Drug addicts steal millions worth of accessories from Kelaniya Bridge, highways

Incurring a loss of Rs 275 million

14 July 2023 11:43 pm - 32 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Police personnel were stationed near panel boards at Kelani Bridge and highways after a string of thefts that took place recently incurring a loss of Rs 275 million, Director General of the Road Development Authority L.V.S. Weerakoon said today.

This was revealed in a news briefing held today (14) where he said the losses caused due to the removal of such accessories on the New Kelani Bridge, Katunayake, Central and Southern expressways had been estimated at a sum of approximately Rs. 275 million.

"As a result of the damage done to the cable system on the Katunayake Expressway, we are unable to provide lights on a stretch of 13 kilometres along the expressway.

“The damage caused to the Katunayake Expressway and the New Kelani Bridge has been estimated Rs. 250 million and Rs. 25 million respectively," he added.

When asked who was responsible for these activities, Weerakoon said according to police, the majority of them are drug addicts living around the respective areas, adding that police had arrested some of the suspects and so far recovered accessories worth Rs. 4.5 million.

He also said the stolen accessories had been sold to nearby shops. (Sheain Fernandopulle)

Comments - 32

Chryshan Saturday, 15 July 2023 12:01 AM

Why do we always close the stable door after the horse has bolted. Either stupidity or ignorance or both.

Mahadana Mutta Saturday, 15 July 2023 12:26 AM

Haha. Everyone blame the 225 but the most in Sri Lanka and Lankans living abroad are rogues and so much full of hatred and worst things than then 225 lot. Well, 225 is also goes there from the same lot. So everyone will be the same at the end.

Cannot have Expressways that are not able to be maintained Saturday, 15 July 2023 12:31 AM

It is not drug addicts, but the massive amount of poor people who do the thefts. Government trying to cover up the true cause, the poor who live nearby, rather than drug addicts. Of course the poor are organised criminals as well. All this because of the poor culture in the nation, which keeps the poor always underfoot. Once the racquet is known about where it happened the Expressways elsewhere will also be plundered.

Ranil Saturday, 15 July 2023 01:28 AM

Have addicts stolen the CCTV camera's as well. At this rate, even the IGP might lose his underware to drug addicts

Fakeidiot Saturday, 15 July 2023 02:36 AM

One day they come and tell that the bridge was also stolen. Idiotic police and those who supervise.. may be these were stolen by them — 275 million was stolen in one day ? Was it gold ??

Tissa Fernando Saturday, 15 July 2023 04:55 AM

Laughable story. This was probably done with the help of those who are responsible for the maintenance of these places. Only they know what to remove. If these items were sold yo nearby shops then confiscate these items ,let the shop owner face the losses. This will discourage saleability of these items.

It was well organised crime from criminal elsewhere which will continue on Sunday, 16 July 2023 06:09 PM

Of course, like most Sri Lankan claims, and ideas, total fabrication. Of course, security look the other way for bribe for it to happen. Blaming drug addicts is way to cover up for the organised crime.

Roger Halliday Saturday, 15 July 2023 05:09 AM

The head of the RDA . I as a citizen would like to know what steps you have taken to prevent these thefts that has run upto millions. Surely you could have put in a security system in place to stop it. But I guess your answer will be who cares its not my money

Mohan Saturday, 15 July 2023 05:32 AM

Should also arrest those shop owners who bought stolen items.

Arun vasanthakumar beadle Saturday, 15 July 2023 06:05 AM

Robbing 275 mn is not in a day . This crime has hapened during aperiod of time The supervising officers merchant s who purchased the stolen items and the drug addicts need to be punished by iaw.

DBS Lumbini Saturday, 15 July 2023 06:05 AM

Are they all drug addicts ? When people cannot afford for basic needs, these thefts happen. Parliament thieves and jokers have no problem.

ravin Saturday, 15 July 2023 06:08 AM

The biggest question is why haven't authorities take steps regarding security concerns. Specially we are not very far away after 30year civil conflict.

Mahila Saturday, 15 July 2023 06:22 AM

Drug Addicts - Scumbags - Anything for DOSE!!!??

Gaston Saturday, 15 July 2023 07:16 AM

So this justifies why RDA increased the highway tolls. The earlier Karunataka Highway 250/- is now 400/-. RDA earns money, yet could not deploy security as this theft couldn't have been done over a day. Meaning no daily maintenance inspections carried out ?

ala Saturday, 15 July 2023 07:40 AM

This may have happened gradually. What was the police doing? Sleeping?

CDD Saturday, 15 July 2023 07:40 AM

Why police do not see people's movement at strange hours around this area ?

Highway robbery Saturday, 15 July 2023 08:08 AM

Stealing, lying, deception is a fast spreading contagious disease in Sri Lanka which is proven to have started from Head of the country down to other parliamentarians, senior public officers and general public as well. Furthermore, its so much so bad the situation is, that even the menacing drug addicts had developed it up to Highway Robbery. Must treat it from the beginning.

Ganesh Saturday, 15 July 2023 08:11 AM

Same goes for old government flats, where drug addicts are stealing the copper Electrical Earthing Cable. Electrical cables and the metal is easily sold to scrap dealers to fuel their addictions.

Don Rienzie Saturday, 15 July 2023 08:20 AM

The authorities mobilise the security forces fo a simple demonstration by aggrevated citizens but they were not being able to use the same security personeel to important points such as this.

Jude Saturday, 15 July 2023 08:35 AM

These addicts should be motivated to eleminate the corrupt politicians!! Yeah.

Zaza Saturday, 15 July 2023 08:50 AM

System Change only way out. What a struggle we had in the appointment of IGP. Very soon super highway will be Bottle Kade,

Sarath Saturday, 15 July 2023 08:57 AM

Clear the shanties for a 1Km radius of these bridges

Ray Silva Saturday, 15 July 2023 09:12 AM

Blaming drug addicts sounds very convenient, Looks like planed daylight robbery by big fish!! People responsible must be answerable ! Again nothing will be done as usual... tragic nation..

Horu Saturday, 15 July 2023 09:47 AM

People who possess stolen public goods should be held in prison until the court case is heard

wsw Saturday, 15 July 2023 10:32 AM

A true reflection of the state of the nation and it's citizens, where most, thrive on dishonesty, manipulation, negativity, envy, selfishness, laziness and hatred. They are off course, champions of passing the buck and blaming others. The term 'Collective Responsibility' is scarcely embraced or practiced in our society. Irony is, most unsuspecting foreigners believe Lankans are innocent souls with a beautiful smile.

jbapayo@gmail.com Saturday, 15 July 2023 10:36 AM

Somebody mentioned of scrap iron vendors! This is a very good starting point for investigation. We don't have iron in our soil. But we export used iron regularly to India as scrap iron. Are we plucking iron from trees? These scrap iron collectors go around with a hand cart and have nothing to lose.

sacre blieu Saturday, 15 July 2023 11:22 AM

This is how the country and economy was managed and run. and , most likely be continued to be run.

dickie bird Saturday, 15 July 2023 05:12 PM

What were the security employed and deployed doing>? recover the losses from the security firms and deal severely those dealing with stolen property.

Are you not seeing the elephant in the room about why security unaware Sunday, 16 July 2023 06:10 PM

If you are Sri Lankan, you'd realise the security are getting a cut. Police are corrupt too, so blaming a few drug addicts or those who will not pay bribe is the obvious outcome.

Das Saturday, 15 July 2023 06:19 PM

Seems some officials

VJ Saturday, 15 July 2023 06:28 PM

Mohan is correct, one of the reasons they are stealing is because there is a market for such goods.

Palitha delivera Sunday, 16 July 2023 05:05 AM

Why doesn’t the law be strictly enforced to punish the vendors who receive stolen goods, whatever they may be. They should be sentenced to the rock quarry’s to hand cut the stone.

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Drug addicts steal millions worth of accessories from Kelaniya Bridge, highways

Incurring a loss of Rs 275 million

Comments - 32

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