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Dambulla cave temple vandalised
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Investigations are underway to arrest a group of unidentified individuals who caused damage to ancient Buddha statues, paintings and stone inscriptions (sel lipi) at the Dambulla cave temple. The suspects had vandalized the site by scribbling in Sinhalese and English on the religious artefacts.
The Chief Incumbent of the Dambulla Raja Maha Viharaya, Inamaluwe Sri Sumangala Thera lodged a complaint with the Dambulla police yesterday over the incident. In his complaint, the priest had told the police that the act of vandalism had been committed while he was overseas seeking medical treatment.
He said he suspects those who committed the crime were aware that the CCTV system at the location had been rendered inoperative by lightning.
The chief priest had also expressed deep regret that the incident had occurred despite officials from the Department of Archaeology being on duty at the site. He has urged police to investigate to ascertain whether this was an isolate act of vandalism or an organised action by a group.
Pix By Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa