Archaeological site in Batticaloa bulldozed - monk alleges

An archaeological site in Batticaloa dating back to King Saddha Tissa of Anuradhapura has been bulldozed to use the land as a paddy field, a monk alleges. 

The Head of the Sri Mangalaramaya Buddhist Vihara Ven. Ampitiye Sumanarathana Thera said he found ruins including stone pillars and archaeologically valuable objects that were piled up at a side of the land in Karadiyan Aru on the Chenkaladi to Mahaoya road in Batticaloa. 

Sumanarathana Thera pointed out many archaeological sites in this area are also in vulnerable situations due to the activities of the people.

However, Eastern Province Assistant Director of the Department of Archaeology, Aruna Nilmalgoda said an investigation would be initiated to probe the matter and action would be taken accordingly.