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Mullaitivu archaeology protestors released on bail

23 Sep 2022

  • Duo arrested for allegedly hindering archaeological activities at Kurunthoor Malai
BY Mirudhula Thambiah   Former Provincial Councillor Thurairajah Raviharan and Thannimurippu Land Grab Protest Team Leader Rathinarasa Mayuran were enlarged on bail by the Mullaitivu Magistrate’s Court yesterday (22) after the duo were arrested on Wednesday (21) by the Mullaitivu Police on suspicion of allegedly disturbing archaeological activities.  Speaking to The Morning, Police Media Spokesman, Senior Superintendent of Police and Attorney Nihal Thalduwa said yesterday that the two suspects were arrested for holding a protest hindering the activities of the archeologists at the Kurunthoor Malai site following a complaint made by the archeologists to the Mullaitivu Police. “There was an old ‘chaithya’ at the site and the maintenance activities were being carried out. The protestors began to protest at the site against the archeological officers, and started hindering their work. Therefore, the officers lodged a complaint with the Police,” he added.  Meanwhile, Attorney S. Thananchayan who appeared for Raviharan and Mayuran told The Morning yesterday: “We argued on the basis that the arrest was wrongful and we requested to discharge these persons by convincing the judge. The suspects were not given their opportunity to record their statement and other major lacunas on the part of the prosecution were argued on.” He also noted that the next hearing is fixed on 2 February 2023.  Thananchayan said that since it is a clear violation of Fundamental Rights (FR), an application will be filed at the Supreme Court (SC). A series of protests have been staged by the villagers of Kurunthoor Malai against the erecting of a Buddhist temple in the said area as they claim that it is where the historical Hindu Temple Adhi Sivan Ayyanar was situated. However, with the place being declared as an archeological site by the Department of Archeology, such activities had been carried out by the relevant officers.     


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