Suspects arrested with gold statues

G C M D Mahindasiri Devahuwa Group Corr.

The anti-corruption squad of the Dambulla Police ASP's Office on a sudden inspection of a van detected a five member group who were trying to sell three gold statues worth Rs eight million at the Diggala Junction in Galewela on Saturday.

Among the suspects was a former driver of a religious organization.The suspects were from Udugampola, Kurunegala and Galewela. The height of the largest statue was 18 inches and approximately 600 grammes in weight.

The high priest of the temple Ven. Devahuwa Chandrakande Thera from where the gold statues were robbed called over at the Police station and identified them. The Thera identified the gold statues as belonging to the Kandyan era. There suspects were to be produced before the Dambulla Police on Saturday.