Committee proposes legal action against perpetrators

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

The interim report compiled by the committee appointed to probe over allegedly bulldozing a building with archaeological value in Kurunegala has proposed the legal action against those responsible.   

The interim report was handed over to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday by the head of the Committee, Director General of Archaeology Prof. Senarath Dissanayake. 
The following recommendations have been proposed through the interim report;   

The building should be conserved as soon as possible   
The building should be taken under the purview of the Department of Archaeology   
To propose the Road Development Authority to revise the plan for expansion of this site   
To recover funds that would cost for the repair of the building from those responsible 

A committee headed by Director General of Archaeology was appointed on Friday to investigate the incident where an archaeological building in Kurunegala was allegedly bulldozed on July 14. The Committee was appointed by the Buddhasasana, Cultural and Religious Affairs Ministry Secretary on a directive of subject Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.   

The committee comprises Director General of Archaeology, Prof. Senarath Dissanayake, Kurunegala District Secretary R.M.R. Ratnayake, Archaeologist T.G Kulatunga, Director General of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Cultural and Religious Affairs Archaeologist Prasad Ranasinghe and Central Cultural Fund Director (Development) Architect Sumedha Mathota.   

The history of the artefact goes back to the 13th century of the Kurunegala Kingdom and it was believed to be the King’s Assembly Hall at that time, and is considered an archaeological reserve under the Antiquities Ordinance No.09 of 1940.