Heritage tourism: complexities of land management and archaeological presentation

Abstract

Ibbankatuwa is possibly the best-known megalithic burial site in Sri Lanka where can be attractive to, and capable of appreciation. It has grate potentiality to foster tourism. The massive heritage site, built in 700 BC is great significance. Ibbankatuwa and its environs is perhaps the most numinous and archaeologically sensitive region which is a major tourist destination. Most importantly, locating two World heritage sites such as Sigiriya and Dambulla are playing a key role within the zone. It is obvious that the maintenance of a massive land area, social life of the people within the land and archaeological presentation of the site are the major problems currently associated with Ibbankatuwa which needs to be managed. It is significant to secure the preservation of the site to promote the enhancement of the character and the appearance of the environs (Boniface and Fowler, 1993). Moreover, there are complexities of land ownership, land use and land management which have to be considered as a whole. More than ten hectares of land owned by the Archaeology Survey Department where twenty families are residing but they are not allowed to build permanent houses. Apart from that open land is used for agricultural purposes; basically the cultivation of grain and banana but these interventions also brings its problems to the heritage site. It is clear that the archaeological presentation in a formidable form is necessary to attract the tourists. The aim of this paper is to discuss the problems of the site and to provide suggestions for promotion to tourist attraction. The creation of the project planning at Ibbankatuwa on the basis of the cultural, tourist, recreational and educational asset would minimize destructions to the site and earn a substantial annual income for the country.