Recently, we saw Chamuditha Samarawickrema interviewing former Director General of Archeology Dr. Senarath Dissanayake on social media.
There he revealed a number of devastating effects on archeology.He clearly states that whatever government is elected to govern this country, instead of protecting our valuable antiquities, they will destroy them and achieve their goals.
Dr. Senarath Dissanayake states that during the previous government, he had destroyed archeological sites on many occasions and had a great influence on various constructions.
In particular, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam had at one point proposed that the revenue of the Dambulla Vihara be transferred to the Central Cultural Fund and the Department of Archeology, at which point Dr. Senarath Dissanayake had pointed out that it was an illegal act.
It is said that on various occasions like this he had to experience many influences to destroy places of archaeological value during the pre-existing period of government.
Dr. Senarath Dissanayake also stated that the construction of the recently opened Sandahiru Seya was a waste of the country’s wealth and that it was unacceptable to build a dagoba to commemorate such a war victory for the first time in history.
He further stated that he was influenced in various ways even while preparing to build the Sandahiru Seya and he was also influenced in choosing a site for the construction of this dagoba.
Why should a country have a system of government that allows the destruction of such ancient treasures as a treasure trove to commemorate the history of our country as well as the great creations of that time, for future generations to see and learn about it and to educate our future generations about the past glory of our country?
If this destruction continues, the country will be left with a future generation that does not know the value of the country, has no sense of the country’s history, no society, no culture and no love for the nation.
