<Tr> <Th> Reference no . </Th> <Td> 202 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> UNESCO Region </Th> <Td> Asia - Pacific </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Location of Sigiriya in Sri Lanka </Td> </Tr> <P> Sigiriya or Sinhagiri (Lion Rock Sinhalese: සීගිරිය, Tamil: சிகிரியா, pronounced see - gi - ri - yə) is an ancient rock fortress located in the northern Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka . The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 metres (660 ft) high . According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle the Culavamsa, this site was selected by King Kasyapa (477--495 CE) for his new capital . He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes . On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion . The name of this place is derived from this structure--Sīhāgiri, the Lion Rock . The capital and the royal palace was abandoned after the king's death . It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century . </P>

The ponds in sigiriya and their water technology