The Director General of Archaeology, Professor Anura Manatunga, has resigned from his position effective July 15 after refusing to follow the president’s directive to release questionable paddy land to the people of Mulativu.
The paddy land in question has been acquired under the Archaeological Ordinance for explorations of the historic Kurindi-Maha Viharaya in Mulaitivu, which is an extension of the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura.
According to reports, the incident was:
The Director General of Archaeology has requested that the Surveyor General survey the land. This is after identifying two hundred acres with archaeological finds belonging to the historic Kurundi Maha Vihara of Mullaitivu. These finds depict the early Anuradhapura kingdom. Identification is accomplished through scientific exploration. There were more than 5 acres of paddy land in the identified area.
However, during a meeting chaired by the President at the President’s Secretariat on Thursday evening, the President ordered the release of paddy land to the people. However, the president’s request was turned down by Professor Anura Manatunga. He stated that it could not be done according to the laws of the country covered by the Archaeological Ordinance.
At this point, the President has told the Director General of Archaeology to resign if he cannot implement the order given to him in his capacity as President. Accordingly, it is reported that Professor Anura Manatunga has decided to resign from his position.
When the Department of Archaeology planned to separate inhabited parts from the ancient ruins of Mulathivu Kurundimale Temple after scientific exploration, the people claimed 5 acres of the identified land. However, the owner was willing to grant the same 5 acres to the Department of Archaeology initially.
According to archaeology department sources, the person who claimed these 5 acres of land is also the owner of hundreds of acres of paddy land in Mulaitivu.
Nevertheless, the problem worsened after Northern politicians challenged the scientific method of confirmation of this historical land. This has created an irrational and unnecessary problem that has aggravated over time due to Tamil politicians’ irrational influence.
Tamil National Janata Front leader Gajendrakumar Ponnamanbalam said that the area where the Mulathivu Kurundamalai excavations started was not rich in Buddhist antiquities. Instead, it belonged to the Adi Aiyanar temple, which Hindus have worshipped since time immemorial.
There was a small group of Tamil National Alliance members around this politician who spread this argument. They exerted pressure on the government by raising this as a critical political issue.
They said that the government should immediately stop the forceful Buddhistization of Hindu areas in the north by deploying the army and archaeology officials.
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