Treasure hunters have vandalized the dagaba and robbed treasures from an ancient temple at Welangahawela in Angunakolapelessa.
The temple is an ancient sylvan shrine known as Welangahawela Purana Raja Maha Viharaya.
According to chronicles it has been built by King Mahanaga.
A 9-foot-deep hole has been dug in the Vihara Chaitya and the valuables removed leaving four caskets turned out of clay, the Angunakolapelessa police told.
The Viharadhipathi Welangahamula Purana Raja Maha Viharaya had not been at the temple when the incident took place, OIC Angunakolapelessa police W. K. K. Sunil Santha said.
