He made these remarks during a discussion regarding protecting historic places with archaeological values held at the President’s Official Residence on Thursday (22nd Dec.).

During the meeting it was discussed in detail to implement an accelerated program to ascertain the insecure and vulnerable sites rich with archaeological value and to name those sites as archaeological reserves.

Attention has been drawn to implement this program through a Committee which consists of representatives from the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Law and Order, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Home Affairs and District Secretaries, Divisional Secretaries and the public.

President Sirisena also pointed out the importance of the contribution of all the communities in implementing this program and further said that an attitudinal development should be made to preserve our ancient heritage irrespective of communal differences to pass it on to future generations.

The special attention has been drawn during this meeting to develop the required infrastructure facilities in order to provide accurate and efficient service from the Department of Archaeology.

The book titled “Gale Ketu Akuru” authored by the Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thera and a Compact Disc were also presented to the President during the meeting.

Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thera, Ven. Galaboda aththe Gnanissara Thera, Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa, Ministry Secretaries, officials including Director General of Archaeology Dr. Senarath Dissanayake were among those who attended this discussion.