News
Restoring the past glory of Kotte
View(s):What started off with just six people getting together to discuss how best they could protect the last of the precious monuments ‘facing extinction’ around them, has gathered momentum encompassing nearly 100, with more expected to join up soon.
Kotte Heritage Foundation President Prasad Fonseka addressing the AGM after his election on July 25.
It was once again on an overcast afternoon, with a slight drizzle on and off like showers of blessings, that about 60 people including the initiators, met for the first annual general meeting (AGM) of the ‘Kotte Heritage Foundation’ (KHF) on July 25.A few members of the clergy including Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera and eminent personalities including historian Dr. K.D. Paranavitana; Haris de Silva, a former Director of the National Archives of Sri Lanka, Dr. Hema Goonatilake, President of the Royal Asiatic Society and its Immediate Past President Dr. Susantha Goonatilake, were among those present.
Researcher Prasad Fonseka who was the catalyst for the formation of the ‘Pressure group to preserve and promote Kotte’s heritage’ at the initial meeting on May 9, was elected President of the KHF.While three of the other initiators, Terrence Rodrigo, Dr. R.G. Bulathsinhala and Lakshman Perera, whose home has been the venue for the meetings, are Patrons, another member, Ishan Wiratunga, who is fielding all the phone calls and e-mails is Secretary. The final member of the initial group, W.D.L. Mahilal, is a committee member of the KHF.
The gathering whose keen interest is safeguarding Kotte’s heritage. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
Much water has flowed along the Diyawanna Oya since that meeting in May, which was highlighted by the Sunday Times of June 14 headlined, ‘Kotte’s new warriors in defence of the lost kingdom’.
Numerous discussions and lobbying have been underway to get attention focused on this longest-serving ancient capital of Sri Lanka, to restore the past glory of Kotte. While walkabouts through Kotte to see first-hand the destruction taking place here have also been carried out, this heritage issue has gone on Facebook with hundreds of likes.
After the Sunday Times reported the issue, politician Dr. Harsha de Silva who lives in this area had convened a meeting on June 22 between the Pressure Group and Dr. Senarath Dissanayake, Director-General of the Archaeology Department, with the matter going up to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who had instructed that urgent action be taken in this regard.
On July 1, the Pressure Group had been able to hold the first public gathering where a brainstorming session led to the appointment of a Steering Committee to take the matter forward. Thereafter, the Steering Committee had met for extensive discussions on July 8 and 20, to draft the Constitution of the Kotte Heritage Foundation, culminating in the election of office bearers on July 25.
Kotte, the one-before-the-last kingdom, which thrived from around 1370 to 1565, was destroyed and abandoned by the Portuguese, its last inhabitants. Much earlier, Nissanka Alakesvara, a powerful minister of Vikramabahu III — who was ruling the Gampola Kingdom – had fortified this marshy area and set up Kotte, after which around 1415, Parakramabahu VI strengthened the inner city, followed by several kings, the last one being Buvaneka Bahu VII, holding court here. It was during the latter’s time that the Portuguese occupied Kotte.
Now, not only Mr. Fonseka who has done extensive research on Kotte but also families which have had roots in Kotte since the times of yore are wracked by worry as its archaeological monuments and sites including the ramparts are being destroyed systematically by ‘new settlers’ to make way for urbanisation.
Time frame for protection
The urgent need for a time-frame to protect the monuments of Kotte was discussed at the AGM of the Kotte Heritage Foundation.
While 18 historically-important sites have been gazetted to be protected, another 20 sites have also been identified, it was disclosed at the AGM. The Archaeology Department has promised to gazette these too shortly.
Of the 18 already gazetted, boards earmarking them as monuments have been put up at 10 sites, with the Archaeology DG Dr. Dissanayake assuring that the others would be erected soon at a meeting the KHF had with him on July 30, it is learnt.