News
Is nothing sacred in our country?
View(s):Treasure hunting has been rampant in the recent months with even some of the well-known and historic temples not being spared. In one case reported to police this week, the famous Thotagamuwa Rajamaha Viharaya in the Meetiyagoda police area in Galle was robbed.
The spot where the pillow section of the reclining Buddha was located. It is believed to have contained treasure
Venerable Thotagamuwe Sri Rahula Thero -a literary giant who authored such famous literary works during the period 1430 to 1440 such as the Paravi Sandesaya, Selalihini Sandesaya and Kawyasekaraya- resided at this temple. Meetiyagoda police said they had commenced investigations into the thefts of relics from the temple following a complaint lodged by the Chief Incumbent of the temple the Ven. Pituwala Sumana Thera and head custodian I. D. Nandana.
The relics were stolen after thieves destroyed a hundred- year-old statue of a sleeping Buddha.The thieves who removed the pillow section of the statue took away the hidden treasure. Residents informed police, that three months earlier, thieves stole four golden fowls from a 500-year-old brass lamp from the temple.
Similar cases have been reported from a number of temples over the year.
Chief Incumbent of the temple the Ven. Pituwala Sumana Thera
Treasure hunters destroyed this 100-year-old statue to get at the treasure