PARLIAMENT

• 3 PADI licensed Archaeology degree holders placed in schools as development officers - Sectoral Oversight Committee disclose
• Attention towards the sanitary conditions in Galle

The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Media, Youth, Heritage and New Citizen took into account the future road map of the Galle Heritage Foundation.

The discussion on the said took place when the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Media, Youth, Heritage and New Citizen met in Parliament under the chairmanship of Member of Parliament Hon. Lalith Varna Kumara recently (Nov. 22) in Parliament.

Accordingly, Dr. Nilan Cooray, Chairman of the Galle Heritage Foundation stated that they aim to list the heritage assets which are not covered by the Antiquities Ordinance for protection. Furthermore, the Chairman stated that conducting underwater archeological research on the shipwrecks within the historic Galle port, conducting stratified archaeological investigations to understand the history of the site during the pre-colonial period, documenting heritage buildings, structures and elements including the streetscapes showing the current status are also a part of the future programme intending to develop Galle.

The youth representatives expressing views stated that there are 3 PADI licensed Archaeology degree holders placed in schools as development officers. The representatives stated that better results could be obtained if such talent can be utilized for more related work. Moreover, the youth representatives also brought to the attention of the Committee that the sanitary conditions in Galle are not up to satisfaction.

The officials while appreciating the contributions of the youth representatives stated that such matters would be duly looked into.

The Committee also took into consideration the Annual Report of the Galle Heritage Foundation for the year 2020 and the Performance Report of the Department of Cultural Affairs for the year 2022 and approved it.

Members of Parliament, Hon. Jagath Samarawickrama, Hon. Gayantha Karunatilleka, Hon. Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda, Hon. Jayantha Ketagoda participated at the meeting held.