An investigation has been launched into the disappearance of a stock of school textbooks and activity books issued by the Department of Educational Publications, according to the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewe.

Speaking to the media following an event held today (14), Kaluwewe said that a complaint had also been lodged with the Police regarding the incident.

He explained that the transportation of textbooks and activity books issued by the Department of Educational Publications is carried out by a private transport company on a contractual basis. He added that steps would be taken to recover the value of the missing stock from the company concerned.

On August 12, an official of the Department of Educational Publications had lodged a complaint with the Thalangama Police, stating that a stock of textbooks and activity books worth approximately Rs. 800,000 had not been properly handed over to the designated distribution center.

The missing stock reportedly comprises 19,892 Grade 1 Tamil-language activity books and textbooks issued by the Department of Educational Publications at the Isurupaya premises of the Ministry of Education.

The private transport company contracted by the Department of Educational Publications had obtained permission on May 4 to transport the books.

However, the stock had not been distributed as scheduled to the 12 distribution centers in the Eastern Province.