Sivachchelvy, S.2024-12-022024-12-022019-03-29Proceedings of the PGIHS Research Congress ( PGIHS-RC) -2019, University of Peradeniya, p. 22978-955-7395-02-9https://ir.lib.pdn.ac.lk/handle/20.500.14444/4298The objectives of this research study are marking out the Heritage assets located in the Jaffna Municipal Council area, finding out the reasons for the extinction of those heritage assets, improving the current management plan by considering the difficulties faced in the maintenance of those assets and identifying strategies to preserve them. The sustainability of heritage assets is important to maintain the aesthetic, cultural, and traditional aspects of the Jaffna Municipal Council area. This study is important in that it pays attention to the heritage assets with a view to preserving them. The heritage sites in the area in question have not been identified completely. A large number of heritage sites have been destroyed partially or fully due to the war, the impact of plants and animal activities, and the shortage of archeological experts, etc. The study collected information pertaining to the distribution of heritage sites, the classification of heritage related assets, the impact of Development projects on the heritage sites in the Peninsula, heritage management activities, the history of the area and the laws governing the heritage sites. The collection of data was done mainly through field visits, direct observations, interviews with relevant individuals and officers of the Departments of Archeology, RDA, RDD, MC and Buildings. Data was also obtained from Reports of the Department of Archaeology, feasibility study reports, magazines and popular literature. The study found that 30% of the heritage related assets in the said area are unattended and therefore are not protected, while the heritage related assets which could reveal the traditional identity of the Tamil Nation are in a state of deterioration. Climatic changes, the war, the in-efficiency of the institutional structures, uncontrolled development, and occupation were identified as the reasons for that situation. The overall study conclusions show that the identity of the nation as embodied in the heritage sites is being lost. Hence it is found that solutions should be identified for protecting the Heritage related assets so as to ensure their survival. The study maintains that measures should be taken to preserve the endangered heritage signs within the town with a view to protecting those signs and handing them over to the future generation.en-USHeritageHistoryJaffnaArticle