Government resumes stalled archaeological restoration work: Minister

By Sisira Wijesinghe from Washington DC

May 5 (Daily Mirror) - The current government has resumed restoration work on several archaeological sites that had been previously stalled, Buddhist Studies, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senavi said.

The Minister, who is currently on an official visit to the United States, made the remarks during a meeting with the Chief Judicial Sangha Nayaka of North America, Most Venerable Katugastota Uparathana Nayaka Thera, held at the Maryland International Buddhist Temple, where he also received blessings.

Responding to concerns raised by Katugastota Uparathana Thera regarding the protection of archaeological heritage, the Minister said safeguarding such sites is a national responsibility of any government in power.

The Thera said that archaeological sites in Sri Lanka are facing serious threats due to various human activities, stressing the need for stronger protection and conservation measures.

Minister Senavi said that restoration work on several key sites that had been halted has now been reinitiated. He said the Department of Archaeology and the Cultural Triangle Fund have jointly restarted conservation efforts at important sites including Ritigala, Deegawapi, and Nelugala.

He also said that several archaeological locations islandwide have been damaged due to Cyclone Ditva, and that urgent restoration priorities have already been identified.

The Minister added that the government has allocated sufficient financial resources to restore identified archaeological sites where work has not yet commenced.

Chief Judicial Sangha Nayaka of the United States, Venerable Katugastota Uparathana Thera, meanwhile expressed gratitude to the President and the government for their support toward the upcoming World Buddhist Conference to be held in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States Mahinda Samarasinghe and a group of monks from the Maryland International Buddhist Temple were also present at the event.