By Siri Abayasiri in Matale
A construction project has been initiated that compromises the value of the ancient lamp post located in the center of Matale, in observance of Queen Victoria of Great Britain’s visit to Sri Lanka.
This old lamp post with archeological significance was located near the zonal Education Office in Matale to commemorate Queen Victoria’s reign between 1837 and 1897 for about 165 years.
The lamp tower, a representation of Matale’s beauty and antiquity, is being destroyed, and billboards and a tower for a private phone company has presently taken its place.
Under the direction of former Army Commander and Chief of Defense Staff General Shavendra Silva, it was planned to build a hockey monument at this location, which is regarded as the birthplace of hockey in Sri Lanka.
However, permission was denied due to the location’s archaeological significance.
A complaint over the additional constructions being done there has also been made to the Matale Police by Mr. Roshan de Silva, a former Municipal Councilor.
My memory takes me back to 1979, to a moment etched in time when a strikingly tall and impeccably dressed military officer, a Master in charge of Cadeting at Prince of Wales College commanding a guard of honour presented to President J.R. Jayawardene by the cadets of 3CCC, consisted of Ananda, Nalanda and Prince of Wales Cadet platoons at the Prince of Wales College grounds.
An American national, who had been staying in Sri Lanka for nearly ten months without a valid visa while using a Sinhala name under his American passport, was arrested by the Tourist Police of the Kandy.
Read this week’s Sunday Times for your interesting articles including the ’’5th Column.’’
The only orangutan held at the Dehiwala National Zoological gardens had passed away yesterday.
The Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena Organisation Ven Galagodaatte Ganasara Thera was today imprisoned for the third time.
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