Caught while attempting to sell the ancient Buddha statue

The Criminal Investigation Division of the Kandy Headquarters Police has succeeded in apprehending a group who attempted to sell a Samadhi Buddha statue of ancient value, stolen from the Mahiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya, in the Kandy area. Among the suspects arrested in connection with this incident are a monk from the Kurunegala area, two retired army warrant officers, and another civilian. Kandy Magistrate Chamara Wickramanayake has ordered all of them to be remanded until the upcoming 17th.

Police investigations have confirmed that this Buddha statue was stolen from the Mahiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya on October 23, 2025. Subsequently, on May 14, it was brought to Kandy city, where it is stated that the statue was hidden inside a car, some of its parts were cut and removed, and it was even subjected to a metallic examination to obtain relevant reports. The two retired army warrant officers residing in the Badulla area were directly involved in this process, and the car they arrived in was also taken into police custody while parked on Kumar Street in Kandy.

The suspects also used a deceptive tactic to show that the transportation of this statue was legal. They were found in possession of a forged letter prepared by a monk from a temple in the Ibbagamuwa area of Kurunegala, stating that the statue was being taken to Kandy for polishing and cleaning for devotees to worship in anticipation of the upcoming Vesak Poya. Police, who conducted investigations based on this letter, arrested the said monk, and during questioning, it was revealed that another party had given the statue to him. Accordingly, a resident of the Weweldeniya Mihintale area who assisted in this was also taken into police custody.

Police point out that the Mahiyangana Viharaya possesses an official archaeological certificate for this stolen Buddha statue. Accordingly, charges have been filed against the suspects under the Antiquities Ordinance No. 09 of 1940 and the new Amendment Act No. 24 of 1998, for damaging antiquities and attempting to steal and sell an ancient property. Based on information received by Kandy Headquarters Chief Police Inspector Rashika Sampath Pathirana, and under his instructions, a team of officers led by OIC of the Criminal Investigation Division, Police Inspector S.U.K. Liyanarachchi, including Sub-Inspector Bandara, Police Sergeants Indika (32870) and Kanaka (40869), and Police Constables Madusanka (69856) and Kanishka (87865), carried out this raid.