Hidden city beneath A'pura

Nimal Wijesinghe - Anuradhapura Additional District group correspondent

The archaeological clues of a hidden city beneath the Anuradhapura sacred city area is being unearthed and the archaeological excavations are now under way in the proximity of historic Ethul Nuwara (Internal city) of Anuradhapura ancient city.

The excavations and the research are jointly handled by the Archaeological Department and a team of archaeologists and historians of the Berlin University in Germany with Director general of the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) Dr. Siran Deraniyagala who is a world renowned archaeologist, guiding them. Deraniyagala said the excavations would continue for another four years and was hopeful that more important and significant evidence of our glorious history would be unearthed.

Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Chetiyarama temple Ven Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka thera also attached to the CCF told the Daily News, so far no authority has launched a complete exploration of the archaeological, historical and religious assets in the Anuradhapura sacred city area and adjoining areas such as Dankuliya, Galpalama, Pabbatha temple, "Nivattaka Chethiya" and "Rama Kele" areas.

No doubt that there has been a great city submerged deep in the soils of Anuradhapura sacred city area and the suburbs.

The excavations being implemented in the Anuradhapura internal city area spreading along the present Sangamittha Mawatha has been proving the history," the Nayaka thera said.

The thera said the rulers of the country should not hesitate to preserve our history and unearth the hidden historical evidence thus creating a renaissance in the field which is internationally significant.

The foreigners visit Sri Lanka not because of us or our activities but to see the glory and the splendour of our ancient communities, he pointed out.