Archeology Director General Prof.Thusitha Mendis says that it is a complete myth that great precious ancient treasures are buried in the earth.
“The Archeology Department has carried out excavations all over Sri Lanka. In no case did the Department unearth such valuable treasures of great financial value. Some items with archaeological value have been found in these excavations. Although they have no monetary value, they have priceless archaeological value. Important information about the history of this land can be found in various places in the form of monuments, deposits and other structures. Don’t destroy them. Our history can be carried forward into the future only if these are preserved. “We kindly request from people not to go after these myths and destroy our cultural heritage,” he has said.
Mendis has also said some people are following the myth based on talks about ‘Nidan Wadula’ (ancient documents that are said to contain details of where treasures are buried) written after the 18th century.
Meanwhile, excavations done on court orders at a site in Wewagedara, have revealed nothing but stone blocks which were later broken into smaller pieces using a drilling machine.
Over the course of three days, excavations were conducted under a Court order and concluded without unearthing any foreign or valuable artefacts. The excavations took place near the Wandurawa Rajamaha Viharaya on paddy land taken over for the construction of the Central Expressway.
Although the two-day excavation, initially ordered by court on November 11, could not be completed on 21 and 22, police secured an extension to continue work on a third day. On the 23rd, by 1:15 pm, the collected stones were inspected by officers of the Police Special Task Force (STF). Their specialised equipment also failed to detect any significant findings.
(Excerpts : dailynews.lk)
