Treasure hunters ransack temple
July 2, 2012, 

By Padamasiri Gardiyawasam, Tangalle Corr

Treasure hunters have damaged Buddha statues and chetiya of the Hakuruwela Pihillawela Purana Rajamaha Viharaya in Weerakeitiya on Sunday (01) night.

They had demolished a side of the Chetiya and broken down the pinnacle (kotha) and taken it away with them, police said.

At the time the Chief incumbent of the temple had gone for a pirith chanting ceremony. The acolyte of the temple was found gagged and trussed up when the chief incumbent returned. Parts of the Buddha statues which had been demolished by the treasure hunters in search of valuable items deposited in them were scattered on the floor. The value of the treasure taken away could not be estimated, police said.

Weeraketiya police are conducting further investigations.