An individual has been arrested in connection with the removal of signboards at archaeological sites in the Batticaloa District, according to the Police Media Division.
The individual has been arrested in Kiran, Batticaloa.
Meanwhile, the Valaichchenai Police have recovered the signboards removed by the suspects.
The Chairman of the Valaichchenai Pradeshiya Sabha, who is linked to the incident, has fled the area and four police teams are conducting investigations to locate 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.
Meanwhile, speaking in Parliament today (24), Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala stated that investigations have already begun to apprehend those responsible and that details of the incident have already been reported to court.
