Diamond swallower fined

Jayantha de SILVA

Colombo Chief Magistrate Rashmie Singappuli yesterday imposed a Rs. 100,000 fine in addition to a sentence of two years imprisonment suspended for five years, on the Chinese national who admitted to stealing a diamond valued Rs.1.8 million from the National Gem and Jewellery Authority Exhibition held at the BMICH last September.

The complainant is Suresh Christhoper Silva, a resident of Minuwangoda. Earlier,the National Gem and Jewellery Authority informed that the diamond retrieved from the accused was a fake. Police believe the accused’s accomplice had escaped with the stolen diamond. An interpreter was present at the proceedings.