• The suspects were digging up a pit on land in Manaweriya area in Arachchikattuwa in search of a treasure

By Lalith Navaratne   

A member of the Chilaw UC representing Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, his two sons and three others from Jaffna and Kandy, had been taken into custody by Chilaw Crime Division.

• Police had seized the tools and equipment used by the suspects, the carcasses of two fowls killed as a sacrifice to the spirits, whom they believed, were guarding the treasure and trays of offerings

The Investigation Unit produced the suspects on suspicion of treasure hunting before Chilaw Magistrate and District Judge D.A.A. Buddhadasa and they were remanded till April 20.   

Police said the suspects were digging up a pit on land in Manaweriya area in Arachchikattuwa in search of a treasure when the Police carried out the raid on a tip off and arrested them.   

During the raid, Police had seized the tools and equipment used by the suspects, the carcasses of two fowls killed as a sacrifice to the spirits, whom they believed, were guarding the treasure and trays of offerings.   
The suspects and the case productions were handed over to the Chilaw Police for further action.   

A Police team under OIC Crime Investigation Unit IP Samansiri had carried out the raid on the instructions of SP Ranjith Wijeyawardene and SSP Lalith Rohana Gamage.