Old Park in Jaffna town won’t be demolished

by P.Krishnaswamy

Northern Province Governor Maj. Gen.G.A.Chandrasiri has denied reports which appeared in some sections of the Tamil media that the 18th century Old Park in Jaffna town, which the Archaeological Department recently declared as a site of archaeological value will be demolished on his orders. He told the Sunday Observer that these reports are totally incorrect.

In fact, the Government has implemented a plan to renovate and beautify the park while preserving and protecting the sites of archaeological value in it. The old parapet wall will be demolished and a beautifully netted-wall will be built in its place to enable passers-by to view the park also from outside, he said.

The landscaping and beautifying work is being done in consultation with the Archaeological Department, he said. The Governor said that a program to renovate the Old Jaffna Kachcheri building to give it a new facelift will be implemented and this too would be done in consultation and with assistance from the Archaeological Department.