Two Avalokitheshwara statues, considered to be very ancient and valuable, were seized by Dikwella Police while being illegally transported by two persons.

Following a sudden police check on Mahawela Road in Dikwella, the statues had been found stowed in a gunny bag and transported in a trishaw. Two trishaw passengers had been arrested in connection with the crime. Each statue is about 40 centimetres in height and weighs about 35 kilograms. Mr. Janaka Kariyawasam the Research Officer of the Galle Archaeological Provincial Office examined the statues at the Dikwella Police Station and said that the composition of the alloy used in the statues would be announced after laboratory analysis.  The suspects who are residents of Dodampahala were released on police bail. Lalith Gunasinghe, OIC Dikwella Police conducted the raid.