Archaeological authorities have decided to take legal actions against unauthorised establishments around Galle Fort, a world heritage declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
These establishments were built near the Galle Stadium and were not authorised by the Department of Archaeology. Authorisation should be obtained for any establishment, including those of a private land, at a location designated as an ‘archaeological reserve,’ and those who had built these constructions at the Stadium not consulting the Dept officials prior to any action would be a serious problem, the Department emphasised.
It would be extremely serious to have a problem of this nature in the backdrop where probes are underway regarding the non-implementation of the instructions given by UNESCO regarding the Galle Stadium, said Prof. Anura Manatunga, Director General of Archaeology.
Despite receiving instructions by Wasanthi Alahakoon, the Galle District Assistant Director of Archaeology, to cease the operations immediately after learning about these unauthorised constructions, the parties responsible for these establishments continued with their operations, and the authorities, therefore, have acted with the Police to suspend the activities.
The Director General of Archaeology has given instructions to take legal actions against these establishments and legal advice, accordingly, is currently being obtained, Mrs. Alahakoon noted.
MIAP
