Kumar Moses

LTTE remnants vehemently protested when Department of Archaeology recommenced archaeological excavations in the North and the East. Sensing the revelation of the truth about their bogus racist homeland claims, they tried every trick in the book to stop it. And they failed. Although many comforted themselves to think that it was the end of it, found that terrorists employed a new method to achieve the same end result. Treasure hunters have been contracted by LTTE remnants to destroy all traces of ancient Sri Lankan monuments. Once these are destroyed, they plan to use suicide bomber memorials as only remaining ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”ancientƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ cultural artefacts in an attempt to convince them that the myth of Tamil Homelands is true.

It was reported on June 6^th that ten vandals were arrested by the police on suspicion of treasure hunting in the Girihadu Seya Chaithya premise in the Trincomalee district in Thiriyaya. Girihadu Seya is the nationƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s first pagoda, which was built enshrining a lock of Buddha’s hair while he was alive. Some estimates suggest that it was built even before Buddhism formally arrived in the island.

LTTE Terrorists destroyed most of it in their attempt to claim a Tamil Homeland in the area and now their paid contractors are trying to complete the job. To ensure decay and destruction, LTTE forcibly evicted all Sinhala dwellers in the area. However, even the LTTE didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t fall into the low level of robbing the contents of the historical construction.

In another incident, three criminals were arrested who were treasure hunting in a rock in Pachchanur area near Muttur, Trincomalee.

In a third incident an intelligence team from the Eastern Naval Command arrested two terrorists carrying 51 gelignite sticks and 200 detonators in Nilaveli, Trincomalee. They too were on a similar mission. Use of gelignite in destroying historical sites is common around the world. Al Qaeda terrorists used a similar substance in 2001 to destroy historical Bahamian Buddhist statues. Their sinful adventure lasted only a couple of months when US troops gave them a thumping response from which the terrorists never recovered. Sri Lanka has a bigger responsibility to protect its own treasures. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Number of terror attacks on isolated religious shrines with immense archaeological value grew rapidly hitting headlines. Unfortunately, these incidents are reported almost on a weekly basis now. It is difficult to apprehend the mentality of these voracious lowlifes who would not hesitate to destroy religious sites. They must be captured and punished. Punishment for damaging or causing mischief to archaeological sites must increase drastically. Preferably culprits should be given life terms in order to deter others. Sri Lanka must stand firm and tell them that their swine behaviour is totally unacceptable as it is barbaric and uncivilised to destroy historical sites, especially sites with religious values. LTTE remnants behind this racket should be apprehended and punished under the PTA.

Security must be provided to all historical sites at all times. In the long term, the government must have a plan to protect them. Resettling people of all communities in these areas is the most effective way to ensure the safety and wellbeing of historical sites. If Sri Lankans are serious about bringing back the glory of the great Anuradhapura and Pollonnaruwa eras, the first priority would be to cause a reawakening of economic, religious and cultural activity in the North and the East, the Sri Lankan way. The example set by the Father of the Nation in Gal Oya must be emulated throughout the North and the East. Presence of a highly disciplined and skilled army in the region is certainly a big plus factor which must be used to the maximum to regain lost ancient glory.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

LTTE remnants vehemently protested when Department of Archaeology recommenced archaeological excavations in the North and the East. Sensing the revelation of the truth about their bogus racist homeland claims, they tried every trick in the book to stop it. And they failed. Although many comforted themselves to think that it was the end of it, found that terrorists employed a new method to achieve the same end result. Treasure hunters have been contracted by LTTE remnants to destroy all traces of ancient Sri Lankan monuments. Once these are destroyed, they plan to use suicide bomber memorials as only remaining ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”ancientƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ cultural artefacts in an attempt to convince them that the myth of Tamil Homelands is true.

It was reported on June 6^th that ten vandals were arrested by the police on suspicion of treasure hunting in the Girihadu Seya Chaithya premise in the Trincomalee district in Thiriyaya. Girihadu Seya is the nationƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s first pagoda, which was built enshrining a lock of Buddha’s hair while he was alive. Some estimates suggest that it was built even before Buddhism formally arrived in the island.

LTTE Terrorists destroyed most of it in their attempt to claim a Tamil Homeland in the area and now their paid contractors are trying to complete the job. To ensure decay and destruction, LTTE forcibly evicted all Sinhala dwellers in the area. However, even the LTTE didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t fall into the low level of robbing the contents of the historical construction.

In another incident, three criminals were arrested who were treasure hunting in a rock in Pachchanur area near Muttur, Trincomalee.

In a third incident an intelligence team from the Eastern Naval Command arrested two terrorists carrying 51 gelignite sticks and 200 detonators in Nilaveli, Trincomalee. They too were on a similar mission. Use of gelignite in destroying historical sites is common around the world. Al Qaeda terrorists used a similar substance in 2001 to destroy historical Bahamian Buddhist statues. Their sinful adventure lasted only a couple of months when US troops gave them a thumping response from which the terrorists never recovered. Sri Lanka has a bigger responsibility to protect its own treasures. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Number of terror attacks on isolated religious shrines with immense archaeological value grew rapidly hitting headlines. Unfortunately, these incidents are reported almost on a weekly basis now. It is difficult to apprehend the mentality of these voracious lowlifes who would not hesitate to destroy religious sites. They must be captured and punished. Punishment for damaging or causing mischief to archaeological sites must increase drastically. Preferably culprits should be given life terms in order to deter others. Sri Lanka must stand firm and tell them that their swine behaviour is totally unacceptable as it is barbaric and uncivilised to destroy historical sites, especially sites with religious values. LTTE remnants behind this racket should be apprehended and punished under the PTA.