Mahaweli officials accused of trying to give historic rock to granite quarry

Buddhist monks and area residents in Kekirawa, Anuradhapura are alleging that a group of Mahaweli officials in the area are trying to hand over a historic rock covering nearly 30 acres to a granite quarry. 

A group of residents, led by the Chief Incumbent of the Madatugama Kotagala Piyangalu Rajamaha Vihara, Ven. Kuda Kathnoruwe Sidaththa Thera, claimed that local Mahaweli officials were engaged in a conspiracy to allow the rock, known as 'Berathebu Gala' to be used as a granite quarry. 

They note that the rock has three caves and claim that it has also been used in ancient times to bury treasures. 

The residents and the monk pointed out that treasure hunters had already blasted various parts of the rock over the years in search of the treasures said to have been buried there. 

The group told journalists that they suspect that the granite quarry is simply a front for an organized attempt to hunt for treasure. 

When contacted, the area Mahaweli Authority office confirmed that a request had been made to set up a granite quarry at the rock. 

Text and Pix by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa