Sri Lanka, March 3 -- Former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Udith Liyanage and an army soldier pleaded not guilty to charges related to illegal excavations at an archaeological site in Shravasthipura, Anuradhapura. While these two suspects remain in remand, seven other individuals-including the former DIG's wife-pleaded guilty before the court today.

Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Siyapath Sasindu Wickramaratne imposed a fine of Rs. 100,000 each on the seven suspects who admitted to the charges after spending seven months in remand. Among those fined are the former DIG's wife, D.A. Indrani Kumari Dissanayake, and a traditional exorcist (Kattadiya) involved in the ritualistic excavation.

The charges against the former DIG include:

Aidin...