Archaeology Dept. Chief has failed in his duty: Akila

The Archaeology Department Director General has failed to safeguard the ancient assembly hall of King Buwanekabahu in Kurunegala, UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said today.

Mr Kariyawasam said the current Director General has failed in his duty to protect archaeological sites even in the past.

“There were allegations against this person and we interdicted him after an inquiry during our regime. The present government reappointed him," Mr. Kariyawasam who was in charge of the Archaeological Department during the previous regime said.

"I have heard that other archaeological sites in the area are also facing the danger of being destroyed," he added.

On a different note, Mr. Kariyawasam said the vehicle assembly plant funded by German investor Western Automobile is nearing completion.

"We were laughed at and criticised saying the project in Kuliyapitiya was a non event. However, I would like to say that 90 per cent of the construction work of the plant has been completed by today" he said.

He said the plant will generate around 2,000 employment opportunities. " It will assemble four brands of vehicles," he said.

Asked whether it was not obvious that the plant was going to be opened by a leader in the SLPP government, Mr. Kariyawasam said it did not matter as it was the usual happening.

“It is I who constructed a seven-storey building at Ananda College, Colombo but it was opened by someone else who had claimed credit for it. This kind of happening is common and not a major issue," he said. (Yohan Perera)

(Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi)