Archaeological officers complain over building of kovil

By Sithum Chathuranga   

Archaeological officers in Vavuniya have lodged a complaint with the Omanthai police against a certain group of people for building a Kovil after bulldozing a place with archaeological monuments and ruins belonging to the Anuradhapura period.   

people are building a Kovil after bulldozing archaeological monuments

All archaeological monuments including ancient ‘stupa’ base, Sri Pada (Feet) , bases of buildings, stone pillars, bricks and tiles had been bulldozed by this unidentified group and Statues of Gods have been placed on an ancient Moonstone Lamp according to the complaint made by the officers.   

In the meantime, the area, in question spread over seven acres including archaeological ruins and memorials has been enclosed as a private land and arrangements have been made to build a kovil on that land.   

Despite alleged police inaction to stop this destruction even after the lapse of several weeks since the complaint, a top officer, in response to a query, said an investigation has been launched in this connection.