Stolen gold Buddha statue recovered

Edward Weerasinghe - Kelaniya group correspondent

Kiribathgoda police has arrested three suspects wanted in connection with stealing a Gold Buddha statue worth over Rs. 250 lakhs. Western Province North DIG H. S. Dayananda, SSP Kelaniya Kithsiri Ganegama, ASP Kelaniya Anton Sirikumara directing investigations conducted by OIC Kiribathgoda Police I. P. Chaminda Edirisuriya and SI S. N. S. Samarasinghe and a police party recovered the stolen Gold Buddha statue in a CTB bus plying from Hanwella to Colombo on last Sunday night.

According to police investigations the Buddha statue was robbed by a gang of four who entered the house of Former PS Member Kelaniya Gaminie Senadeera at Dalugama, Kelaniya. The main culprit, who is from Horana is evading arrest.

Police also said that a person had come to buy this Buddha Statue from the main suspect for Rs. 250 lakhs. He had brought an advance of Rs 50 lakhs, OIC Chaminda Edirisuriya said.

The recovered Buddha statue was carved in 1864 and weighs 10 kilos. The Owner of the Buddha statue said the valuable Buddha statue was given to him by his father for daily veneration.