The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs denied reports that no one has expressed interest in taking over the post of the Director General (DG) of the Department of Archaeology and stated that its current Acting DG Dr. Pradeepa Serasinghe would be confirmed in the position soon.

During a discussion held recently, President Ranil Wickremesinghe asked then-DG of the Archaeology Department Prof. Anura Manatunga about the land that has been taken over for the Kurundi Raja Maha Viharaya in the Mullaitivu District. During the discussion, he was criticised by the President, and Prof. Manatunga later resigned from the post that same evening.

Following his resignation, it was reported that many public officials who were offered the said position had refused to take it over.

When contacted by The Daily Morning, Secretary to the Ministry Somaratne Vidanapathirana claimed those reports were false. “There has been no such denial of acceptance. We have appointed Dr. Serasinghe as the Acting DG. She assumed duties on 16 June. The Government will take steps to confirm her in that position in the coming days,” he said.

The department has come under fire in recent times, particularly due to matters pertaining to the acquisition of lands in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Politicians representing the Tamil community living in the areas have been claiming that the department has acquired lands that were previously owned by the Tamil people, and therefore have been insisting that such lands be released to the original owners as soon as possible.