Stolen artefacts: Museum superintendent and police spokesman give different versions

A kastane (ceremonial sword unique to Sri Lanka), two rings, a carnelian gemstone with a miniature carving of a female figure, some currency notes and small grain-like semi-precious stones are among the recovered artefacts that were robbed from the Colombo National Museum on March 16, a museum official told the Sunday Times.

However around 10 currency notes belonging to the British colonial era, 146 coins, including 96 gold and 46 silver ones, seven gold plated kastanes, including the one used by Kandyan Chieftan Nugawela Adikaram, three

Police are seeking public assistance to arrest Lansage Priyantha Mendis, the alleged main suspect in the robbery.

The public can call police on gem- studded walking sticks and a belt made out of golden threads also used by the chieftain were still missing, Museum Superintendent Ranjith Hewage said.

“By far the most important recovery was the carnelian gemstone with the miniature carving of a female figure, that belonged to the first century AD,” he said, adding that there were only two such stones in the museum collection. However, in contrast to the museum Superintendent’s figures, Police Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said two thirds of the stolen artifacts had been recovered.

He also refused to comment on whether or the not the Police had put together the missing pieces in the jigsaw puzzle of the robbery since the main suspect is at large, adding that if he divulged details it would hamper the investigations.