Over 90 treasure hunts in 4 months

Special measures to protect archaeological treasures:

Disna MUDALIGE

Thefts of artifacts and pillaging of Sri Lanka’s historical and cultural sites have recorded a steep rise, prompting the Archaeology Department to take additional security measures to protect the country’s archaeological treasures, Archaeology Department Director General Dr Senarath Dissanayake said. He told the Daily News 93 artifact thefts and treasure hunts were reported during the first four months of this year .

The National Heritage Ministry in coordination with the Archaeology Department has planned a series of programmes with special emphasis on the protection of archaeological monuments and artifacts in the wake of recent treasure hunts and artifacts robberies which are on the rise in the country, Dr Dissanayake said.

He said a special programme will be launched with the coordination of the Police shortly to curb these illegal activities.

National Heritage Ministry Additional Secretary Vijitha Nanda Kumara said the ministry had requested the Inspector General of Police to assist the department to provide adequate security for heritage sites, museums and archeology reserves, adding the department’s human resources alone were insufficient for this task.

Archeology Department Director (Public) Deepal Wijethilake said a National Archaeology Day has been declared on July 9 and parallel to that a National Archaeological Week has been organized from July 7 to 13 under the theme ‘Let’s prevent the destruction of archaeological monuments’. He said public awareness programmes would be carried out throughout July aiming to increase public participation and contribution for the conservation of archaeological monuments and artifacts.

Three treasure hunters nabbed

Ariyapala Wansathilaka, Kurunegala spl cor

Alawwa Police arrested a watcher of an estate and two others hunting for treasure at the historical Raja Maha Viharaya.

Police took into custody a back hoe, iron bars, mammoties, lime and red cloth. The suspects are residents of Narammala and Giriulla, the police said. The suspects produced before Polgahawela magistrate Buddhika Ragala were remanded.