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)