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World Heritage List :
N-East religious sites to be nominated
Suraj A. Bandara
Steps will be taken to nominate certain historical multi religious
sites in the North and East regions into the world Heritage List,
National Heritage Minister Dr Jagath Balasuriya said.
He expressed this view after considering the report submitted by the
Expert Committee of Archaeologists appointed to evaluate the
archaeological sites in the country.
He further said all archaeological sites in the country will be
preserved particularly in the North and East where archaeological sites
were neglected due to the prolonged war. "Excavations are in progress to
unearth sites buried centuries ago," he said.
The Committee pointed out to the Minister that world attention would
be focused on these sites if we could nominate them to the world
heritage list.
The historical, religious and cultural significances of these sites
will acquire the prominent attention among the world community.
According to the Committee, efforts will be made to renovate all the
sites on a large-scale and excavations will be started soon to unearth
the historical sites in the North and East.
The Minister instructed the committee to prepare the report with
comprehensive details on the importance of these ancient multi religious
centres that enhanced the ethnic harmony in the past. If the report is
prepared well it can be forwarded to the Cabinet for approval, he said.
The Minister was optimistic that the Srilankan tourist map also will
change if these endevours would succeed.
National Heritage Ministry secretary Kanthi Wijethunga,
Archaeological Department Director General Dr Senarath Dissanayake,
former Archaeological Department Director Generals Dr. Roland Silva and
Dr Shiran Deraniyagala, Central Cultural Fund Director General Prof.
Nimal de Silva and Jaffna University Archeology and History Department
Head Prof. Pushparathnam attended the discussion.
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