Valletta's entrance

While I wholeheartedly share Vincent Galea's sentiments (July 18), I would like to add that Valletta's original Porta Reale was much more in keeping with Valletta's architectural heritage than anything erected since. It would appear that the British had more respect for Malta's heritage than the Maltese have shown so far. The present entrance is an absolute disgrace, reminiscent of a third world country.

An entrance that only serves to bring shame on and embarrassment to such a noble city of world heritage classification. Reinstating the old entrance would be one measure to restore quiet dignity to a city that has long been the victim of neglect because of misguided political partisanship.

I sincerely hope that the same fate does not befall the old Opera House site. In my humble opinion the Opera House should be rebuilt maintaining its original external architecture and proportions and the inside adapted to whatever today's needs dictate whether it be a state of the art opera house, a house of Parliament or an upmarket shopping arcade.