Former police officer fined

A former police sergeant was found guilty of causing damage to an archaeological site in Walawahangunawewa in Mihintale for attempting to excavation some treasure. He was fined Rs.400,000 by the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Darshika Wimalasiri and sentenced to a two year imprisonment if the fine was defaulted.

The accused M.M. Dayananda was attached to the Udamaluwa police at the time of the incident on April 4, 2011.

He had been evading arrest when three others involved in the incident were taken into custody by Mihintale police and surrendered to police, later. The suspects were produced in court by police. (Upali Ananda)