Archaeological sites to be renovated

Priyanka KURUGALA

Cultural and Arts Affairs Minister T B Ekanayake told the Daily News that around 100 archaeological sites will be renovated under the Wayamba Square project.

Nillangala Bodhigaraya, Reswehera, Kudakadugannawa Asanagaraya, Kondadeniya Galsohonkanathta archaeological reserve at Polpithigama, Nagolla, Kingdom at Wariyapola Nathagane, palace and sports stadium at Panduwasnuwara, Dambadeni ancient temple and Temple of the Tooth Relic are some of the sites under the Wayamba Square project, the Cultural Minister said.

Funds for the project will be allocated by the Central Cultural Fund, UNESCO and the Treasury. Excavations of the project have commenced, the minister said. There are four ancient kingdoms situated in the Kurunegala district which are Kurunegala, Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa and Panduwasnuwara. Under the project, the ministry expects to find many other archaeological sites.

The Cultural Affairs and Arts Ministry has also drawn up a plan to evaluate areas in the North and East for ancient archaeological sites. The Central Cultural Fund has begun identifying a number of archaeological sites in Mullaithivu, Kilinochchi, Mannar and Jaffna, the minister added.