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Archaeology Department and Bauddhaloka Foundation sign MoU to conserve ancient Kurundimale temple in Mullaitivu
The Department of Archaeology and Bauddhaloka Foundation signe an MoU yesterday to excavate and conserve the ancient Kurundimale temple and adjoining sites of archeological importance.
The MoU was signed at a ceremony held at the Department by Director General of Archeology Prof. Anura Manatunga and Chairman of the Bauddhaloka Foundation Jagath Sumathiapala in the presence of National Heritage, Performing Arts and Rural Arts Promotion State Minister Vidura Wicramanayake and secretary to the Ministry Nishanthi Jayasinghe.
Prof. Manatunga said that it was the responsibility of the Department of Archeology to protect the heritage, identity and dignity of Sri Lanka. It was the responsibility as well as the duty of all employees of the Department.
Prof. Manatunga said that as archeologists, they treated the Kurundimale Temple, the Munneswaram Kovil, the Temple of the Tooth Relic as well as the Nallur Kovil equally, and that archeologists were people who look at things scientifically and make decisions accordingly. He said that the excavations at Kurundimale had commenced, considering the archeological significance of the site and even if it was a Hindu temple, they would be ready to work there. He mentioned that in the early nineteenth century English officials had identified the site as a Buddhist shrine, and that John Steele, who had previously conducted research in the North East under H.C.P. Bell had clearly stated that it was a large Buddhist temple. This is also known as the largest Buddhist monument in the Mullaitivu District, he said.
The Director General of Archeology said that work on the site had not begun for the past three decades due to the war, and now it was appropriate to begin work on the site because more than a decade had passed since the war ended.
He said that he and his group had been involved in the excavations at the Kurundimale Temple in 2021 and found the ruins of a large stupa there. He said that the Yupa pillar of the stupa had been discovered and that the Stupa in early days had that pillar. That element, which stood as an octagonal tower, was the most sacred part of the stupa, and the fact that the element was found in ruins clearly showed that it was a ruin of a stupa and Buddhist monastery. Surveys had confirmed that it was a monastery belonging to the Pabbata Vihara type. He said that not only Kurundimale but also several archeological sites were expected to be conserved in the next few years with the support of the people of the area as well as contribution of scholars, university students and the Army.
Prof. Manatunga said that conservation work of the Kurundimale site had begun on 11 May, 2021. The Bauddhaloka Foundation had come forward to assist in the conservation and further excavation work at the site. (SI)
Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area.
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, Department of Meteorology at 10.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 for the period until 10.30 a.m. 09 January 2026
The depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka has intensified into a deep depression and is centered near latitude 5.4°N and longitude 85.3°E, about 420 km southeast of Pottuvil at 05.30 a.m. today (08th). The above system is currently (10:00 a.m.) located about 300 km southeast of Pottuvil.
It is very likely to move west-northwestwards across the southwest Bay of Bengal and cross the Sri Lanka coast between Hambantota and Kalmunai between 5.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. on Friday [9th January 2026].
Hence, showery, and windy condition over the island, particularly in the Northern, NorthCentral, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces is expected to enhance from today (08th).
For the Land area:
DAMAGE EXPECTED:
• Damage to huts, temporary shelters and light structures
• Destroy the roof tops/ sheets etc.
• Damage to power and communication lines.
• Breaking of tree branches and uprooting of large avenue trees.
• Damage to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards.
• Damage to harbor yachts
• Flash flood
• Sea water inundation in low lying areas in the near coast.
Action suggested for the Land area:
• Coastal hutment dwellers are advised to move to safer places. Other people in the affected areas to remain indoors.
• People living in hilly areas (particularly landslide prone areas) and low lying areas in river basins are requested to be vigilant.
• Drivers and people using roads in the hilly areas are requested to be vigilant.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• General public is requested to be vigilant regarding impending extreme weather situation.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
• Requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.
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Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and showers about 50-75 mm in other areas
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 08 JANUARY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 by the Department of Meteorology
The depression over the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka, was centered near latitude 5.3°N and longitude 86.0°E, about 490 km southeast of Pottuvil, at 11:30 p.m. yesterday (07). It is expected to move west-northwestwards and towards the eastern coast of the island during next 24 hours. This system is likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours.
Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere in the Island after 1.00 p.m. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces. Fairly Heavy showers about (50 – 75) mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island.
Strong winds about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over the Eastern slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala told Parliament yesterday that information uncovered during ongoing investigations indicated that Pulasthini Mahendran, also known as Sara Jasmine, linked to the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, was not dead.
Responding to a question raised by Opposition MP Mujibur Rahuman, the Minister said there was no confirmation that Sara Jasmine was currently in India, despite speculation to that effect. He added that investigators suspected she may have fled the country and stressed that further inquiries were underway to establish her whereabouts.
“If necessary, the government will take steps to obtain a warrant,” Wijepala said, noting that legal action related to the Easter attacks had already been initiated, based on available evidence.
Minister Wijepala said the new government had launched an thorough probe to determine whether a political or other conspiracy had been behind the attacks that killed more than 270 people in 2019. However, he declined to disclose certain details in Parliament, citing the risk of hampering investigations.
Sara Jasmine, Mohammed Hashtun, who bombed St. Sebastian’s Church, in Katuwapitiya, in 2019, was long presumed to have died in a suicide blast in Sainthamaruthu, days after the attacks. Wijepala said attempts by previous administrations to establish her death had failed, with recent reports indicating that DNA tests conducted at the time were inconclusive.
During the debate, MP Rahuman recalled that senior figures, including then-Opposition MP Nalinda Jayatissa, had previously claimed Sara Jasmine was in India. He questioned why authorities had not sought an open warrant for her arrest whether the issue had been raised in talks with Indian officials.
Wijepala, responding on behalf of Deputy Minister of Defence Arun Jayasekara, said the government would not hesitate to pursue legal action, including warrants, if necessary.
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