Department of Archaeology announces Buddhist symbol in Mannakulam: Another land grab attempt in the name of archaeological research

The Department of Archaeology has announced that there is evidence of the presence of a Buddhist shrine with old brick ruins in the Mannakulam area under the Vavuniya North Divisional Secretariat.

The Commanding Officer of the 16th Brigade of the Singa Regiment stated that a site with archaeological symbols was found in the Mannakulam area under the 255 B Grama Niladhari Division of the Vavuniya North Divisional Secretariat. Following this, a team of officials from the Vavuniya Archaeological Office conducted an investigation.

According to the Department of Archaeology, the building consists of 12 stone pillars between 60-70 cm in height and is said to have been written in Sinhala script in connection with pooja and rituals, and dates back to the 8th and 9th centuries BC.

The Department of Archaeology is currently in the process of occupying various areas in the north of Vavuniya such as Vedukunarimalai and Kodaliparichchan in the name of archaeological research, and is currently targeting the Mannakulam area.