Divine Protection or Breach of Protocol? Keheliya’s Mysterious Possessions Spark Inquiry

 

Former Sri Lankan Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, currently held on remand at the Magazine Prison in Colombo, has drawn national attention following an unusual discovery made during a routine body search prior to his remand entry. Prison officials recovered a gajamuthu (elephant pearl), five pieces of unidentified brown plant matter, and a metal figurine of Arahant Sīvalī from the pocket of his trousers, prompting a criminal inquiry by the Borella Police.

The items, detected during intake screening on May 7, were seized and handed over to police for further examination. According to the Borella Crimes Division, the spherical gajamuthu weighed approximately 1.5 grams, while the metal figurine, inscribed with the name “Sīvalī Maha Rahathun Wahanse,” weighed 10.12 grams. The plant materials are currently undergoing forensic analysis.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Saman Kumara confirmed that the former minister was questioned for about an hour regarding the items.

“Mr. Rambukwella stated that the gajamuthu and the statue were kept for personal protection, while the plant matter was part of a herbal tea blend he regularly consumes,” Kumara noted. “We have submitted the items for laboratory testing to verify their contents.”

In an expert opinion, Government Analyst Prof. Sanath Jayasundara explained:

“A gajamuthu is typically a calcified mass found in elephants or the stomachs of certain ruminants, often valued in traditional medicine and believed by some to offer spiritual protection or good fortune. These items will be analyzed to confirm their composition.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Prisons clarified that all remand inmates are subjected to body and belongings searches upon entry.

“Unapproved items found are seized in accordance with prison regulations and handed over to law enforcement,” said Prisons Commissioner K.R. Nishantha.

The Police say that, depending on the results of the forensic reports, further legal action could be considered under the Prisons Ordinance for unauthorized possession of items within the remand facility. However, police sources also acknowledged that possession alone does not necessarily amount to a punishable offense if the items are not classified as weapons, narcotics, or contraband.

Responding to the incident, Premanath C. Dolawatta, legal counsel for the former minister, said:

“These items are neither illegal nor prohibited. The gajamuthu and statue were carried for spiritual protection, and the plant material is part of a medicinal tea blend for his health. This is not connected in any way to the charges under which my client was taken into custody.”

Retired Prisons Commissioner General Nihal Jayasinghe added that religious and spiritual items are not banned per se:

“Unless they can be used as weapons or conceal contraband, such items may be allowed on a case-by-case basis.”

The arrest of Mr. Rambukwella stemmed from allegations of misusing state funds by appointing associates to non-functioning roles during his tenure as Minister of Health, allegedly causing a loss exceeding Rs. 8 million to the government. He was taken into custody by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and was remanded until May 21 by order of Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Hettiarachchi.

The CIABOC confirmed ongoing investigations, noting that this new incident, while unrelated to the original charges, will be reviewed for any procedural or legal violations.

A senior prison official emphasized:

“All inmates, regardless of rank or position, are treated equally under prison protocol. Items found in violation of regulations are dealt with according to the law.”

Supporters of the former minister have maintained that the items in question are common to Sri Lanka’s socio-religious practices and should not be sensationalized.

As the legal and forensic processes continue, the case illustrates the increasingly complex intersection of spiritual belief, legal boundaries, and public accountability in Sri Lanka’s political landscape.