Volunteer workforce to protect archaeological monuments

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The government will set up a volunteer work force to protect and preserve archaeological monuments to safeguard them from treasure hunters, the National Heritage Ministry said.

"The government has taken this measure due to the continuous damage caused to archaeological monuments by treasure hunters. Protecting Sri Lanka's heritage for the next generation is the main objective behind this programme," a ministry spokesman said. The spokesman said at present, the police unit guarding archaeological monuments has only 10 policemen.

"When carrying out a mission in this district, they have to obtain the assistance from the police station in the area. This is not a practical exercise and they have to face problems," he said.

The National Heritage Ministry is to begin this programme at divisional level and has instructed the Divisional Archaeology director to establish a volunteer force for the divisions.