Sri Lanka's Galle Fort to be Renovated to Attract Tourists

13th October 2010, www.dailynews.lk, By Priyanka Kurugala

The National Heritage and Cultural Affairs Ministry will renovate the ancient Galle Fort to attract both local and foreign tourists, Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

Plans are underway to renovate the Galle Fort and other places of historical value under this program. "We should introduce this heritage site to the international community," the Minister said.

"Laws are not enough to preserve the country's archaeological sites. Due to this reason the Ministry expects to draft bills to empower laws to preserve archaeological sites," Wanniarachchi said.

The Government and officers alone are unable to preserve national heritage sites of the country. Public support is essential, she said. Under the Galle Fort development project, the Ministry has also planned to preserve Kalukotuwa, an ancient prison of the Dutch period. Tunnels and a deserted building which had been used as a Government Secretariat are also included in the plan.