Kuragala shrine:

Vested interests trying to stir trouble- Archeology DG

by Jaliya Wijekoon

Sri Lanka's archeology chief yesterday warned that "unscrupulous elements with vested interests" were trying to creat a crisis situation over one of Sri Lanka's oldest Muslim shrines in Kuragala, near Balangoda.

He said that the relevant authorities would take all stepts to counter such behaviour. Archaeology Director General Dr. Senerath Dissanayake addressed a media briefing yesterday at Information Department to explain the controversy over the mosque in the Kuragala Archaeological reserve.

Dr. Dissanayake said that this 58 acre plot of land was proclaimed as an archaeological site in 1970 ad it uncovers a wealth of information about the existence of mankind even prior to the pre-historic period.

We found a human skeleton which is believed to be over 16,000 years in our excavations and it was sent to Oxford and Cambridge Universities for further examination.

Dr. Dissanayake said that the mosque in question had been built even prior to 1920 according to the available information.

During the time of Ranasinghe Premadasa an alternative land had been allocated to the mosque adjoining the historical reserve but they had not still moved in there due to financial constraints.

Director General Dissanayake said that they have already dismantled over forty buildings and only the mosque and two or three tombs still remain in the site.

He said that some unscrupulous elements with vested interest are trying to create a chaotic situation against which the relevant authorities would take necessary steps.

Dissanayake stated very clearly that they will give sufficient time for the Moulavis to relocate it at the alternate land already given and if they do not move in within the stipulated period that they will be compelled to demolish the mosque.