No minority representation in new Archaeology Advisory Committee

No representatives from minority communities are included in the newly appointed  Archaeology Advisory Committee, according to a gazette notification. 

The nineteen member Committee is consist of senior Buddhist monks from the influential Buddhist Chapters and academic from South. 

Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr Hiniduma Sunil Senevi issued a gazette notification dated November 1 on the appointment of the Committee under Section 39 "A" of the Antiquities Ordinance (Chapter 188) as amended by Act, No. 24 of 1998. 

The mandate of the Committee is fixed from 10.03.2025 to 09.03.2027.

The individuals appointed to the Committee as follows: 

1. Venerable Wendaruwe Dharmakeerthi Sri Rathanapala Upali Nayaka Thero (M.A), Chief Incumbent Thero of the

Polonnaruwa Solosmasthana Rajamaha Viharaya, Anunayaka Thero of the Asgiri Maha Vihara Chapter of the Maha

Viharawanshika Shyamopali Maha Nikaya.

2. Venerable Dr. Pahamune Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thero,

Chief Registrar of the Malwathu Maha Vihara Chapter of the Shyamopali Maha Nikaya.

3. Venerable Dr. Galwewa Wimalakantha Thero

4. Professor P.B. Mandawala

5. Professor Senarath Dissanayake

6. Emeritus Professor Jagath Weerasinghe

7. Professor Karunasena Hettiarachchi

Department of History and Archaeology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

8. Professor Mangala Katugampola

Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya

9. Professor R. M. M. Chandraratne

Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya

10. Senior Professor Malinga Amarasinghe

Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya

11. Senior Professor Raj Somadeva

12. Emeritus Professor Samitha Manawadu

13. Dr. (Mrs.) Rose Solanga Arachchi

14. Dr. (Mrs.) Sriyani Hathurusinghe,

Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya

15.. Dr. Wijeratne Bohingamuwa

Department of History and Archaeology, University of Ruhuna, Matara

16. Dr. B.D. Nandadeva

17. Dr. Gamini Wijesuriya

18. Dr. Aruna Rajapaksa

Department of Archaeological Studies, University of Peradeniya

19. Mr. Hemantha Kumara Balachandra, Architect