Historic ruins excavated

24 APRIL 2010
By Hirtan Priyankara jayasinghe (Daily Mirror)

The ruins of an ancient building were found on Thursday during the ongoing excavations in Pallama Sri Nandimitra Navavangu Rajamaha Vihara to lay the foundation for a new building. The Chief Incumbent of the temple the Ven. Pothuthukkulame Deerananada Thera believes that the row of granite steps and the moonstone discovered beneath the temple grounds belong to the Anuradhapura period.

The moonstone was about 6ft long and the row of steps was 8ft wide. A granite vessel which had probably been used to grind medicinal herbs was among the artefacts found at the site.

According to tradition, Nandimitra Rajamaha Vihara is said to have been built during the reign of King Dutugemunu (137-161BC) .The Ven. Thera said the Archaeological Department would be requested to carry out further excavations.

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Sri Lanka uses ground penetrating radar mechanism in archeology

Ibbankatuwa

(April 22, 2010) Sri Lanka Department of Archeology says it has successfully finalized a pilot project of using ground penetrating radar mechanism to explore the underground archaeological monuments.

The technology was used in Sigiriya, Ibbankatuwa and Digampathaha archaeological sites to trace the historic monuments, constructions and artifacts that are hidden in soil. Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress believed constructed in the first millennium AD. It is famous for frescoes and is also one of major tourist attractions of Sri Lanka. Ibbankatuwa and Digampathaha are believed cemeteries of pre-historic age.

The Chairman of the National Geological and Mines Bureau Dr. A. Wijayananda says that the use of ground penetrating radar mechanism will be a major breakthrough of Sri Lanka’s archaeology.

Japan has provided aids for the project to use ground penetrating radar mechanism in archaeology.

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Ancient city wall of Polonnaruwa damaged by earth removing machines

(April 20, 2010) The ancient city wall of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka has been damaged by certain elements in a development activity in the heritage city.

Reports from Polonnaruwa said that the damage to the city wall has been done by construction machinery that was deployed in laying water supply tubes.

The foundation and the brick layers of the ancient city wall have been damaged by the earth removing machines, said Dr. Senarath Disanayaka, the Director General of the Archaeological Department.

The wall which was said to have been built by King Parakramabahu the Great to protect the city was destroyed by an organized group using backhoes. More than 200 metres of the wall was destroyed during the last two days.

Due permission of the Archaeological Department has not been obtained for this construction, said the Director General adding that the Department will conduct an investigation regarding the incident.

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A programme to trace all archaeological sites of Sri Lanka

(March 09, 2010) A programme is underway in Sri Lanka to trace the archaeological sites island wide.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Wimal Rubasinghe said that 250,000 such sites have already been identified. Investigations are ongoing to identify further sites.

The identified archaeological sites have been listed officially.

Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Wimal Rubasinghe appealed the public to support the efforts to safeguard these places since the Ministry alone cannot do it.

Treasure hunters often vandalize these places in search of hidden treasure. 

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Maritime Museum of Sri Lanka opens in Galle

(February 27, 2010) Newly established one and only Marine Archaeological Museum in Galle built under a special grant of Rs. 177 million by the Netherlands Government will be opened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on March 4, 2009.

The Marine Archeological Museum previously established in Galle was completely destroyed due to Tsunami tidal waves on December 26, 2004. The present museum is being established after renovating a massive old building constructed during the Dutch era situated within the historic Rampart of Galle.

The museum is 40-000 square feet in extent would display marine artifacts discovered in explorations made in the ocean floor around Sri Lanka. Nearly 200 artifacts discovered from the remains of ship sunk in the ocean nearly 800 ago are housed in the museum.

Plans are afoot to open the museum on all seven days of the week and on some days to stay open till 9.00 p.m. to feel surrounding of the Fort.

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Lanka to recover stolen artefacts

by Don Asoka Wijewardena (The Island)

(February 22, 2009) Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that Sri Lanka would officially appeal to a number of museums in several countries as well as private collectors to return cultural and religious artefacts and statues spirited away from the country.

He said that the decision had been made after recommendations by a special Cabinet approved committee of scholars who handed over their report last week. Stocks of Lankan artifacts were seized by the Portuguese, British and Dutch during the days of colonialism.

The committee in its study has found that a number of historical and precious Sri Lankan artifacts are on display in museums in some countries and Sri Lankans who are interested in research, studies and viewing them are unable to do so as they belong to those countries legally, he said.

The committee comprised scholars Dr. Nanda Wickremasinghe, Prof. P. L. Premathilaka, Prof. Anura Manatunge, Dr. Roland Silva, Dr. Senerath Dissanayaka, Dr. Saroja Wethasinghe and Prof Sarath Amunugama and the Secretaries of the Ministries of Cultural Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Urban Development.

Minister Gunawardena said that even the Asgiriya and Malwatta Mahanayakas had asked him whether the government would be able to bring back the artifacts kept in foreign museums.

Minister Gunawardena said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had expressed his desire to recover the archeological treasures that belonged to Sri Lanka and diplomatic ties would be used to recover the country’s archaeological wealth.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) would help Sri Lanka bring back the artifacts, the Minister said.

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Sri Lanka to look into ways to get back the historical monuments taken away from the country

(February 20, 2009) Archaeology professor Roland Silva, the chairman of a committee appointed to propose ways to get back the archaeological monuments that have been taken away from Sri Lanka, handed over the report of the committee to the Minister of Urban Development and Sacred Land Development Dinesh Gunawardhana on February 19.

The Minister said that the report would be submitted to the cabinet and the President would be consulted for further proceedings.

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