brand logo

Antiquities excavation in North, East: Work commences on 10 sites    

24 Jan 2021

A total of 10 archaeologically significant sites have been selected by the Department of Archaeology for excavations, as an initial attempt to study and restore archaeological sites in the North and East, The Sunday Morning learnt.  Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Department of Archaeology Director General Prof. Anura Manatunga said that excavations had begun at the Kurundi Viharaya in Mullaitivu as of 18 January, and that the excavation of the other sites would soon follow. He explained that these sites were selected for their archaeological value, based on research and visual evidence.  "After we investigate these sites, we need to see how we can preserve these places and present them to the public. However, we will only have a proper plan once the sites are studied. At first glance, we can see that these places used to be monasteries, but it is only after digging at these locations that we will have a proper understanding of these places."  However, the recent construction of a Buddhist statue in Mullaitivu received heavy criticism on social media, for allegedly being built over a recently demolished Hindu Shiva shrine. Both Prof. Manatunga and State Minister for National Heritage, Performing Artists, and Rural Artists Promotion Vidura Wickramanayaka denied this allegation and claimed that there was no Hindu monument at the spot.  Prof. Manatunga further noted that these sites include those that are culturally significant to both the Tamil and Sinhala ethnic groups.  In June 2020, Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thera, who is a member of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) for Archaeological Heritage Management in the Eastern Province, earmarked 2,000 sites in the Eastern Province for archaeological inspection.   He explained that preparations had begun to examine the 2,000 archaeological sites including within forests across the Ampara, Batticaloa, and Trincomalee Districts.     Following this, attempts to restore several archaeological sites had been initiated, which includes the restoration of the “Deegawapiya Stupa” in the Ampara District. The restoration process of the Stupa began last year and is being done under the guidance of Deegawapiya Temple Chief Prelate Ven. Mahaoya Sobitha Thera.   During the inauguration ceremony of the restoration, Chairperson of the said PTF and Defence Secretary Gen. (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne stated that a trust fund would be established to expedite the renovation, which will require 23 million standard bricks, 3,977 cubes of river sand, 30,167 bags of cement, and other raw material.   


More News..