NEED TO CONSERVE HISTORIC TEMPLES, BUILDINGS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE MAHANAYAKE THERA

Mahanayake of the Malwatta Chapter Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera said the historic temples and buildings of archaeological importance would be in ruins before the plans to conserve them were implemented by officials in Colombo.

During a meeting with Minister of Housing, Constructions and Cultural Affairs Sajith Premadasa who visited the Malwatta Temple, the Ven. Thera pointed out that the historic temples and ancient buildings should be conserved and protected from vandals causing damage to them. He expressed concern about taking action against the individuals including Buddhist monks who attend to the repairs of temples and conserved archaeological sites.

“My request is to grant permission to the Buddhist monks who are prepared to undertake development activities in ancient temples

Minister Sajith Premadasa pointed out that two very important projects based on the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters were already underway

My request is to grant permission to the Buddhist monks who are prepared to undertake development activities in ancient temples under the supervision of archaeological officers

under the supervision of archaeological officers. A Buddhist monk of a temple in Hanguranketha area had been produced in court and fined Rs.50,000 under the Archeological Ordinance for digging up a well in the temple ground. Another Buddhist monk of the Gadaladeniya historic temple was fined for laying floor tiles in a building. About a century old laws passed by the British are still in force. Cultural Triangle and the Department of Archaeology should be amalgamated. Cultural Triangle has funds but the Department of Archeology does not”, Ven Thera said.

Minister Sajith Premadasa pointed out that two very important projects based on the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters were already underway and that the Central Cultural Fund and the Department of Archaeology would be brought under the Minister of Cultural Affairs. He said the Archaeological Ordinance would be amended soon to provide adequate protection to the ancient temples and archaeological sites under a DIG.