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Bizarre vanishing of museum artifacts
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As many as 221 artifacts including old coins dating back to Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa eras, ancient swords and the belt worn by Nugawela Adikaram, had disappeared last year after an exhibition conducted at the Colombo National Museum, Parliament was informed recently.
The annual report of the National Heritage Ministry, presented to the House last week, detailed out the items stolen from the central lobby of the upper floor of the Museum after the exhibition held on March 16, 2012.
The items thus stolen were listed out as 66 gold coins belonging to the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa eras, three gold ceremonial coins, two Mohammedan silver coins, a necklace with gold Panam coins, 40 silver coins that belonged to the Kandy period, ten silver coins, nine led coins with scripts, 42 currency notes issued after 1942, five swords with scabbards 18/19 centuries), three swords without scabbards(18/19 centuries), 18 rings made of gold, silver and braze, 18 rings made of gold, silver and carnelian seal with a female figure embossed in it, two walking sticks and the belt worn by Nugawela Adikaram (made of green colour fabric and embroidered with gold threads).
Among these items, the sword of Nugawela Adikaram was a unique one. Its handle was carved with the picture of a snarling lion. The blade had been made of steel. It was 65 centimeters long. The sheath of the sword had a decorative flower design.
The upper part of the walking stick stolen was 23 centimeters long. It was made of silver, and studded with faceted stones of different colours. Nugawela Adikaram’s four-foot walking stick made of low quality gold had also gone missing.
The lost rings made of gold and silver were studded with blue, yellow and pink sapphires.
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