Archaeological Commissioner General Senarath Dissanayake has said that the Police have failed to enforce the law on the parties who are responsible for the demolition of the historic Hotel Buwaneka in Kurunegala.

This archaeological site, which operated under the supervision of the Archaeological Department, has been demolished by the Kurunegala Mayor for a road expansion project. Speaking to the media, the Mayor said he duly obtained approval of the Road Development Authority to proceed with the demolition.

Meanwhile, former Minister Mangala Samaraweera said the Kurunegala Mayor must be held accountable for the wanton destruction of an important archaeological site from the 13th century.

"Barbarians are no longer at the gates but on the seats of power" Samaraweera said in a tweet.