The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has raised serious concerns over gaps in the management of Sri Lanka’s archaeological heritage, stressing the urgent need for a centralized data system and timely updates to the Department of Archaeology’s official website.  

The COPA Committee emphasized the necessity of maintaining a centralized data system containing comprehensive information on antiquities and archaeological excavations.

This matter was discussed when COPA met in Parliament this week (06 Jan), under the chairmanship of MP Kabir Hashim, to examine the Auditor General’s Reports for the years 2021, 2022, and 2023 relating to the Department of Archaeology, as well as the department’s current performance.

The Committee recalled that at its meeting held in October 2023, it had recommended the establishment and maintenance of a data system incorporating information on all archaeological excavation sites in the country, discoveries made through such excavations, the success or failure of those excavations, whether further excavations should be continued, and details of other locations requiring excavation.

When the Chair inquired into the current progress, the officials present stated that a comprehensive database containing all such information has not yet been established, and that a data system is currently maintained only in relation to excavation permits.

Accordingly, the Committee stressed that it is critically important to establish and continuously update such a data system, and informed officials that COPA is prepared to provide assistance if required. The COPA Chair further emphasized the importance of assigning a sufficient number of IT officers to the Department of Archaeology.

Officials informed the Committee that although approval had been granted by the Department of Management Services to recruit 12 IT officers, currently only one officer is in service, and that officer is not attached to the head office. The Committee therefore instructed that urgent action be taken to fill the existing vacancies.

The COPA Chair also recommended that a formal proposal with regard to the centralized, up-to-date database on archaeological excavations be submitted to the Committee within three months.

The Committee further drew attention to the failure to update the official website of the Department of Archaeology. 

Members pointed out that maintaining an updated official website is vital for tourist attraction. Accordingly, the Committee instructed the Department to prepare a mechanism and take prompt action to update the website.

Additionally, the Committee took note that 48% of the total archaeological sites identified as at 31 December 2023 have not yet been gazetted. The Committee recommended that a report containing full details of gazetted and non-gazetted sites be submitted within one month.

Furthermore, the Committee recommended the submission of a report on sites identified for nomination to UNESCO as World Heritage Sites, along with the relevant draft proposals. (Newswire)

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All four suspects in the case concerning the removal of the Archaeological Department signboards in Valachchenai have been granted bail by the Valachchenai Magistrate’s Court today. 

Three suspects, including the Chairman of the Valchchenai Pradeshiya Sabha, surrendered to the court today over the incident.

The court ordered the suspects to reinstall the signboards with the approval of the Valachchenai Pradeshiya Sabha.

The Valachchenai Pradeshiya Sabha had removed the boards, claiming that they had been installed without the council’s approval. (Newswire)

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Police have launched an intensified search for the Chairman of the Valachchenai Pradeshiya Sabha, who is reported to have fled the area following the removal of archaeological signboards in the Batticaloa District, an incident that sparked widespread public controversy after a video went viral on social media.

The Police Media Spokesperson’s Office confirmed that one suspect connected to the incident was arrested in the Kiran area, while the Valachchenai Police have also recovered several signboards that had been forcibly removed by the suspects.

It was further revealed that the Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman is believed to be directly linked to the incident, and four separate police teams have been deployed to trace and arrest him.

According to the Archaeology Department, the installation of directional and information signboards at sites of archaeological importance in the Batticaloa District commenced on November 3. However, the boards were reportedly removed on November 22 by individuals linked to the local authority.

Footage showing the boards being dismantled and taken down circulated widely on social media, triggering public outrage and prompting authorities to initiate formal investigations.

Speaking in Parliament, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said investigations have commenced to arrest all those responsible and confirmed that the matter has already been reported to court.

He stressed that legal action will be taken against anyone found to have interfered with state property and archaeological heritage. (Newswire)

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The Director General of the Department of Archaeology, Professor Anura Manatunga has stepped down from his position, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Vidura Wickramanayaka said today.

Minister Vidura Wickramanayaka stated that Prof. Manatunga has submitted a letter to the Secretary of the Ministry, informing his decision to resign.

However, the reason for Prof. Manatunga’s resignation is unclear.

Prof. Manatunga’s resignation comes days after a meeting between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and officials from the Department of Archaeology. 

The matter of the acquisition of excess land by the Department of Archaeology in the North and East was raised during the meeting convened last week (08).

President Ranil Wickremesinghe called out officials of the Department of Archaeology over the acquisition of excess land under the pretext of heritage properties. 

At the discussion, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MPs pointed out the acquisition of lands belonging to the public in the Northern and Eastern Province by the Department, including in the Thannimurippu and Thiriyaya areas.

Upon being inquired on the matter, the President informed officials from the Archaeology Department to follow Cabinet policy and to refrain from seizing lands belonging to the public. 

In an exchange of words with the Department officials, the President also inquired whether he was to provide history lessons to educate them, while he then proceeded to explain the placing of border marker stones in ancient times.

While emphasizing the need to protect ancient temples in Sri Lanka, the President issued directives to the officials of the Archaeology Department to remove border marker stones which are being used as a reason to acquire public-owned land. (NewsWire)

"Are you trying to teach me history? Or do you want me to educate you?" History lesson from President to Archaeology Dept pic.twitter.com/lqWaIeSZgX

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) June 12, 2023

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