Committee to probe demolition of ancient ‘Kings Assembly Hall’ in Kurunegala to conduct an on-site inspection

COLOMBO (News 1st): The committee appointed by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, to investigate the demolition of a building with an archaeological value in Kurunegala, will conduct an on-site inspection on Saturday (July 18). The committee chaired by Professor Senarath Dissanayake, the Director-General of Archaeology consists of 5 members. The building, which dates back to the 13th Century Kurunegala Kingdom Era and is believed to be an ancient ‘Kings Assembly Hall’, was demolished by the Kurunegala Urban Council on Tuesday (July 14). "The committee will conduct the on-site inspection and assess the damages and look into whether it could be restored," Prof. Senarath Dissanayake told News 1st; adding the recommendations and findings following the inspection will be handed over to the Prime Minister. While strongly refuting the claims made by certain individuals on the site being constructed recently, Prof. Dissanayake said there is adequate proof confirming the building was constructed in the Kurunegala era. According to Prof. Dissanayake, following a recent study conducted by the Department of Archaeology before the site was demolished, it was confirmed that the site could easily be restored preserving its archaeological value. "Luckily with the data collected from the previous study, we should be able to restore the building at the site, to its previous condition. As the Department of Archaeology we will do our best to restore the building," Prof. Dissanayake noted. The other members of the committee are R. M. J. Ratnayake the District Secretary of Kurunegala, Archaeologist T. G. Kulatunga, Deputy Director of Archaeology at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Archaeologist Prasad Ranasinghe and Director of the Central Cultural Fund Architect - Sumedha Matota. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed the committee to hand over its final report before the 23rd of July.