Police launch manhunt for Valachchenai PS Chairman

Colombo, Nov. 25 (Daily Mirror) - Police have launched an investigation to arrest the Chairman of the Valachchenai Pradeshiya Sabha, who is reported to have fled the area following the controversial removal of archaeological signboards in the Batticaloa District.

Police said an individual has been arrested in connection with the incident in the Kiran area. Valachchenai Police have also recovered several signboards that were forcibly removed.

Police said the Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman is believed to be directly involved in the incident, and four separate police teams have been deployed to trace and arrest him.

The Department of Archaeology commenced setting up directional and information boards marking archaeological sites in the Batticaloa District on November 3.

However, on November 22, officials from the local Pradeshiya Sabha had removed these boards.

A video showing boards being removed circulated on social media in the past few days.

Subsequently, an investigation was launched.