Amanda Ciappara’s letter (January 10) on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure in regard to the proposed use of the lower ground level of Casa Lanfreducci in Valletta for the extension to the theatre in Freedom Square is a disappointingly poor attempt at explaining away a pretty unpleasant and insensitive decision by the government.

She refers to Casa Lanfreducci somewhat sloppily as the “representative office of the Malta section of the Order”. It is actually the headquarters of the Maltese Association of the Order, the members of which have protected the human remains found there over the recent years.

The government appears to be happy to allow what is a burial site for Knights who fought for Malta to be desecrated and used for the convenience of theatre performers. This decision (apart from being crassly insensitive) is nothing short of disgraceful and should be reviewed with urgency. I find it extraordinary that anyone can possibly defend such a terrible idea. Part of Ms Ciappara’s defence of this decision appears to be based on the fact that (apparently) a barber leased the premises some 50 years ago. This is nonsense as the Knights’ remains, and therefore, the site’s historical and spiritual significance, had not been discovered at the time. It does not change the reality of the impact of the proposed “development”. What has happened to preservation of our heritage, and, incidentally, why have Din l-Art Ħelwa not commented as yet?