Former Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has accused the Director General of Archeology, Prof. Senarath Dissanayake of being fully responsible for the damage caused by the Kurunegala Municipal Council to the building containing the ancient royal pavilion of the Kingdom of Kurunegala.
The former minister made the allegation when he visited the site today (18) to inquire into the damage caused to the site.
Mr. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam stated that it is the responsibility of the Department of Archeology to look into such archeological sites and that such historically significant sites are being destroyed in vain due to the departure of the Department of Archeology from its responsibility.
The former Minster said during his tenure as the Minister of Culture Senarath Dissanayake was removed from the post of Director General of Archeology following investigations carried out.
Pointing out that re-appointing a person who had been removed from the post by this government was a mistake, Kariyawasam said the official’s inefficiency was evident from such archaeological damage.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has appointed an expert committee to investigate the bulldozing of the historic building in Kurunegala. The Prime Minister has instructed the Secretary to the Ministry of Culture to immediately investigate and report on the damage to the building.
Accordingly, Bandula Harischandra, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Cultural Affairs has appointed an expert committee to look into the damage caused to the archeological site. However, the committee is chaired by the Director General of Archeology Prof. Senarath Dissanayake.
Courtesy: Colombo Page
