Treasure hunting in Wandurawa: Geologist requests people not to depend on mythology

• Says in his view, individuals hunting for treasures are only cheating themselves

By Chamil Rupasinghe

Referring to the recent controversy over alleged buried treasure near the Central Expressway construction site in the Wandurawa area of Veyangoda over the weekend, Professor of Geology at Peradeniya University Atula Senaratne said people should not depend on mythology and resort to futile exercises.   

 He said that it is not possible to say definitely whether any property offered to the temples have been enshrined in the Cheithiyas or in the shrines, but it is not possible to bury them as treasures at a depth of 40-50 feet beneath the earth and to have them covered with melted rocks.   

He told the media that there had never been any technology of melting or pasting rocks in the past or at present.   

 Replying to a query regarding the speculations on a treasure buried under the expressway reservation at Wandurawa in Veyangoda Prof. Senaratne said it was not possible to have a treasure buried at the depth between 40-50ft underground.   

“Geologists focus attention on an archaeological survey only on the request of archeologists. Signs of decaying rocks could perhaps lead to a misunderstanding that there exist a treasure and it would result in a massive waste of money, labour and time if attempted to dig up. Digging up a treasure at Wandurawa area is an eye opener to treasure hunters.”  

“There may or may not be treasures buried underground in temple sites or in Cheithiyas but I am not an archaeologist to be in a position to express a definite view about it. Although the people believe in treasures buried underground the chances of it being there are few. In my view the individuals hunting for treasures are only cheating themselves,” he said.   

 I, as a geologist in the field for more than 40 years, had often pointed out that the people should not depend on mythology and resort to futile exercises,” Prof. Senaratne further said.