Ex-Kurunegala Mayor and four others sentenced to 3 years RI

Former Mayor of Kurunegala Thushara Sanjeewa Vitharana and four others have been sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty over the destruction and removal of the ancient ‘Raja Sabha Mandapaya’ (King’s Court) in Kurunegala.

On 06 August 2020, the Kurunegala Magistrate had issued arrest warrants against the Kurunegala Mayor, the Municipal Commissioner, Engineer and two others in the case filed over the demolishing of the Buwaneka Hotel, a building historical value which dates back to the 13th century and is presumed to be the King’s Court of King Buwanekabahu II.

The then Attorney General had previously directed the then Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) to obtain warrants from the court and arrest the said individuals.

Three days later, on 10 August, the arrest warrants were re-issued by the Kurunegala Magistrate as the Kurunegala Police failed to execute the warrants previously issued for their arrests.

On 11 August, five persons including the Kurunegala Mayor filed writ petitions challenging the arrest warrant issued against them.

The building in question, also known as the Buwaneka Hotel, dates back to the 13th century and is presumed to be the assembly hall used by the contemporary rulers.

On 16 July 2022, the Mayor of Kurunegala had demolished the said building for a road development project. He had claimed that the Road Development Authority (RDA) had given its approval for the demolition.

The Department of Archaeology then filed a complaint claiming that the building demolished by the Kurunegala Mayor is a 13th-century King’s Court, adding that the archaeological site has been listed under the provisions of the Antiquities Ordinance No. 9 of 1940.

A five-member committee was then formed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Cultural and Religious Affairs, under the directives of then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to look into the incident.

In the meantime, then Attorney General Dappula de Livera obtained an order from the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court to protect and prevent access to the demolished historic building site pending investigations.

The prevention order was issued against the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Kurunegala, Municipal Councillors, Municipal Commissioner, and Engineer Municipal Council staff and their representatives.

On 28 July, 2020, the Kurunegala Magistrate ordered the Mayor of Kurunegala to hand over all documents pertaining to the demolished building to the safe custody of the court.

Further, the Kurunegala Magistrate called for all the documents and minutes of the City Development Committee from the Governor of the North-western Province.
On 28 July 2020, the Kurunegala Magistrate ordered the Mayor of Kurunegala to hand over all documents pertaining to the demolished building to the safe custody of the court.

Further, the Kurunegala Magistrate called for all the documents and minutes of the City Development Committee from the Governor of the North-western Province.