The government has stopped the Eastern Provincial Council (EPC) from gaining control over archeological sites in the province.

After studying the draft proposals prepared by the EPC, a Parliamentary Committee had informed the provincial council that it was inconsistent with the constitution as it was a subject mentioned in the reserved list of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. "Archaeological Remains Development Statute of the Eastern province," was examined by a committee chaired by Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakody and the report tabled in Parliament on Friday.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa directed that the provincial council be informed of the committee decision. EPC with Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan as Chief Minister administers a province which is mostly inhabited by Tamils and Muslims.

It had sought a greater say when dealing with archaeological sites in the area by carrying out research, preserving them and the authority to monitor activities being carried out by the government.

Source: Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka