Investigation launched into missing textbooks

An investigation commenced into the disappearance of a stock of textbooks and activity books issued by the Department of Educational Publications, Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa stated.

Police arrested the lorry driver who transported the textbooks and the person who bought them in connection with the disappearance of a stock of textbooks valued at about Rs.800,000 issued by the Department of Educational Publications for distribution to students in the Eastern Province.

Investigations conducted by the Thalangama Police revealed that the driver who transported them sold the stock of books to a scrap collector and obtained an amount of Rs. 47,000.

The 19,892 textbooks issued for distribution to students in the Eastern Province were handed over for transport to an institution in the Biyagama area contracted with the Department of Educational Publications, and the driver of a lorry belonging to that institution accepted the stock of books last May.

However, upon receiving information that the stock of books was not properly handed over, an officer of the Department of Educational Publications lodged a complaint with the Thalangama Police recently.

During questioning, it was also revealed that the scrap collector sold those books to an old newspaper and paper pulping institution in the Peliyagoda area, and Thalangama Police stated that investigations are underway to arrest several others involved in the incident.