Treasure hunters attempted to steal valuable artefacts from historic places in the country and nearly 1,598 such cases have been reported to the police countrywide this year.
Nearly 560 suspects were arrested including bhikkhus, public servants, businessmen and vandals, former Assistant Director of the Archeological Department of the Kurunegala District A. M. Jayasooriya told the Sunday Observer.
He said at present 1,200 security personnel have been deployed at leading historic places of worship countrywide and the Ministry of Culture will take stern legal action against the treasure hunters.
Jayasooriya said 143 ancient gold Buddha statues excavated from treasure sites in forests, 3,487 gold and silver coins of olden days of royal kings, tools, vessels and swords of royal kings have been seized and the suspects arrested by officers of the Archaeological Department and the Police. An additional 400 police personnel will be deployed from next month to nab those who steal valuable artefacts, he added.
