14 Arrested Over Abduction of Ancient Buddha Statue in Mawathagama

COLOMBO (News 1st) 14 people have been arrested in connection with the abduction of a Buddha statue of ancient value in the Mawathagama area.

Police said that they have also taken into custody the Buddha statue and two vans used for the abduction.

Police investigations were launched following information received that a Buddha statue at the residence of the Venerable Theros of Kebithigoda Purana Viharaya in Kahapathwala had been abducted

Police said that four people claiming to be officers of the Criminal Investigation Department had arrived at the temple on the 28th. 

Investigations revealed that they had taken the Buddha statue from the venerable Thero and abducted it.

The abducted statute was a 1 1/2 foot tall golden Buddha statue.

The arrested are residents of Minigamuwa, Theldeniya, Monaragala, Matugama, Matale and Rideegama areas, aged between 22 and 56.

The suspects have been remanded until the 13th after being produced before the Pilessa Magistrate.