Courtesy Hiru News

The Valachchenai Magistrate’s Court today (25) ordered the Chairman and three others implicated in the removal of Archaeology Department signboards and directional boards to re-install the removed boards in their original locations.

The court released the four suspects—including Valachchenai-Koralepattu Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman S. Sudhakaran—on personal bail of Rs.100,000 each, totalling Rs. 400,000.

The counsel for the suspects argued before the court that, according to the Local Government Ordinance, permission must be obtained from the relevant local authority to erect any sign or name board.

He claimed the local body removed the Archaeology Department’s boards because they lacked this necessary approval.

However, Assistant Director of Archaeology for Batticaloa and Ampara, Anushan Munasinghe, who appeared for the Archaeology Department, countered this argument.

He stated that under the Antiquities Ordinance (Act No. 24 of 1998, amending Act No. 9 of 1940), the Department is not required to obtain permission from the relevant local authority to erect archaeological name or signboards.

He further confirmed that the Department had complied with the law by displaying the information in all three languages.

Considering the arguments presented, the Magistrate ordered the suspects to re-establish the boards at the original sites.

This work must be completed before December 15.

Furthermore, the Valachchenai Police were ordered to submit a progress report on the reinstallation to the court on the same date, December 15th.