K’gala Magistrate gives order preventing Mayor, others from accessing site of Buwaneka Hotel

The Attorney General’s Department yesterday obtained an order from Kurunegala Magistrate A.D.C.S. Hewawasam to protect and prevent access to the demolished Buwaneka Hotel building site, pending investigations.

The Magistrate issued the order preventing the Mayor of the Kurunegala Municipal Council, Deputy Mayor, councillors, Municipal Commissioner or municipal engineer from entering the Buwaneka Hotel premises, after a senior Department official made detailed submissions to court on the destruction of the building which is an archaeological site.

A written notice of the Magistrate’s order was sent to the Kurunegala Mayor.

The Court Order came a day after Attorney General Dappula de Livera directed the Acting IGP to move court to obtain expert opinion from DG Archaeology and DG NBRO and afford protection to the destruction site.

He also instructed the Acting IGP Chandana Wickramaratne to submit complete investigation material relating to the destruction of the Buwaneka Hotel in Kurunegala by 31 July.

After consulting with the SSP Kurunegala and senior Police officials in the area as well as the Director General (DG) of Archaeology and DG of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), the AG gave comprehensive written instructions on Wednesday pertaining to further investigations necessary into the destruction of the building.