Feb 17, Colombo: The Sri Lanka government has requested the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), based in Paris, to declare four more important places in Sri Lanka as World Heritage Sites.

The four sites are the ancient Seruvila Buddhist temple in the Eastern Province, Adam’s Peak in the Ratnapura District, which is worshipped by all faiths, and Horton Plains and the Knuckles Range, two unique environmental sites in the Central Hills.

The Secretary General of the Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO, Prithiviraj Perera, said an independent evaluation by the World Heritage Committee will be conducted and experts will be sent to evaluate the sites before UNESCO takes a decision.

"Declaring these places World Heritage Sites will contribute towards the development of ecotourism in the country. It is also another way of preserving our heritage," Perera said.