Probe Launched into Missing Art Pieces in the National Art Gallery

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that an investigation has been launched into the misplacement of 42 ancient paintings from the National Art Gallery. 

Minister made this statement while responding to a question raised by Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Mujibur Rahman.

The Minister stated that an inventory inspection report submitted following a survey of paintings and sculptures conducted in 2015 had revealed inconsistencies in the collection, including several missing paintings.

Minister clarified that the National Art Gallery had been closed since 2012 for construction purposes. 

After conducting an inspection of the paintings and sculptures requested by the then Director of Cultural Affairs, at the National Art Gallery in 2015, it was found that although the total number of paintings was 281, only 239 paintings currently remain in the gallery leaving a discrepancy of 42 paintings from the total count. 

Accordingly minister stated that a committee has been appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and a preliminary investigation into the incident is already being carried out. 

The committee members are already recording statements from relevant parties. 

When asked about the date on which the National Art Gallery will be reopened, the Minister assured that the gallery would be opened to the public by the end of this year.