Man falls to death while trying to steal gem from Seenigama Devala statue

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana and Hemantha de Silva

Colombo, May 6 (Daily Mirror) - A man who tried to remove a precious stone fixed on the forehead of Devol Deviyo (deity) of ancient Seenigama Maha Devalaya, which is situated on an offshore islet in Seenigama, collapsed to his death last night.

The police found the victim’s body collapsed on the foot of the statue inside the ancient Devalaya on the islet when they opened the doors this morning.

The male who is yet to be identified was found only in his underwear and his face covered with a T-shirt as a mask.

It is suspected that the thief had swum to the islet last night and had broken into the Devalaya before climbing onto the statue to remove the precious stone.

However, while struggling to remove the jewel he had fallen from the statue and collapsed on the ground receiving fatal head injuries.

Meetiyagoda Police conducting investigations are monitoring the Devalaya CCTV cameras to further determine the nature of the incident.