No treasure stolen from Kuda Sithulpawwa Stupa

COLOMBO (News 1st): No treasures have been stolen from the Kuda Sithulpawwa Stupa, the Director General of Archeology, Senior Professor Anura Manatunga says.

The Director General said that when the archaeologists inspected the area to close the hole dug near the Stupa, it was clear that the treasure hunters had not been able to seize the treasure.

He also said that the hole was made by inserting some chemical substance into the the Stupa with the intention of loosening its interior to retreive the treasure later.

Seven suspects have been arrested in connection with defacing the Kuda Sithulpawwa and are currently in remand custody.

Police also seized a safari jeep and a car along with the suspects, who were identified as residents of Tissamaharama.

The defacing of the Stupa had taken place on the 31 August and the Army personnel guarding the Sithulpawwa sacred area had informed the police about the illegal act, who managed to capture one suspect.

The other suspects had fled the scene and six suspects were later arrested in connection with the incident.

The small Sithulpawwa Stupa is located at a distance of about 190 meters from the Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya at the Yala National Park.