Police call report from Archaeological Dept. regarding suspected artifacts

By Dayaratne Embogama and Kushan Jayawardene

The police have taken step to call for a report from the Department of Archaeology and the Gem and Jewellery Authority regarding some suspected ancient artifacts that have been seized along with a suspect.  

The individual who had in his possession a gold coloured statue of the Buddha, a 24 petal gold coloured lotus flower and several other objects attempted to sell them was arrested by Giranegama police during a raid in Ulpathayaya area.  

The police arrested him on information received from the public by the OIC Giranegama police.  

The suspect was transporting them to be sold to another individual when the police arrested him. Police said the statue was eleven centimetres tall and weighing a kilo. The gold coloured lotus was weighing 375grams and a Bo leaf 560grams.   

The 48 year old suspect was a resident of Halmillewa in Andiyagala.  

A police team under OIC Crime Investigations Branch SI Chandrasena had carried out the raid on the instructions of OIC Giranegama Police IP N.B.A.S.B. Nissanka.