Sri Lanka, Oct. 27 -- Police arrested four individuals in two separate operations for conducting illegal excavations in search of archaeological artefacts in the Polonnaruwa and Kapugollewa areas.

In the Nuwarageyaya area of Diyabeduma, the Polonnaruwa Divisional Crime Investigation Unit apprehended three suspects early yesterday (26).

They were caught digging at the site with excavation tools and ritual items. The arrested, aged 20, 22, and 43, are residents of Puttalam and Aththanakadawala.

In a separate incident on the same day, Kapugollewa Police arrested a 65-year-old resident of Dutuwewa who was engaged in a similar illegal excavation, also found with tools and ritual objects.

All four suspects have been handed over to their res...