrival, Dharmapala Wettasinghe, Wimalasiri Perera, S. Subasinghe, and Cecil Graham instructed me to meet former Archaeological Commissioner Professor Senarath Paranavitana immediately for a story. I met him at his residence - Raymond Road, Nugegoda.

The Government of Sri Lanka with the assistance of UNESCO invited an Italian Expert Lusiano Maranzi to repair the cultural damage. Dr. Raja de Silva, the renowned Archaeologist and Scientist was the first to commence the repair work. Thanks to this great man and the Italian Expert Maranzi, we were fortunate to see the smiling faces of Apsaras, Vijjulathas and Meghalathas.

Sigiriya was neglected and covered with shrub jungle from the 19th century. It is said that it was re-discovered by an Englishman, an Army Officer Forbes. A British National Rhys Davis, who was a civil servant was the first to discover the frescoes in the Sigiriya Rock. He once mentioned this at a lecture delivered at the Royal Asiatic Society in England.

Alick Murray, an Englishman who worked in this country was the first to climb Mirror Wall - Plaster Wall, according to Dr. Senarath Paranavitana.

Sigiriya and Paranavitana are inseparable. The people who worked with Paranavitana considered this erudite scholar, Paranavitana as a God. They call him "Paranavitana Deviyo." Paranavitana is considered a Rain - Giver. Believe if or not when Dr. Paranavitana visited Sigiriya with Minister of Education I.M.R.A. Iriyagolla, to see the tragedy, on that day, it rained.

When I met Dr. Paranavitana he expressed his sentiments thus: "Epasinghe, I looked after and protected Sigiriya and the valuable frescoes like my own eyes. As the Commissioner, I kept guard, watchers on duty, day and night for the safety of the frescoes and the Mirror Wall. I understand that lately, the security were withdrawn or removed. I saw tears rolling down Dr. Paranavitana's cheek.

"Epasinghe, Sigiriya Ma Reka Balagatthe Mage Es Deka Wagei. We should be grateful to the President for taking immediate steps to restore the pristine glory of Sigiriya.