Culture

  Abstract In October 1967, a deliberate act of vandalism severely damaged the Sigiriya frescoes, one of Sri Lanka’s most significant cultural heritage assets. Contrary to popular belief, the damage was caused not by tar but by the application of industrial enamel paint, which posed an unprecedented conservation challenge due to its deep penetration into the ancient lime-plaster substrate. This paper examines the nature of the damage, the scientific rationale behind the chosen conservation methodology, and the outcomes of the six-month restoration programme undertaken by Sri Lankan conservators with international assistance. The case represents one of the earliest large-scale applications of modern chemical conservation techniques to wall paintings in South Asia and remains a benchmark for heritage conservation ethics and practice in Sri Lanka. 1. Introduction The frescoes at Sigiriya , dating to the 5th century CE, constitute a rare surviving example of early South Asian wall pain...