Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the disappearance of a stock of school textbooks worth approximately Rs. 800,000, which had been issued by the Educational Publications Department for distribution among students in the Eastern Province.

Investigations conducted by the Thalangama Police have revealed that the driver of the lorry transporting the textbooks had sold the stock to a person collecting used bottles and waste paper for recycling purposes, and had received Rs. 47,000 in return.

A total of 19,892 textbooks intended for distribution among students in the Eastern Province had been handed over to an institution in the Biyagama area contracted by the Educational Publications Department for transportation and delivery.

The driver of a lorry belonging to the institution had taken possession of the stock in May.

However, after information was received that the textbooks had not been delivered as required, an official of the Educational Publications Department lodged a complaint with the Thalangama Police recently.

The police subsequently arrested the lorry driver, and investigations revealed that he had sold the entire stock of textbooks to a waste paper collector by weight.

Accordingly, the individual who purchased the textbooks was also arrested.

During questioning, the waste paper collector revealed that he had sold the textbooks to a recycling facility dealing with old newspapers and waste paper in the Peliyagoda area.

Thalangama Police stated that investigations are underway to arrest several other suspects believed to be connected to the incident.