Are ox cart rides in Sigiriya ethical for the animals.

The ethics of the ox cart rides on the village tours are heavily debated. Generally, the oxen are well fed and treated respectfully by their local owners, as these animals are highly valuable to their agricultural livelihood. The carts move at a very slow, relaxed pace over flat dirt roads. However, if you are strictly opposed to working animals in tourism, you can simply politely decline the cart ride and opt to walk the short, scenic distance to the lake instead.