By Shirajiv Sirimane
The Galle Heritage Foundation is to launch a ‘Galle Fort clean up’ campaign today (9) to make the venue a more presentable venue for both locals and foreigners.
A member of the Foundation, Ms. Nalini Aberwardane said that they have got all the line Ministries and other institutions involved for this campaign.
Galle fort was built first by the Portuguese, and then modified by the Dutch during the 17th century. Even today, after 400 years of existence, it looks new and polished with reconstruction work done by Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka.
She said that today sadly the Fort is being used by young couples to engage in indecent behavior while there is prostitution drug trafficking also taking place. In addition dumping of garbage is also another major issue.
The Dutch fort also known as Ramparts of Galle withstood the Boxing Day tsunami which destroyed the Galle town. There are many Moor families who live inside this fort along with Sinhalese, Dutch, English, Portuguese and Germans.
She said that in addition to Government officials, Police Army and Environmental Police too would be deployed for tomorrow’s operation.