Suspects in Nugawela Adigars sword theft remanded till 17 Sept.

Three suspects who were in Colombo Crime Division (CCD) detention for  an alleged involvement  in the Colombo Museum robbery in which  a priceless ceremonial sword, two gem studded walking stick handles and a gold and silver worked belt said to be of Nugawela Adikaram were stolen, were remanded till  17 September.

The suspects were produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate Rashmi Singappuli by the CCD. Counsel Chandra Abeyratne objected the detention, submitting that the first suspect is a trishaw driver who was operating near the Kettharama Play grounds Grandpass. The other two suspects were engaged in the trade of buying and selling old coins and articles and that the

CCD had arrested them unreasonably without any proof and had obtained a detention order from court on 24 August. Counsel Abeyratne charged that the CCD is attempting to keep them in detention without any reasonable cause and that three other suspects had been arrested by the Piliyandala Police for the alleged involvement in the Museum robbery. That matter was fixed for inquiry on 17 September. He moved to remand the suspects until that date.    

According to a list filed by the CID, artefacts including 10 gold plated ceremonial swords, one gem studded cornelian gold ring, 93 gold coins18 silver rings, 50  silver coins, nine lead coins, 34 currency notes,  one gold and silver sword, two gem studded walking stick handles and one silver and gold worked belt were among the stolen articles.