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The Sri Lankan Army has declared it has discovered ancient Buddhist ruins in Kilinochchi, with the area now closed off as a “sacred archaeological site”.
Troops from the Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) troops of the 662 Brigade allegedly came across the site “by accident”, according to the Army website. After an inspection from Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe, Commander of the Security Forces in Kilinochchi, government archaeologists were called in, who stated that the site held a Buddhist temple from the Polonnaruwa period and needed “further excavations, extensive research and comprehensive evaluations”.
The area is currently home to a Hindu temple, which the Army admits has been there since at least the 1940s.
In 2010, after a flood of government archaeologists ‘discovering’ Buddhist sites in the North, Peram Kana wrote this.
“Ever heard of 'archaeology' being the first priority in a conquered territory? If you have not heard of such a practice, then you don't know the Sri Lanka state.”
See more here.
Also see our earlier posts:
BBS wants Defence Ministry to 'take over' archaeology (19 October 2013)
US embassy provides funds to Sri Lanka archaeology department (19 August 2013)
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