The Chief Incumbent of the Deepaloka Viharaya in Ingiriya has been arrested over an assassination attempt.
The Police said the 49-year-old monk was arrested by the Panadura Divisional Crime Detective Bureau.
Investigations have revealed that he had conspired to assassinate the Deputy Incumbent of the temple.
The Police said further investigations have revealed that a dispute over the ownership of the temple had remained between the two parties for over 3-years.
The Chief Incumbent of the temple had therefore conspired with a driver of the temple to assassinate the Deputy incumbent of the temple.
The suspect had provided the driver with Rs. 1.1 million to carry out the assassination.
The Police said the driver is evading arrest, while the suspect will be produced in court today. (NewsWire)