In a bid to curb the rising threats to archaeological sites, the Archaeology Department is planning to seek Defence Ministry approval to install security alarms and monitoring devices at such sites in the country. A senior official of the department said since the police alone could not counter treasure hunters and vandalism, the department had to take its own measures to protect archaeological sites regarded as national treasures.

A special police unit was established recently to counter the rising number of treasure hunting incidents especially after the Colombo Museum robbery. The unit has a branch in each province except the North and East. Some 220 treasure hunting incidents has taken place so far this year with about 150 cases being reported.

Most of the incidents had taken place in the Eastern Province, followed by the North Central and, North Western Provinces. Most of the incidents had taken place in the Eastern Province, followed by the North Central and North Western Provinces.

Source: Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka