Mullaitivu magistrate T. Saravanaraja on July 04 ordered the police to evict a group of Buddhist monks from an archaeological site claimed by Buddhists and Hindus.
The monks had been making offerings at Kurundi Vihara at Kurunthurmalai, when the magistrate inspected the place to determine if any new constructions had come up there against a court order issued a year ago.
As the magistrate and his staff, along with archaeology and police officials, were going through their inspection, a group led by MP Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara was seen photographing the proceedings.
On April 27, the state counsel representing the archaeology department said no new constructions had been built there.
Refuting the claim, the lawyer for the complainants requested the magistrate to inspect the site.
During his visit, magistrate Saravanaraja observed a square-shaped new construction about six feet high, with the floor newly-polished and plastered.
He ordered the police and the archaeology department to make their submissions to the court on August 08.
The magistrate permitted Hindus to conduct an offering at the site on July 14.
The case has been filed in 2022 against the Army’s construction of a stupa at Kurundi Vihara, where Hindus claim a Devale dedicated to God Siva had existed.
