News
Renovation activities ‘archived’
View(s):Despite the best efforts of the staff at the Department of National Archives to improve standards (efforts which were commended by internationally renowned archivists who were here for a recent conference), sections of the National Archives building have been cordoned off for months.
Story and Pix by M.A.Pushpakumara
This is because sections of the building is crumbling. Though Cabinet approved a proposal to renovate of the main building of the Department of National Archives, thus far, no headway has been made.
The seven-storied building was constructed in a unique architectural design, is around 40 years old.
The proposal to renovate the building was originally forwarded to the Cabinet for approval by the Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariawasam.
Unfortunately the Department was subsequently re-assigned to the Ministry of Higher Education and Cultural Affairs.
Since then renovation work on the national archives building seems to have been put on hold.
The uniquely designed National Archives building is in a badly dilapidated state
Sections of the building have long been cordoned off due to the danger that sections of it could collapse
Section of the structure of the building is cracked and could collapse
This once beautiful edifice is now a shadow of its former self
The concrete grill which beautifies the structure is broken and poses a danger to passersby and those using the building