Sri
Lanka has the unique distinction of having the highest concentration of sites
of archealogical value of any Country on Earth. A rich 2500 + year history has
seen to that, and in the past 10 years with the advent of relatively cheap
metal detectors, most of the sites referred to have been desecrated of any item
of historic interest. As I write there are probably 10 sites being excavated now!!!
“Nidan
Harana Aka” (digging for antiquities) has become the pastime of choice of all
get rich quick dreamers, and most Government Ministers. After all it is said
that the Government chose a site for their Deyata Kirula, so that they may
first remove all items of historical interest from the site by the use of
Excavators and Bulldozers, before they prepare the soil for the exhibition.
Accordingly this daylight robbery of the National Treasures has received State
Patronage, as is believed by the public as the work of elected officials.
Not
a day goes by without an incident of this nature, and now people appear to be
digging their private property for such items. When I point out inexplicable
holes in my property in Polonnaruwa, the locals say that it was as a result of
someone digging out some antiquity or another in that spot!
Stories,
and gossip and hearsay are legendary today of people making their fortunes after
discovering or digging up a treasure from some historic period. The finding of
King Dutugamunu’s ceremonial sword, is supposed to give the owner powers over
the subjects. The people of Sri Lanka suckers for anything otherworldly lap it
up hook line and sinker as the truth, even if an artifact was in fact excavated
or not.
The
beleaguered and underesourced Archealogical Department is at pains to
dissociate themselves from any of these allegations, by just saying that they
just do not have the resources to guard all these sites, and that they need an army!
I
have the privilege of going to all sorts of places in the Country, and
invariably find places of historical interest, with sometimes a marking on the
road, pointing in the direction of the source, and in others only the local people
are aware of them and direct me to the site. I am amazed just how much there
is.
In
some instances there are temples that are used, with a resident priest tasked
with guarding it, and who is now beside himself, saying he just does not have
the resources to guard against the theft, that even his small temple suffers
from.
It
is in this context that many living or existing temples which also double as
places of historical interest have a precarious existence. I was at a temple
last Sunday in Bibile, where the priests have not been permitted to build (the
first stages of the foundations have had to be abandoned) due to the
intervention of the courts, saying it is of historic interest, and until a
proper excavation is done, they are not permitted to build a permanent
structure because of it.
In
this instance they have to live in temporary very basic accommodation until the
matter is resolved. They appealed to us to intervene on their behalf.
Then
there are many other places, some deep inside forests that have been
desecrated, and often, even the Chaityas (Dagobas) raided, broken into and
whatever was deposited inside, removed. The readily available heavy equipment
has enabled more of this plunder to take place, even a few weeks ago
I
am sure the reader will not be able to comprehend a number such as 100,000, but
if one even goes to Kotte, there is a whole section of palaces and sites in the
heart of Colombo, that few people know of, and is hidden from view for all
sorts of reasons. If I was an archealogist, I would have to spend many
lifetimes, just understanding what is in just a district only, let alone the 25
Districts we have in Sri Lanka today, and cry my heart out seeing the destruction
in 10 years
How
can we guard these places from Plunder without further public spending? My
answer is to give the task to the Army or the Forces. They are the best
equipped to guard, having had sufficient experience in the insurrection of
guarding electricity sub stations, hydro dams and a list of other sensitive
sites. We have a huge Security Force, that engages in building hotels, building
their own Security Forces HQ in Pelawatte, and engaging in activities such as
farming, transporting vegetables and competing with established businesses.
What
better way of guarding national treasures from permanent disappearance?
Remember we have already lost perhaps 50% of what we had 40 years ago, as it
was not noticed, done surreptitiously and with few resources or even knowledge
that such places existed. Elected leaders must share most of the blame.
It
is now time to document ALL areas of historical interest. Look at who is
currently living there, usually a temple with a few priests, if any, and see if
they need further protection. IF they do then provide the needed security, and
of all other unguarded places of historical significance, grade them with an
ABC of historical value and then provide the necessary, starting with the most
urgent.
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