Prior to the ascent of Sigiriya we were warned by local guides of a grave personal danger that awaited us at the top. We were told of a massive swarm of killer hornets which only the previous week had killed some Chinese tourists. We were then advised that the only sure way to protect ourselves was to hire the protective services of these guides! Wicky our guide soon ascertained the truth -yes some tourists had been stung a few weeks before and one needed hospitalised for an allergic reaction ....but no one died. When we eventually got up to the top we passed a couple of swarms -not of hornets but of bees!