The Mayor of Kurunegala has denied accusations that he ordered the demolition of a building with archaeological value in Kurunegala.
Mayor Thushara Sanjeewa said they only demolished an illegal construction which was part of a hotel named Buwaneka.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapksa has appointed a committee headed by Director-General of Archaeology Professor Senarath Dissanayake to investigate the incident.
Director-General of Archaeology Professor Senarath Dissanayake said the Department of Archaeology had filed a complaint with the Kurunegala Police on the demolition of a part of the Court on 06 July.
The Department of Archaeology had filed another complaint with the Kurunegala Police after the building was bulldozed yesterday.
As the Kurunegala Police had disregarded both complaints, the Department of Archaeology had informed the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) both in writing and verbally on the incident.
The 13th Century King’s Court (dating back to the Kurunegala / Yapahuwa Kingdom Era) had fallen under the supervision of the Department of Archaeology.
