Fort Magistrate Prasanna Alwis directed the Director General of Archaeology today (30) to deploy officials to the site in Melwatta, Ja-Ela, where an antique gold-plated Hanuman statue, valued around 2.5 billion rupees, reportedly buried.

The Magistrate additionally instructed the Police Special Task Force to provide required security for the location.

This order followed a motion filed by the Colombo Crime Division requesting permission to conduct excavation work on August 3.

The Colombo Crime Division previously sought authorisation to inspect the location regarding the burial of the statue.

Two suspects arrested for attempting to sell the statue following the Hiru CIA revelation face remand until August 5.

Investigations commenced after the Deputy Minister of Public Security lodged a complaint with the Inspector General of Police concerning an audio clip broadcast on a private channel utilising the Deputy Minister's name, prompting directives to the Criminal Investigation Department.

Police informed the court that extensive inquiries are underway concerning the circulating audio clip detailing how this Hanuman statue, originating from the Jaffna area during the LTTE conflict, remains buried in Melwatta, Ja-Ela, alongside ongoing efforts to apprehend additional suspects connected to the incident.