Tense situation in Pottuvil following archaeological survey

A tense situation arose on Saturday when a group of officers from the Archaeological Department began to survey land around the Muhudu Maha Viharaya in Pottuvil. 

Reports indicate that locals protested and opposed the work of the Survey Department officers, who began mapping the temple property and the adjacent lands following a directive by the recently appointed Presidential Task Force (PTF) for Archaeological Heritage Management in the Eastern Province. 

The locals had been warned not to obstruct the work of public officials by the Police, and had later gathered to stage a protest regarding the survey and the PTF at the Provincial Council. 

When contacted, the Police Media Unit said they could not comment on the matter.