Panic Among Small Business Owners in Sigiriya as New Construction Ban Imposed

Small business owners and residents in and around Egiriya are in a state of panic following the government’s announcement that all new constructions will be banned within the restricted zone around the Sigiriya rock fortress. Existing unauthorised structures, many of which are modest tourism-related ventures run by villagers, are also set to be removed under the new directive.

The decision, jointly taken by the Department of Archaeology, the Central Cultural Fund, and other state institutions, designates two critical zones around the UNESCO World Heritage Site: a 200-yard no-construction zone, and an adjacent 200-yard sensitive zone, where prior permission is required for any activity.

The move has sparked anxiety among locals, many of whom depend on small-scale tourism businesses — from juice stalls and handicrafts to bicycle rentals and guest huts — for their livelihoods.

“We’ve spent years building up our small stalls to serve tourists. Now we’re being told to pack up and leave, while massive hotels that clearly violate the law continue to operate untouched,” said Sunila Mahagedara, a vendor near the Egiriya junction.

"Two Laws" for Sigiriya?

Lionel Gunasekara, president of the Organisation to Protect Sigiriya, voiced strong criticism of the authorities’ selective enforcement:

“If they’re serious about protecting Sigiriya, why haven't they taken action against large hotels built on encroached land? Why only chase after the poor?”

Residents have expressed deep skepticism that this is about preservation alone. Many fear that once locals are pushed out, the same lands will be quietly transferred to private developers under the guise of regulated tourism — a scenario they claim has already occurred near the Rangiri Dambulu Raja Maha Viharaya.

Past Echoes, Present Fears

Ranbanda  Sirisumana, a long-time resident of the area, noted that:

“Back then, land was acquired to ‘protect heritage’. Later, it was leased to hotels. What’s to stop the same from happening here?”

Selective Enforcement?

Several villagers also alleged that they have been fined, harassed, or taken to court over simple cadjan huts or temporary stalls — while large concrete hotel structures nearby operate undisturbed.

“We’re not against protecting Sigiriya. This is our heritage too. But don’t punish us while turning a blind eye to those with money and political connections,” said Kusumsiri Bandara, a tuk-tuk driver who now fears losing his customer base if tourist access is tightly restricted.

Calls for Transparency and Equality

Locals are now calling on the government to conduct a full inquiry into how planning permission was granted to certain businesses and to publish a list of structures deemed “illegal.”

As tensions rise, many in Egiriya feel betrayed, caught between preservation policies and what they see as selective enforcement that threatens their livelihoods.