Restoration work on Galle fortress

Southern Province Roving corr.

GALLE: The Central Cultural Fund is engaged in excavating the buried remnants of the Dutch Fortress in Galle. The Fund is also planning to remove trees growing on walls of the fortress. They plan to uproot the trees without causing harm to the walls. This will be done by killing the trees with an injection. Galle Dutch Fort is named the 38th World Heritage.

After completing the initial stage, restoration work on the fort will begin. The Netherlands Government has donated Rs. 380,000,000 for the restoration project. Out of this sum Rs. 130,000,000 will be for restoration of walls of the fortress, Rs. 145,000,000 will be spent on the Marine Museum and an Information Centre.

For the restoration of the ancient sewage system Rs. 15,000,000 will be spent and Rs. 50,000,000 will go for the restoration of the old houses inside the fortress.

The restoration project is scheduled to be completed in year 2009.