Museum robbery:

Nugawela Adhikaram’s swords recovered from dustbin

Athapattu Bandara and Sudath Pubudu

The CID with the support of the Biyagama Pradeshiya Sabha recovered the sword and two Kastana swords used by Kandyan chieftain Nugawela Adhikaram stolen from the Museum, at a garbage dustbin at the Dimo Junction in Siyambalape, Biyagama yesterday. The garbage collection of this area is done by the Biyagama Paradeshiya Sabha.

These artifacts were found missing after the Museum robbery and the Police were looking for the suspects. Following the chief suspect's confession, the CID had questioned the labourers of the Pradeshiya Sabha who were on duty on the day that artifacts were dumped in the dustbin by the chief suspect.

The labourers had sold some of the items as scrap iron while the three swords were taken away to make sickles. Subsequently, the sword bearing the engraved name of Nugawela Adhikaram and two other swords were taken into custody from possession of the labourers by the CID.