Former PC member arrested for stealing ancient stone pillars

A former Northern Provincial Councilor is among nine suspects arrested by police after allegedly removing ancient stone pillars from an archaeological site inside the Thannimurippuwewa Forest Reserve in Oddusuddan, Mullaitivu.

Police launched a raid yesterday following a tip-off that a group was engaged in digging at the archaeological site inside the Thannimurippuwewa Forest Reserve. They were able to arrest the suspects while they were transporting two large stone pillars that had allegedly been removed from the site. 

The arrested former PC member is the Vavuniya Organiser of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). Police said the suspect had removed the pillars with the aim of using them to build a plaque for himself, putting down his name and listing the services he had done in the Vavuniya area. 

Aside from the suspects, police also seized a car, a lorry and a lorry crane that had been used by them for the crime. 

The stone pillars are between 5 to 6 feet in height and seem to have ancient markings on them, police said. Further investigations are underway. 

By Romesh Madushanka