Police scour CCTV footage for clues to Buddha statue attack

Police investigating the alleged attack on a Buddha statue in Mawanella has spent the past two days analysing CCTV footage from the area in search of clues. 

Officers from the State Intelligence Service (SIS) are also assisting the investigation. 

The glass covering protecting the chamber housing the Buddha statue next to the Dedimunda Devalaya at Hingula, had been broken, seemingly by an object thrown at the chamber. The incident is believed to have occurred late on the night of December 28 or in the early hours of December 29. 

Investigations are also continuing to trace the whereabouts of a large stock of explosives believed to have been stolen from a rock quarry in the Mawanella area. Police have briefed owners of all rock quarries in the area to be vigilent regarding the explosives at their sites and have also requested them to inform police immediately if anyone contacts them attempting to sell explosives. 

By Pradeep Kumara Dharmaratne