The chief incumbent of Sri Pada, Ven. Bengamuwe Sri Dhammadinna Thera, alleged that YouTuber Ashen Senarathne climbed over a locked gate and filmed inside the sacred site after being refused entry during the off-season.
Although the Thera did not named the person, a video of Senaratne alleging that the Government has not done anything to repair the damage caused by Cyclon Ditwah went viral recently. In that video, Senaratne was asking the President to hand him over the sacred site if the latter cannot do anything to repair the damages.
The Thera said a guard had been instructed to deny entry and had objected when the YouTuber went inside. He said he had been told that Senarathne later posted a video criticising the Government and claiming that damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah had yet to be repaired. The Thera said he had not seen the video himself.
He disputed the reported claim, saying repairs to buildings damaged by the cyclone had been completed last year on the President’s instructions. He said the Ratnapura and Nuwara Eliya District Secretaries, Deputy Inspectors General of Police and other members of the security forces had helped carry out the repairs.
The Thera also alleged that some off-season visitors had damaged doors, windows and toilets along the Palabaddara route. He said he had overseen the renovation of four resting shelters and toilet facilities there after more than 60 years without maintenance.
He said he had opposed a proposal to charge off-season visitors. He also alleged that wildlife officials had previously charged some visitors entering via Nallathanniya between Rs. 6,000 and Rs. 7,000 before the practice was stopped.
