Four senior members of Buddhist clergy named to Task Force on EP archaeological sites

• President increases membership of TF from 11 to 15 with new appointments
• Gazette says many archaeological sites in EP based on Buddhist religious background and hence guidance of clergy needed
• TF appointed in June is chaired by Defence Sec.
• Lack of representation for members of Tamil and Muslim community in TF has raised concerns

By Chandani Kirinde

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has named four senior members of the Buddhist clergy to the Presidential Task Force appointed to conduct a comprehensive survey of archaeological sites in the Eastern Province and recommend measures to preserve them.

The membership of the Task Force chaired by Defence Ministry Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retired) Kamal Gunaratne will increase to 15 with the new appointments.

The new appointees are the Asgiriya Chapter Abhidhana Anunayaka Most Ven. Vendaruwe Dharmakeerthi Sri Rathanapala Upali Thero, Malwathu Chapter General Secretary Ven. Dr. Pahamune Sumangala Nayaka Thero, Asgiri Chapter General Secretary Dr. Ven. Medagama Dhammananda Nayaka Thero and Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Malwathu Chapter Member Shasthravedi Ven. Ambanwalle Sri Sumangala Thero.

“Since many of the archaeological heritages in the Eastern Province are based on the Buddhist religious background and associated with those places of worship, it has been recognised that the guidance and patronage of the Venerable Maha Sangha is still needed in the identification and management of those heritages,” the Gazette notification issued with the names of the new appointees said.

The Task Force, appointed in June, initially comprised two members of the Buddhists clergy, namely Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thera and the Chief Prelate for the Northern and Eastern two Provinces, Chief Senanayake of Thamankaduwa Direction, and Chief Incumbent of Arisimalai Aranya Ven. Panamure Thilakawansha Thera.

Its other members are Archaeology Director-General Dr. Senarath Bandara Dissanayake, Land Commissioner General Chandra Herath, Surveyor General A.L.S.C. Perera, University of Kelaniya Senior Lecturer Prof. Raj Kumar Somadeva, University of Peradeniya Medical Faculty Lecturer Prof. Kapila Gunawardena, Western Province Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon, Eastern Province Provincial Land Commissioner H.E.M.W.G. Dissanayake and Derana Media Network Chairman Dilith Jayaweera.

The lack of representation for members of the Tamil and Muslim communities in the TF has raised concerns with the leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) R. Sampanthan writing to the President to correct this anomaly.

The members of the Task Force have to identify sites of archaeological importance in the Eastern Province and implement an appropriate program for the management of archaeological heritage by conserving and restoring such identified sites and antiquities.

It will also identify the extent of land that should be allocated for such archaeological sites and take necessary measures to allocate them properly and legally and preserve the cultural value of sites of archaeological importance and promote the uniqueness of Sri Lanka, both locally and internationally and make recommendations for the promotion of such heritages.

Senior Assistant Secretary to the President Jeevanthie Senanayake has been named the Secretary of the Task Force.