The excavation operation carried out in Wandurawa, Veyangoda, to search for a rumored treasure ended at 4 p.m. today, after three days of digging by various government agencies. The investigation, ordered by the Attanagalla Magistrate’s Court, aimed to address suspicions of hidden treasure in the swampy area near the Central Expressway under construction.
The excavation work began on Friday following concerns raised by the Veyangoda Police over repeated illegal digging at the site, which was reportedly compromising the foundation of the expressway. Despite these warnings, treasure hunters continued to dig, prompting authorities to act.
Officials from the Department of Archaeology, the Geology and Mines Bureau, the Road Development Authority, and the Mirigama Divisional Secretariat led the excavation, with the Public present to witness the process. The first day of excavation was hampered by rain, but a large stone was uncovered on the second day. Authorities brought in a crane to remove the stone, but the operation was halted as the stone could not be lifted. On the third day, the stone was broken into pieces and crushed in front of the crowd, but no treasure or valuable artifacts were discovered.
The excavation was carried out under strict court orders, with the permission granted for only two days. After the two-day period expired, the Attanagalla Magistrate’s Court extended the excavation by one more day, following a request by the Veyangoda Police. However, after the final attempts to unearth any treasure proved unsuccessful, the excavation was officially concluded.
Despite the failure to locate any treasure, the authorities have emphasized that the operation was necessary due to the ongoing illegal excavations at the site. In the past, several individuals were arrested for engaging in unlawful digging in search of treasure, which raised serious concerns about the safety of the construction work on the Central Expressway.
The Director General of Archaeology confirmed that no archaeological artifacts or valuable treasures were found during the operation, reiterating that the excavation site held no historical or cultural significance.
The Veyangoda Police are now preparing a report for the Attanagalla Magistrate’s Court, detailing the results of the excavation and further actions to be taken. The public, who had gathered in large numbers to witness the operation, began dispersing as the excavation concluded.
This incident reflects ongoing concerns over treasure hunting in Sri Lanka, with several similar cases of illegal excavation over the years, often driven by rumors of hidden wealth in various parts of the country. The government has now promised to step up measures to prevent such activities and ensure the integrity of public infrastructure projects.
