Tuesday, June 19, 2018 - 01:00
STF officers at the excavation site. Picture by K. D. Devapriya, Kataragama Roving Corr.
Three suspects found carrying out illicit excavation activities at the Kataragama Sri Vallia Viharaya grounds in search of artifacts, were arrested by Police Special Task Force (STF) officers on June 17 afternoon. Police said the suspects were carrying out excavations inside the Valli cave at the time of arrest.
Several excavation equipment were also seized from the site. The suspects were later handed over to the Kataragama Police for necessary legal action.
The Archaeology Department had prohibited excavations at the viharaya premises, which is believed to be the birth place of deity Valli according to folklore.
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