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Stage II of Galle Fort development project under way
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Work on Stage II of the proposed ‘Galle Fort Development Project’, has commenced. The project funded by the World Bank is estimated to cost rupees 217 million. The project will be jointly handled by the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development, the Department of Archaeology, the Galle Heritage Foundation and the Sea Conservation Department.
Stage I of the project which commenced in January this year is nearing completion.
Around ten-years-ago some of the famous artifacts similar to the frescoes at Sigiriya and the Star Bastian were on the point of collapse. However using supports the artifacts were saved as was the stonewall of the Fort.
A feature of the renovation work is the use of ancient recipes for the preparation of motar used for plastering the walls, using a mixture of sulfur, gravel and sand instead of cement to ensure the structure retained its original appearance.
The project will also look at the renovation of the ancient bunkers and providing visitors with information on weaponry used and its manufacture.
At night the Fort will be lit by new cascading lights. The old sewerage systems installed by the colonial governments of old are also due to be repaired.
UNESCO lists the Galle Fort 38th in the World Heritage rankings.
The Fort itself was originally constructed by the Portugese. During the Dutch period the Fort was enlarged.
The Fort covers an extent of around 48 hectares of land and is criss-crossed by 19 avenues or promenades.