Three years’ RI for former Kurunegala Mayor, five others

Five persons including former Kurunegala Mayor Thushara Sanjeewa Vitharana were sentenced to three years’ Rigorous Imprisonment by Kurunegala Provincial High Court Judge Lal Ranasinghe Bandara after they pleaded guilty for the demolition of palace of King Buwenekabahu which is said to be belonging to the Kurunegala Kingdom.

The Judge made this order when the case, filed by the Attorney General was taken up before the Court for the first time yesterday.

In addition the accused were ordered to pay a fine of Rs 50,000 each. The High Court Judge also ordered them to pay a compensation of Rs.13.6 million for the damages caused. The Attorney General filed indictments against former Kurunegala Mayor Thushara Sanjeeewa Vitharana, former Municipal Commissioner Pradeep Thilakaratne, former Muncipal Engineer Chaminda Bandara, foreman Elaludeen Zulfikar, Backhoe operator Lakshman Priyantha before the Kurunegala High Court.

Charges have been filed regarding the demolition of the building with archaeological value “Bhuvanekaba Raja Sabha Mandapaya” located in the Kurunegala city. Former Mayor and the other accused appeared before Court yesterday. Rienzie Arsakularatne, PC who appeared on behalf of the respondents, told Court that his clients are ready to plead guilty to the charges filed against them by the Attorney General. State Counsel Madhava Tennakoon appearing for the Attorney General informed court that since the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court has issued a summons to arrest the respondents on suspicion of this incident, the order should be executed.

The State Counsel informed that since it is a positive sign that the respondents have pleaded guilty to the indictments, he has no objection to the Court orders taken in this regard. Accordingly, the High Court Judge ordered the respondents to be arrested and remanded and the case heard. The judge ordered to pay Rs.13.6 million if they plead guilty to the charges which is the assessment value given to the Department of Archeology by the Building Research Institute for the damage caused to the archaeological site.

The Judge postponed the trial for two hours giving time to the respondents to make the payment.The trial resumed after the respondents deposited the money in court. The State Counsel at this point stated that the damage done to this building with scientific value is very serious and it is clear that it was deliberate damage and it is clear even from the photographs that have been received.

Pointing out that the respondents have acted irresponsibly, State Counsel Madhava Tennakoon urged Court that the respondents be given the maximum possible punishment under the Archealogical Act.

High Court Judge Lal Bandara Ranasinghe, who took into account the facts presented, pointed out that this incident has caused great controversy in the country and said the mayor, who should act as an example to the people as the leading citizen of the city, has behaved irresponsibly.

Taking into account the serious damage done to a valuable archaeological site in the country, the judge said that he would impose a punishment in such a way that no one would resort to such damage in the future.

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