Colombo DIG Ujith Liyanage was arrested a short while ago by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over allegations that he attempted to prevent the arrest of his wife, who is among the suspects in a treasure-hunting case in the Anuradhapura district.

The case concerns alleged unauthorised excavations at Timbirigaskadawala in Sravasthipura, Anuradhapura, said to have been carried out in search of hidden treasures near a shrine. The Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court earlier ordered the Director General of Archaeology to submit an urgent report verifying whether the land belongs to the Department of Archaeology and whether it holds archaeological value.

The suspects, including the wife of the DIG, were produced before court and remanded until 26 August. Acting Magistrate Chandana Weerakoon also directed all telecommunications companies to provide police with phone analysis reports of the suspects, to determine whether a DIG attempted to influence officers by phone to secure their release.

Chief Magistrate Nalaka Sanjeewa Jayasuriya has ordered the Anuradhapura Police to submit a progress report on the ongoing investigations. Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya has instructed the CID to carry out a special inquiry into the matter.