Deeghavapi conservation begins

Priyanka KURUGALA

In order to gift the heritage of the ancient Deeghavapi Cetiya on future generations, the National Heritage Ministry has commenced its conservation programme under the directive of National Heritage Minister Dr Jagath Balasooriya recently, a ministry spokesman said.

This conservation programme will be launched under the guidance of the Archaeological Department. The Authority has set apart Rs 77 million for this task. The Bank of Ceylon has spent Rs 37 million on this.

The ministry has drawn up a plan to excavate all ancient rocks, monuments and archaeological sites in this area.

On the other hand the ministry is going to exhibit every piece of artifact to the people as an educative exercise.

Under the guidance of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and under the direction of Civil Security Department Director General Rear Admiral Ananda Peiris man power has been provided to the conservation project by the Civil Security Department for these excavations.

The Deeghavapi Cetiya is an ancient monastery built by King Saddhathissa. It is said that the Sacred Relics of theBuddha were placed in this site. This site covers around 600 acres. The ancient Deeghavapi Cetiya is similar to the archaeological site of Abhayagiri in Anuradhapura.