Monkey helps foil treasure hunters

COLOMBO (News 1st); Recently, treasure hunters were arrested in the Mihinthale Sacred Grounds, and authorities claim that they were able to capture them due to the behaviour of a monkey.

Since the 31st of August, personnel from the Department of Archaeology had the ancient Katu-Seya under surveillance.

Manjula Rasnayake, the Mihintale Zonal Officer for the Department of Archeology, said when personnel were engaged in a surveillance operation they noticed a monkey, that was distracted towards something else.

Susantha Kumara, the Archaeological Assistant echoed on the same noting that it was evident that the troop of monkeys were distracted and did not run away at the sight of personnel from the archaeology department.

"Instead of looking at us, they (Monkeys) were looking at the cave. Then we saw someone walking. I said let's be quiet and see what is happening. Immediately another person was seen walking behind. I understood that a suspicious group is here," he said.

The suspects were detained and produced at the Anuradhapura Magistrate's Court, and were remanded till the 15th of this month.

Ven. Kassapa Thero, from the National Bhikku Front urged the people to remain vigilant on treasure hunters and stressed some of these acts take place with state patronage.