Watcher nabbed in vihare robbery

A watcher has been arrested in connection with the burglary at the Lankatilleke Raja Maha Vihare in the Udunuwara electorate and has been remanded by Kandy Additional Magistrate Ms. G.P.S.Ranasinghe.

The suspect is to face an identification parade at the Chief Magistrate's Court, while a crowbar allegedly used in the burglary has also been recovered in the Vihare premises. Statements have been recorded from the mechanic who turned out the crowbar.

Lankatilleke Raja Maha Vihare has been burgled for the fifth time, but the thieves have not been able to break into the security safe where priceless crystal Buddha statues and other religious valuables are kept. They had tried to break open the safe but had failed in the attempt.

The safe had been a gift to the then Malwatta Chapter Mahanayake Ven. Amunugama Rajagure Vipassi Thera by Lord Soulbury on the day the Thera was appointed the Anunayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter. According to the Police the robbers had tried to prise the eyes of the sedentary Buddha statue, thinking the eyes must be gems. Failing in their attempt, they are alleged to have removed the two Buddha statues said to be built during the reign of King Buvanekabahu.

However Inspector R.M.S.B.Senanayke of Daulagala Police under whose jurisdiction the Vihare comes had made the arrest though in the previous cases no arrests had been made. The incumbent Thera said that he had written to various authorities for protection of the Vihare, but nothing has come of it.