Reimagining Sigiriya Frescoes: Legal Implications of Interpreting the Figures as Performers in Tangible Cultural Heritage Management

Existing legal frameworks in Sri Lanka and UNESCO guidelines for World Heritage Sites provide sufficient flexibility to reinterpret the Sigiriya frescoes as representations of performers without requiring statutory amendments. This reinterpretation could enhance the site's cultural value recognition by connecting tangible and intangible heritage elements, provided careful documentation ensures compliance with authenticity standards. The study demonstrates that while legal frameworks support interpretive evolution, successful reinterpretation must balance scholarly innovation with preservation integrity to maintain fundamental protection objectives for sites of Outstanding Universal Value.

de Alwis, M. (2026). Reimagining Sigiriya Frescoes: Legal Implications of Interpreting the Figures as Performers in Tangible Cultural Heritage Management. Journal of Research in Music, 4(2), 59–71. https://doi.org/10.4038/jrm.v4i2.85