Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple
Factors affecting the property in 1999*
- Management systems/ management plan
- Ritual / spiritual / religious and associative uses
- Other Threats:
General deterioration of the Golden Temple
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Legal framework
- Management activities
- Management systems/ management plan
International Assistance: requests for the property until 1999
Total amount approved : 3,333 USD
| 1997 | Technical cooperation for 6 inscribed cultural sites (Approved) | 3,333 USD |
Missions to the property until 1999**
Information presented to the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 1999
Summary of previous deliberations: At its twenty-second session, the Bureau examined the reports from ICOMOS, the Secretariat and the Permanent Delegation of Sri Lanka, concerning the damage at the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy, following the terrorist bombing in January 1998. The authorities of Sri Lanka were requested to submit a report concerning the progress made in the restoration work undertaken, for presentation to the twenty-second session of the Committee. To date, this report has not been received by the Secretariat. However, ICOMOS experts found during a monitoring mission in December 1998, that conservation and restoration works are progressing steadily. On the other hand, the World Heritage Centre has not received sufficient justification for the 1998 financial support for technical co-operation and promotional assistance for the Sacred City of Kandy site.
New information: ICOMOS monitoring missions to these three World Heritage sites were undertaken in December 1998:
ICOMOS experts reported on the state of conservation of the site and its buffer zone, including information on the improved infrastructure around the site. However, ICOMOS experts expressed concern that no conservation work has been carried out at the Golden Temple since the site’s inscription on the World Heritage List, which has resulted in the general deterioration of the monument.
ICOMOS experts recommended that immediate intervention be arranged. ICOMOS experts made eight recommendations for improved conservation and management of the site, including the removal of the newly constructed temple that is alien to the World Heritage complex.
Action Required
The Bureau, having examined the reports of ICOMOS, expresses concern over the state of conservation of the World Heritage sites of the Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications, and the Golden Temple of Dambulla. The Bureau requests the Government of Sri Lanka to take urgent measures for enhanced conservation, presentation and management of these two sites, and to halt new construction which could undermine the integrity of the sites. In particular, the Bureau requests the Authorities of Sri Lanka to submit a technical co-operation request, with the assistance of the World Heritage Centre, to formulate a Development Plan for the Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications. The Bureau, while commending the relevant authorities on the high level of management at the Sacred City of Kandy, requests that they continue their efforts to enhance the management of the site. The Bureau recommends that the authorities of Sri Lanka consider extending the core zone of the Sacred City of Kandy site to include the Kandy Lake and Udawattakele, and the buffer zone to include the mountain range of Walker Estate. Extension of the Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications to include the ancient harbour is also recommended.
The Bureau encourages the relevant authorities to consider the ICOMOS recommendations following its mission in December 1998. The Bureau requests the State Party to submit a report on the progress made in the restoration works at the Temple of the Tooth at Kandy by 15 September 1999, to enable reporting to the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau in November 1999. Finally, the Bureau requests the State Party to submit a report on the progress made in improving the general management of all three sites, before 1 May 2000 for consideration by the twenty-fourth session of the Bureau in June/July 2000.Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1999
23 BUR IV.B.78
State of conservation
Sacred City of Kandy (Sri Lanka); Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications (Sri Lanka); Golden Temple of Dambulla (Sri Lanka)
At its twenty-second session, the Bureau examined the reports from ICOMOS, the Secretariat and the Permanent Delegation of Sri Lanka, concerning the damage at the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy, following the terrorist bombing in January 1998. The authorities of Sri Lanka were requested to submit a report concerning the progress made in the restoration work undertaken, for presentation to the twenty-second session of the Committee. To date, this report has not been received by the Secretariat. However, ICOMOS experts found during a monitoring mission in December 1998, that conservation and restoration works are progressing steadily. On the other hand, the World Heritage Centre has not received sufficient justification for the 1998 financial support for technical co-operation and promotional assistance for the Sacred City of Kandy site.
ICOMOS monitoring missions to these three World Heritage sites were undertaken in December 1998:
23 BUR IV.B.81
Golden Temple of Dambulla (Sri Lanka)
ICOMOS experts reported on the state of conservation of the site and its buffer zone, including information on the improved infrastructure around the site. However, ICOMOS experts expressed concern that no conservation work has been carried out at the Golden Temple since the site’s inscription on the World Heritage List, which has resulted in the general deterioration of the monument.
ICOMOS experts recommended that immediate intervention be arranged. ICOMOS experts made eight recommendations for improved conservation and management of the site, including the removal of the newly constructed temple that is alien to the World Heritage complex.
The Bureau, having examined the reports of ICOMOS, expressed concern over the state of conservation of the World Heritage sites of the Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications, and the Golden Temple of Dambulla. The Bureau requested the Government of Sri Lanka to take urgent measures for enhanced conservation, presentation and management of these two sites, and to halt new construction, which could undermine the integrity of the sites. In particular, the Bureau requests the Authorities of Sri Lanka to submit a technical co-operation request, with the assistance of the World Heritage Centre, to formulate a Development Plan for the Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications. The Bureau, while commending the relevant authorities on the high level of management at the Sacred City of Kandy, requested that they continue their efforts to enhance the management of the site. The Bureau recommended that the authorities of Sri Lanka consider extending the core zone of the Sacred City of Kandy site to include the Kandy Lake and Udawattakele, and the buffer zone to include the mountain range of Walker Estate. Extension of the Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications to include the ancient harbour was also recommended.
The Bureau encouraged the relevant authorities to consider the ICOMOS recommendations following its mission in December 1998. The Bureau requested the State Party to submit a report on the progress made in the restoration works at the Temple of the Tooth at Kandy by 15 September 1999, to enable reporting to the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau in November 1999. Finally, the Bureau requested the State Party to submit a report on the progress made in improving the general management of all three sites, before 1 May 2000 for consideration by the twenty-fourth session of the Bureau in June/July 2000.
Sri Lanka
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.
