Brothers who fought over a Ganesha statue taken into police custody

Hali-Ela Police have arrested four brothers from the same family on suspicion, following a severe clash over a Ganesha statue and two donation boxes during a 'radam' procession at an annual 'Theru' festival held at a Devalaya (shrine) in Bogahamaditta, Hali-Ela.

According to the police, the 'Theru' festival at this shrine had been held for several days, and a 'radam' procession, carrying divine statues, was organized concurrently. For this procession, three 'radam' carts were prepared under the leadership of the four brothers, to carry statues of Lord Ganesha, Lord Kataragama, and Goddess Kali.

The dispute erupted as the procession was traveling from Hali-Ela town back to the Bogahamaditta Yelverton area at night. The conflict among the four brothers arose when one of the brothers, who was traveling in a 'radam' cart, attempted to keep two donation boxes found there, instead of handing them over to the shrine. At that moment, police officers deployed for the security of the procession immediately intervened and took steps to de-escalate the situation.

However, during this clash, police investigations revealed that one of the brothers had taken the Ganesha statue, which was being carried in the 'radam' cart, out of it and taken it to his home.

Currently, a large number of devotees are lined up on both sides of the Badulla - Hali-Ela main road, carrying offerings and fruit baskets, hoping to receive divine blessings. To ensure the procession continues without any inconvenience or hindrance to them, the organizers have placed a cardboard cutout of Lord Ganesha in the cart, allowing the procession to proceed uninterrupted.

Further investigations into this incident are being conducted under the direct instructions of Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Mahesh Senaratne (Uva Province), Deputy Inspector General of Police Laksiri Wijesena (Badulla Division), Senior Superintendent of Police Jagath Rohana (Badulla), and Assistant Superintendent of Police 1 Wehitha Deshapriya. Accordingly, a team comprising Hali-Ela Acting Police Station OIC Sub-Inspector Bandara, Sub-Inspectors Gamunu and Shanika, as well as Police Sergeants Jayasinghe (1477), Gunasinghe (54255), and Jayasinghe (86660), is leading the relevant investigations.