CA issues order staying arrest warrant on Kurunegala Mayor

The Court of Appeal (CA) today (25) issued an interim order staying the execution of the arrest warrant issued against the Kurunegala Mayor and four others by the Kurunegala Magistrate's Court in connection with the demolition of a building of archaeological value. 

The CA issued the order in response to writ petitions filed by the Kurunegala mayor and others challenging the arrest warrants issued against them. 

The Kurunegala Magistrate's Court had earlier issued arrest warrants for Kurunegala Mayor Thushara Sanjeewa Vitharana and four others over their alleged involvement in the demolition of a building known as the Buwaneka Hotel. The building is thought to date back to the 13th Century and is believed to have been used as a 'Raja Sabha Mandapaya' (Audience Hall) by King Buwanekabahu. 

However, the CA's interim order stays the executions of the arrest warrants until the final determination of the writ petitions filed by the petitioners.