Treasure hunters fined Rs.4.5 million

Eighteen suspects who excavated historical sites in Ambanpola, Kurunegala, in search of treasures and other valuable artifacts, were fined Rs.4.5 million by Maho Magistrate T. Rathanayake, recently. The accused are residents of Kurunegela. Among the suspects was a police officer attached to the Ambanpola Police. The Police Department had ordered the services of that errant police officer be terminated with immediate effect. The raid was conducted on September 22 and the trial was held on November 27.

A senior police chief in Kurunegala told the Daily News that about 487 treasure hunters were arrested during the past 10 months in Kurunegala.