Treasure hunters nabbed

Rafik JALALDEEN

Five treasure hunters were nabbed by police along with arms and equipment and a car on Tuesday evening in Thanthirimale area in Anuradhapura in the Wilpattu forest.

Police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunaskera said five suspects including a Home Guard were arrested by police when they were about to dig a treasure from Wilpattu forest on Tuesday around 4.45pm.

"Initially two treasure hunters were netted by the police in Thanthirimale area, acting on their information three another suspects including a home guard were arrested", he added.

Police seized equipment used for digging treasure, a car, a T56 assault riffle and four sticks of dynamite. The treasure hunters were residents of Divulapitiya, Mahavilachchiya, Negombo and Angoda. Anuradhapura police is investigating.