They said that this matter which was connected to a Raja Maha Vihare in Kandy was now being investigated by the police.

The sources said laymen and the Maha Sangha had sent a number of petitions to the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs and the President about the activities of the Buddhist Affairs Department in Kandy.

The Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Vihares and the Devales come under the purview of the Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs and his representative in Kandy as such transactions regarding these institutions have to be sent to the Deputy Commissioner's office in Kandy for approval.

The Deputy Commissioner was not available for comment.