The Sri Lankan Archaeological Department recently surveyed the forested Kodaliparichchan area in Nainamadu, Vavuniya District and has devised plans to commence excavations on spurious grounds that ancient Buddhist sites are buried in the site.
The Archaeological Department was informed about the presence of historical remnants in the site including stone gopurams and pillars by the army stationed in Vavuniya.
Military personnel in Vavuniya North entered the Nainamadu Forest Reserve and, having noticed traces of supposedly Buddhist historical artefacts, notified the Archaeological Department.
The Department then arrived at the site to conduct a preliminary investigation without the knowledge of either the Grama Seva authorities or the residents of the village.
Following the survey, a Department official said that remains of ancient Buddhist structures have been found and further archaeological excavations would be initiated.
This development has raised concerns amongst Tamils in Vavuniya because previous such moves were followed by a Sinhalisation of the area and growth in Sinhalese settlements. Nainamadu constitutes a Grama Seva division which falls under the jurisdiction of the Vavuniya North Divisional Secretary.
Areas in Vavuniya North including Nedunkeni and Ootrukulam have previously been subjected to aggressive Sinhalisation causing a fear amongst the residents of Nainamadu that their homeland will also meet a similar fate.
