Director General of Archeology Department steps down

The Director General of the Department of Archeology Prof. Anura Manatunga has sent in his resignation to the Ministry Secretary, according to  Minister for Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Vidura Wickramanayaka.

The reason for his resignation was not known immediately, but the move comes after reports that a controversy has risen over a decision of acquisition of lands in the Trincomalee district by the department. 

The issue came up at  meeting between President Ranil Wickremesinghe, officials from the Department of Archaeology and politicians representing the district. 

Members of Parliament representing the Tamil National Alliance (TNA)  claimed that lands belonging to civilians in the Northern and Eastern Province were being acquired by the Department claiming they were heritage sites. Among the lands were areas in the Thannimurippu and Thiriyaya areas of the Trincomalee district.

 President had reportedly told officials from the Archaeology Department to ensure that Cabinet policies are followed and to stop acquiring lands belonging to the public. He wanted officials of the Archaeology Department to remove border marker stones which are being used as a reason to acquire public-owned land.

However, the reasons for the resignation have not been made public yet.
Prof. Manatuga took over as Director General of the Department of Archaeology with effect from January 1 2021, soon after Dr Senarath Dissanayake retired from the post. 

Earlier he was the Director at the Centre for Heritage Studies of the University of Kelaniya and was the former Head of the Department.

He also served as the Archaeological Director of the Polonnaruwa Project of the Central Cultural Fund for 14 years from  1999-2013