By: Staff Writer
November 16, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s ability to protect its rich archaeological heritage has come under sharp scrutiny following revelations of major gaps in site documentation, law enforcement and financial management within the Department of Archaeology purview.
Despite having a dedicated state institution and a vast catalogue of ancient sites, nearly half of the country’s known archaeological locations remain without official protection, exposing them to theft, encroachment and destruction.
According to the latest National Audit Office report, the Department of Archaeology had identified 5,664 archaeological sites by the end of 2023. Yet 2,706 of these a staggering 48 percent had not been declared and published in the National Archaeological Sites Gazette. Without formal gazetting, these sites lack legal safeguards, leaving them vulnerable to illicit digging, treasure hunting and unauthorised development.
The department’s digital documentation efforts are equally concerning. Of the 1,758 sites uploaded into its geospatial database, more than 69 percent of geographic data for registered locations had not been fully recorded. This means that a majority of ancient sites do not appear in the official digital mapping system, undermining monitoring, research and enforcement.
The audit also points to troubling failings in the enforcement of the Antiquities Ordinance. In 2023 alone, 179 incidents related to the theft, destruction or illegal excavation of antiquities were reported. In 12 cases, suspects were never identified, and in 64 others, although suspects were known, legal action was never initiated. These lapses have allowed offenders to evade prosecution, sending a damaging signal that illegal antiquities trade can continue with minimal consequences.
Further, the department has failed to execute key legal responsibilities under the Antiquities (Amendment) Act of 1998. The law requires authorities to recover illegally used antiquities, secure endangered sites and reward informants by allocating half of the court-imposed penalties to an antiquities reward fund.
However, due to delays in drafting and implementing necessary regulations, Rs. 130.5 million in court fines collected in 2023 were never transferred to the fund. As a result, informants, law enforcement partners and field officers received no incentives to assist in heritage protection.
Financial inefficiencies extend beyond legal penalties. The Department of Archaeology also neglected to revise fees for providing archaeological recommendations for mineral and stone extraction despite clear instructions to review charges every three years, with increases capped at 15 percent.
The failure to update these fees since 2019 has cost the government significant revenue. Similar lapses were noted in the temporary leasing of the historic Nupe Old Holland Market Building in Matara, where fees remained unchanged at just Rs. 5,000.
These shortcomings collectively highlight a systemic failure in safeguarding the nation’s historical legacy. With nearly half of archaeological sites lacking legal protection and enforcement mechanisms weakened by poor administration, Sri Lanka’s ancient heritage faces mounting risks. As calls grow for stronger protection frameworks, the Audit Office’s findings underscore an urgent need for reform, accountability and modernised practices to prevent the irreversible loss of history.
