A kastane ( ceremonial sword unique to Sri Lanka), two rings, a carnelian gemstone with a miniature carving of a female figure, some currency notes and small grain-like semi-precious stones are among the recovered artefacts that were robbed from the Colombo National Museum on March 16, a museum official told the Sunday Times. However around [...]

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Stolen artefacts: Museum superintendent and police spokesman give different versions

By Wasantha Ramanayake
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A kastane ( ceremonial sword unique to Sri Lanka), two rings, a carnelian gemstone with a miniature carving of a female figure, some currency notes and small grain-like semi-precious stones are among the recovered artefacts that were robbed from the Colombo National Museum on March 16, a museum official told the Sunday Times.

However around 10 currency notes belonging to the British colonial era, 146 coins, including 96 gold and 46 silver ones, seven gold plated kastanes, including the one used by Kandyan Chieftan Nugawela Adikaram, three gem-studded walking sticks and a belt made out of golden threads also used by the chieftain were still missing, Museum Superintendent Ranjith Hewage said.

“By far the most important recovery was the carnelian gemstone with the miniature carving of a female figure, that belonged to the first century AD,” he said, adding that there were only two such stones in the museum collection.
However, in contrast to the museum Superintendent’s figures, Police Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said two thirds of the stolen artifacts had been recovered.

He also refused to comment on whether or the not the Police had put together the missing pieces in the jigsaw puzzle of the robbery since the main suspect is at large, adding that if he divulged details it would hamper the investigations.
The police spokesman said the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) investigating the robbery was on the hunt for the main suspect Lansage Priyantha, an alleged drug addict, who reportedly broke into the museum.

Meanwhile, National Heritage Ministry secretary S. Karunaratne said they were still awaiting an update on the status of the ongoing investigation, adding that they only received an initial report from the Museum relating to the missing items.
An officer from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has recorded a statement from Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) leader Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera who had expressed doubts about the Police claim that the main suspect was a drug addict as he believed such a person could not have planned such a meticulous robbery. The Thera had also commented on certain media reports that cast aspersions on the involvement of a political big-wig.

“I told the officer I did not have any specific evidence except for what was reported in the media. But I told him that we are now keeping an eye on how the Police investigations are going.”

However, the CID officer had assured him that the culprits would be found and all the artefacts recovered soon, the Thera added.
In a related development the Colombo Chief Magistrate Rashmi Singappuli on Monday ordered the further detention of three suspects who were arrested in connection with the museum robbery.

The CCD had requested court to further detain the three suspects- two women and a three-wheeler driver who were arrested in the Grandpass area by the Piliyandala police on August 20. They have been further remanded till Ocober 1.

Any information?

Police are seeking public  assistance to arrest Lansage Priyantha Mendis, the alleged main suspect in the robbery.
The public can call police on 0772,117,620 0773,291,500 0770,888,539 and 0783,862,214.




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