Powerful person linked to Govt. behind vandalizing Valli Matha Devale

Vandalism started in 2017. Villagers complained about it. Yet, the law was not implemented. Later, a Buddhist monk and a few others involved in treasure hunting were nabbed

Chief Sanganayake of Ramanna Nikaya Dr. Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera said ‘ancient Valli Matha Devale’ of Kataragama which is a site revered by Buddhists and Hindus, had been vandalized. He said a lot of excavations had been done at the site, and the e arth trucked away.

He said this was an affront to religious cohabitation. “As Buddhist monks, we see this as a grave tragedy. There is a powerful person with links to the government behind this treasure hunting. The perpetrators are so powerful that they have managed to transfer the judge who was hearing this case,” he said.

He said the government was establishing special courts to uphold the rule of law. “Yet, in our country, the situation is not conducive even for a judge from a lower court to discharge his duties. It is reflected in the manner in which the judge of Tissamaharama court who heard cases related to vandalism of ancient monuments was transferrred,” he said. He said this site had been declared as an archaeological site in the gazette.

“Vandalism started in 2017. Villagers complained about it. Yet, the law was not implemented. Later, a Buddhist monk and a few others involved in treasure hunting were nabbed,” he said.

Thera said suspect monk and several others were taken into custody only after the people informed about the treasure hunting to the “Neethi Sakthi Padanama” Till then Katharagama OIC was inactive and the officials of the archaeological unit had even issued documents to protect the treasure hunters.

Thera questioned about the non enforcement of law against those destroying ancient archaeological monuments and sites. He also warned about possible misinterpretation of the robbery of treasure at this place by extremists as action by Sinhala people in South as the Devalaya also regarded as having Hindu origin. And he also brought this important issue to the notice of the President, Prime Minister and Minister of law and order. Speaking at the event Attorney- at-law Sunil R.DE Silva said police had failed to take action against the treasure hunters due to the interference of some influential individuals. They have failed to file a case under Criminal procedure against the police for not enforcing the law in this matter. A resident of Sella Katharagama G. Susantha also spoke and elaborated details about treasure hunting being carried-out in the ancient cave.