Colombo, Jan 27 (NIA) – The Sri Lankan government has instructed its Archaeology Department, to take immediate measures to conserve its Archaeological sites, including those destroyed in the 30 year war between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels.
Senior officials from the Archaeology Department have informed the government that archaeological conservation activities in several parts of the country including the former war torn north and east have already begun. These include Buddhist shrines, Hindu religious centers and mosques with archaeological value.
The government information department said that Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam had discussed the matter in detail and instructed officers to expedite the conservation activities at the archaeological places destroyed in the war in the recent past and to take action to conserve these places irrespective of racial and religious differences.
The Minister also instructed officials to take immediate measures to provide residential facilities to the members of Civil Defense Force who were appointed to protect the Archaeological sites under the instructions of the President Maithripala Sirisena.
He further instructed the Director General of Archaeology to inform the government of any practical problems which may arise in the work of conserving these sites.
Kariyawasam said that conserving these sites would also attract a higher number of tourists to the island country.
