No danger of Galle Fort being removed as world heritage site - Sagala

The danger of Galle Fort being removed from a list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO no longer exists as the Government has properly implemented all conditions imposed by world body, Minister of Law & Order and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayake stated. 

Ministr Ratnayake stated this at a media briefing convened in Galle after carrying out an inspection tour of the Fort on Sunday (7).

Speaking further, Minister Ratnayake claimed a danger had arisen in the past that UNESCO would take Galle Fort off its list of "living heritage" sites as numerous construction work had been undertaken inside the fort in violation of the strict conditions imposed by the organization. "However, after this government came to power, we worked hard to ensure that those strict conditions were followed, and as such, the danger of UNESCO de-listing Galle Fort as a living heritage no longer exists."

He further remarked that there were now plans to shift 14 institutions that are within the Galle Fort to areas outside. The Minister stated that some elements were claiming that the government was also planning to shift All Saints College from inside the Fort. He pointed out that All Saints College was housed in a land of just 70 perches but had a student population of 2500. No one speaks of the problems faced by those children, he alllged. Nevertheless, the government was currently undertaking discussions  to extend the school's boundary, taking into consideration the needs of the children while also being mindful to not harm the historic nature of the Fort. 

Text and Pix by Sirangika Lokukaravita in Galle

 

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