Six taken in over alleged treasure hunt

Six suspects were taken into custody on suspicion of digging up a pit in the ancient Bodhi in the Muttettuwegam Sri Bodhimalakarama ground in search of a treasure, the Police said.

They were produced before Balangoda Acting Magistrate Sunil Jayasena and were remanded till May 10.

Investigations revealed that the Chief Incumbent Thera’s father, a brother and a former member of the Nivithigala Pradeshiya Sabha, were among those arrested.

Police said the residents believed that a treasure had been buried there during the reign of Sinhala kings.

“They stated that they were trenching to erect a protective wall of the Bodhi, but they were silent when questioned why there wasn’t any member of the Dayaka Sabha or any villager to help,” a spokesman for the Police said.

A senior Police officer said they rang the bell and summoned the villagers including the office bearers of the Dayaka Sabha, who accused the Chief Incumbent of the temple of treasure hunting, with the help of a group of individuals from other area.

He said four suspects were arrested first and the Chief Incumbent of the temple was arrested on Magistrate’s order for aiding and abetting.

A Police team under SI W.K.B Laurence carried out the raid on the instructions of Actg. OIC Balangoda Police IP Hapugahawatte.