In a recent circulating video, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been captured engaging in a strong exchange with the Director General of Archaeology, Prof. Anura Manatunga. The dispute arose following Prof. Manatunga’s statement that removing 79 acres of land from the allocated 279 acres for the historic Kurundi Raja Maha Vihara site would be impossible after an archaeological exploration.
During a discussion with representatives of Tamil political parties at the President’s Secretariat on the 9th, President Wickremesinghe sternly addressed Prof. Manatunga, questioning his expertise and remarking, “Are you trying to teach me history? Or am I teaching you?”
Prof. Anura Manatunga, a well-known archaeologist in Sri Lanka, has an extensive background in history and archaeology. With almost two decades of experience at the University of Kelani and research expertise, he succeeded Dr. Senatra Dissanayake as the Director General of the Department of Archaeology.
The disagreement arose when the Archaeology Department official mentioned plans to acquire approximately 270 acres of land for the archaeological site. The President, questioning the necessity of such a large area, asked if it exceeded the size of the Anuradhapura Maha Vihara, one of Sri Lanka’s ancient Buddhist monastic complexes. He further added that Maha Vihara, Jethavanarama, and even Abhayagiri did not require 100 acres combined.
In the aftermath of the heated incident, Archaeology Director General Prof. Anura Manatunga has submitted his resignation letter.
The confrontation between the President and the Archaeology Director General has sparked discussions regarding the preservation of historical sites and the roles of experts in shaping archaeological decisions. As the situation unfolds, the implications for the Department of Archaeology and the historic Kurundi Raja Maha Vihara site remain uncertain.
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