JO to submit report on archaeological site to President today

A comprehensive report compiled on alleged destruction of archaeological sites in the North and East Provinces would be handed over to President Maithripala Sirisena today (11) urging action, the Joint Opposition (JO) said yesterday.

Moneragala District MP Padma Udhayashantha Gunasekera said there was a systematic destruction of archaeological sites in the region but the Government remained unresponsive.

“The historical remains of the Yan Oya civilization in Trincomalee, as well as many other sites including the Waddamana Raja Maha Vihara site at Wedikkinnamale, are being annihilated by extremists,” he said.

“When we visited the Wedikkinnamale site, a group of people led by TNA Provincial Councillor Raviharan asked us whether we had permission to enter the site. Is this reconciliation? Had the new Constitution passed, we will not be able to visit the area at all,” he told a news briefing.

He said he continually questioned Cultural Affairs Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe about the issue and the Minister had asked him to give a report on the destruction.

Meanwhile, he criticized the decision taken by Director General of Archaeology Professor P.B. Mandawala in February this year to suspend the permit for excavation given to Professor Raj Somadeva.

The MP said there could be a hidden agenda behind the move as Professor Somadeva was leading the excavation at the Mannar Mass Grave site. “It was reported that the Department would bring in professionals from India to continue excavation at the site while suspending Prof. Somadeva’s permit. This, we believe, is an attempt to alter the truth about the mass grave site,” he said.