New archaeological training centre to be set up

Priyanka KURUGALA

The Archaeological Department will develop the Ampara Rajagala Archaeological site as a new archaeological training centre. The Archaeological Department with the participation of India's Deccan University has drawn up a plan to exchange the knowledge of archaeology between the two countries through this centre, Arachaeological Director General Senerath Disanayake said.

He was addressing a press conference at the Archaeological Department Monday.

The Archaeological Department has found out around 600 archaeological monuments at the Ampara Rajagala site. One hundred monuments are ancient Stupas. This site has spread around 1,600 acres, he said.

The Rajagala site is only second to the Mihintale monastery in Anuradhapura. Due to lack of attention of the authorities, this site was not subject to any archaeological research. Nevertheless Prof Senerath Paranavithana had read all epigraphs in the site, he said. The Archaeological Department has been excavating the site for four years.