The incumbent Chief Priest of the Pahiyangala temple, Venerable Ananda Sagara Thera said the National Building Research Organisation had notified the temple occupants to vacate the area immediately due to the prevailing threat.

The Thera said this is the largest cave in Sri Lanka with historical significance and boasts of a history of over 58,000 years.

The ground surrounding this cave have shown signs of cracks signifying the impending danger of giving way at any moment.

Pahiyangala caves

Addressing a media briefing yesterday (June 2) Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said the relevant authorities had been notified of the impending threat of landslides affecting the Pahiyangala caves and instructed them to take necessary action to avert a disaster.

Heavy damage to Pahiyangala:
Ven. Ananda Sagara Thera said around 426 houses in the Pahiyangala area were affected by the recent floods and landslides while 26 houses of them were completely destroyed and 21 persons lost their lives.

He said the affected people have been receiving ample supplies of food and water but the current requirement was to provide them alternative housing and furniture in order to assist them rebuild their lives.