Wellawaya Police arrest 12 treasure hunters

A group of 12 suspected treasure hunters including a woman was arrested by the Wellawaya Police during a raid carried out in a jungle in Andawelayaya. The suspects from Panadura and Wellawaya were between 24 and 50 years of age. During the raid the police seized tools and equipment used by the suspects and the trays of offerings intended for the guarding deities.

Investigations revealed that one of the suspects was an Asst. Manager of a state bank and the mastermind behind the racket.

Police said the woman arrested was the exorcist who performed the religious rites and poojas to the spirits whom they believed, were guarding the treasure. She had threatened the police that she would use an evil spell to bring about a curse on them if she and others were arrested.

A police team under OIC Wellawaya police IP C.p. gunasekara had carried out the raid on a tip- off received from the public.