Treasure hunting ASP and other officers:

IGP orders stern action

Sarath Malalasekera

Inspector General of Police Mahinda Balasuriya yesterday said that he ordered Anuradhapura Senior DIG Jayantha Gamage to interdict the ASP and the seven Police constables who are alleged to have been involved in treasure hunting and to take stern disciplinary and legal actions against the suspects.

The ASP, seven PCs and two wealthy businessmen of Polonnaruwa who were taken into custody by the Polonnaruwa Police in connection with treasure hunting were later produced before Polonnaruwa Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Ruwan Sisirakumara and remanded till October 4.

The Polonnaruwa Police arrested the suspects while hunting for treasures at the Dimbulagala Siripura Suriyadeva Raja Maha Viharaya in the early hours of Monday. Senior DIG Jayaewntha Gamage is directing investigations assisted by Anuradhapura Senior SP Cyril Fernando, Anuradhapura ASP MJ Karunaratne and the Polonnaruwa Police.