It has been reported that preparations are underway to appoint an officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service to fill the position left vacant by the resignation of Archaeology Director General, Professor Anura Manatunga.
Prasanna Ratnayake, a chartered architect, currently serves as the Deputy Director General of the Department of Archaeology. Based on his professional qualifications and work experience, he is the most qualified candidate to assume the role of Director General. However, it is said that someone else is being considered for the position, disregarding Ratnayake’s suitability.
Professor Anura Manatunga, the former Director General of Archaeology, resigned from his post last week following an exchange of words with the President over his protest against the release of land at the Mulathivu Kurundi Vihara. He is a professor in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Kelaniya.
The government believes that appointing an external candidate to this position will lead to more practical decision-making, particularly in matters such as land acquisition.