Probe launched into missing paintings at Art Gallery: Minister

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera 

Colombo, May 21 (Daily Mirror) - An investigation has been launched into the dissarearance of 42 invaluable ancient paintings which had been kept at the National Art Gallery, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Sunil Senevi said today.

He told Parliament that a physical verification survey conducted in 2015 by the Board of Survey appointed by the then Director of Cultural Affairs to inspect the paintings and sculptures at the National Art Gallery had found that 42 paintings had gone missing.

Responding to a question by SJB MP Mujibur Rahman, the Minister said according to the physical verification survey, the official ledger and stock books show a collection of 281 paintings but the physical number of paintings is 239.

The Minister said a preliminary investigation has been initiated by an inquiry committee appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs in addition to the police investigation adding that evidence has has been recorded from relevent officials.