Wearing protective clothing (safety jackets) has been made compulsory for those climbing the Sigiriya Rock from yesterday, according to an official connected with the world heritage site, Sumedha Karunaratne.Safety jackets had been made compulsory but tourists had not complied with the guideline resulting in these wasp attacks, he added.Project Manager Karunaratne further said as the area was a wildlife reserve, the wasps could not be removed. As such it was essential that all visitors, both local and foreign, comply with the newly adopted measures.
In the wasp attack recently, 21 tourists and their guide were affected at the Lion’s Paw entrance. Regardless of this incident, according to Cultural Affairs Ministry, Sigiriya was opened to the public today.According to the Ministry, these protective clothes are provided free of charge and visitors are urged to wear these for protection.
Courtesy: Government Information Department
I was in a group of 5 tourists who were attacked by the Wasps teh day before this attack (Feb 11th, 2010). Three people were in hospital and one woman sustained over 100 stings.
I raised the alarm and not one site official listened to my plee for help. I stopped a further 40 tourists from entering the Lions Paw area.
NO SAFETY JACKETS or SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS were offered or available on entrance to Sigiriya. The comments that tourists are not complying with these regulations are totally untrue.
Sigiriya should be closed until adequate safety measures are put into place to protect tourists from this long standing problem.