Treasure hunters hunted down

Nimal WIJESINGHE -Anuradhapura Additional district group corr.

A team of wildlife departmental conservation officials headed by the Mahaweli zonal wildlife assistant director Sisira Kumara de Silva arrested four persons allegedly engaged in unearthing a valuable treasure in Kawudulla National sanctuary.

An eco-tourism assistant, two wild-life conservation guards and two volunteer guides all attached to the Wild life Conservation Department are among the suspects.

Wildlife Assistant Director Sisira Kumara de Silva told the Daily News that the suspects were remanded till February 26 when they produced before the Polonnaruwa Magistrate Indika Sehan Attanayake.

A large number of equipment were found in the scene. Evidence taken in to custody by the officials were two large generators, a grinder, a drilling machine, two sledge hammers, two crow-bars, two platinum brand motor cycles, two wire rolls, torches, two mammoties, a knife and 16 empty fertiliser bags.

The raiding team consisted of conservative guards, K.A.G.G. Nilantha Kumara, L.M.C. Bandara, Darshana Bandara, C.A. Wanasinghe, Eco-tourism assistant Indika Kumara and the volunteer guides namely, Roshan Chandana, Dumindha Wasantha Kumara, W.W. Dharmathunga and Kasun Asanga, all attached to the Wildlife Department.

The Assistant Director said that two months ago a group of treasure hunters later disguised as Army Officers were apprehended by wildlife sleuths while they were engaging in unearthing a treasure in the same area.